Forgotten Channel islands that look like the Bahamas – where cars are banned

A GROUP of islands that can be reached from the UK without a flight has been compared to both the Bahamas and the Seychelles.

Tropical islands are high on most people’s lists of preferred holiday destinations, but few think they can get to them without a long and expensive flight.

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However, a small archipelago in the Channel Islands could be the answer to their prayers, with sandy beaches, warm temperatures and clear blue seas.

Les Iles Chausey is ten miles from the north west coast of France, to the south of Jersey, and is made up of 52 islands, that become 365 when the tide is out, twice a day.

The islands have been described as “a little paradise” and compared to exotic locations much further afield than the Channel Islands, with Brits able to reach them without the need for a flight.

Despite being the largest archipelago in Europe, there are no cars on the islands.

Instead they are inhabited by little cottages connected by rocky paths.

Manche Tourism claims that Chausey “welcomes visitors from the mainland and offers them an escape from their everyday lives”.

Some of the best places to escape normality are the beaches, with some described as “perfect” for bathing.

Manche also say that ones in the south of the archipelago “look like the Caribbean”.

The Times were more specific about where the islands resembled after a visit, comparing them to “virgin Seychelles sands lapped by Bahamas-blue seas”.

One thing that makes the seas seem extra exotic is the wildlife, with dolphins known to swim close to shore.

Tiktoker Romy (@romy_kllr) was fortunate enough to capture some swimming alongside her boat when she visited Chausey last month.

Her video was seen by another French resident, who labelled the islands “our little paradise”.

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Away from the waters, hiking and cycling routes are other popular reasons for people to visit, although kayaking and windsurfing provide further excuses to stay at the seaside.

Getting to Chausey from the UK can be done without a plane, by getting the ferry from Poole in Dorset to Saint Malo in France.

From Saint Malo, it’s then just a short one-hour ferry journey to the islands.

There is only one hotel on the island, the Hotel du Fort et des Iles, where rooms are available from €79 (£68) per night.

Cottage stays, rentals and campsites are also available for visitors.

Meanwhile, these stunning British islands have dolphins, crystal clear waters and perfect sandy beaches.

And these are the passport rules for people from the UK visiting Jersey.

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