Bioluminescence Walk

This night walk will introduce you to some of the amazing creatures that venture out under the cover of darkness. We will cross the beach and head into the intertidal as we walk on the seabed around La Rocque. The south east coast of Jersey is situated within the internationally recognised and protected wetland that forms one of several designated Ramsar Sites, and stretches from La Collette in the west, to Gorey in the east. This walk is for adults only, and dogs are not permitted.

Protection of Flora and Fauna

The intertidal zone is a diverse and fragile environment, and we must do all we can to minimise the effect we have on this protected ecology, if we want to preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. By joining this walk, you are agreeing to abide by some basic guidelines: to walk with care and watch where you put your feet; to be gentle with any creatures that inhabit the intertidal, in and on the seabed and on or under rocks, and if you handle them only do so with wet hands; to gently replace any rocks and seaweed as close as possible to where they were, if we moved or lifted them while exploring; and to be quiet and not disturb any sea birds or marine wildlife we may encounter. We all have a duty of care to protect this unique environment and limit the damage we cause, or allow to be caused by our actions or the actions of others. My aim is to educate and inspire others to be as passionate as I am, and to protect this wonderful place.

Location

La Rocque Harbour – Meet near the yellow phone box, keep an eye open for an orange high visibility tabard, that'll be your guide. There are public toilets located at the near end of the pier which are normally open. There are external lights to show you where they are, and motion detecting lights inside.

Please arrive at least 10-15 mins early, so that we can sort the basics out and start on time.

Alcohol, drug use and disruptive behaviour Please do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol or take illicit drugs prior to or during the walk. Anyone who is repeatedly disruptive, or appears to be under the influence or impaired by drink or drugs will not be allowed to participate in my walks. Anyone found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is unnecessarily disruptive during a walk, may present an immediate risk to themselves and others, and could force the walk to be abandoned for safety reasons.

Photography

There will be photo opportunities throughout the walk. Please make it very clear to me and the others in the group, if you do not want to be included in any photographs, and every effort will be made to exclude you. Images captured on the walk may be published on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to tag us @intertidal_walks or @seaharephotography.

Safety Guidance

To participate in this walk, you will need to be reasonably fit, able to walk unassisted and prepared to be responsible for your own safety. I carry a first aid kit and have basic first aid training. The Coastguard will also be informed before the walk starts and ends.

Darkness and uneven surfaces

Due to the nature of the event, we will be walking on the beach and in the intertidal zone. We will encounter rocks, seaweed, sand, gravel, low lying pools and other areas of water. It will also be dark, so be aware of your surroundings, take care where you place your feet and be mindful of where other people are in relation to you. Please stay close to the group and do not wander off, it is very easy to become disorientated and despite being relatively close to the shore, it is possible to get lost.

Clothing and Footwear Dress appropriately for the weather, wear wellies or other appropriate footwear that you don’t mind getting wet. Be prepared get walk through shallow water. Feel free to bring hiking poles or sticks if you use them.

Lights and Torches

If there is a new moon or it is cloudy, there will be no moonlight to guide us. Bring torches, red lights etc., but be aware that using them will destroy your night vision, and that of others near you, so please use them sparingly. This walk is best enjoyed in the dark, so let your eyes adjust and a whole new world will open up around you. If you have a UV or black light, bring it with you.

UV Torch Safety

Low powered UV torches will be available for your use free of charge. There is a small risk from the glare of the UV light, similar to spending time in bright sunlight without sunglasses, so if you do use one, please do so responsibly and do not look directly into the light, or shine it into anyone else’s eyes. Please be aware of where the beam from your torch is pointing at all times.

True ultraviolet light is invisible to humans, and at night our eyes don’t react the same way to light, as they do during the day. In other words, we need to remember to blink more when using the UV torches, to help our eyes to adjust in the low light.

Noise and respect for wildlife and other people Noise travels further at night without the background sounds of the day to dampen it. Let’s not upset the local residents, (animal and human), or anyone else who may be out enjoying the beach after dark, this includes the people who may be on the walk with us.

On occasion, I may need to give the group instructions, or answer questions, and this will be more difficult if people are not paying attention or chatting.

Potential Hazards

Walking is an inherently low risk activity. However, anyone walking around La Rocque in the dark needs to be aware that there are a few things to watch out for apart from bioluminescence, including to but not limited to: Motor vehicles – late night traffic on the road near the parking area. Slips, trips and falls – on or over rocks, uneven ground, slippery surfaces and mud, seaweed, mooring buoys and lines. Getting separated or lost – please don’t wander away from the group. It is easy to become disoriented in the dark, and you might not be spotted leaving. Incoming tide – anyone unfamiliar with the tides around Jersey may be unaware of the speed at which an incoming tide moves, especially along the south east coast. I will be keeping an eye on the time in relation to the state of the tide, but how quickly it moves may be affected by the wind, or air pressure, so please listen and act quickly in response to any instructions I give. Other people – such as other walking groups, fishermen or late-night dog walkers, in the area where we are walking.