Écréhous, Archipelago in Saint Martin, Jersey.
Écréhous is an archipelago off Jersey's east coast and consists of several small rocky islands that partially emerge from the water at low tide. The group forms a natural collection of reefs and rocks that change appearance depending on the tidal cycle.
The name comes from Norse settlers, with 'hou' derived from 'holm' meaning islet, and the location gained religious importance when it belonged to Val Richer Abbey in the Middle Ages. Monks established themselves there and built structures that occasionally served as beacons.
Medieval monks maintained a priory with a navigation light on the islands, serving both religious purposes and maritime safety for passing vessels.
You can reach the archipelago by boat from Jersey's east coast, with several local operators offering trips. The best time to visit is at low tide, when more land area is visible and exploration becomes easier.
The tides here are extreme and transform the landscape twice daily completely, making the archipelago a natural phenomenon. Witnessing this shift between water and rock is what visitors truly notice here.
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