The way travellers reach the Channel Islands by sea has changed considerably in recent years. These changes are likely to affect those seeking to take their MotorCaravan to the islands.
Once dominated by Condor Ferries for over six decades, the landscape now features new operators, routes, and vessels. They now provide visitors and islanders alike with fresh options for their journeys.
Condor Ferries: A Legacy of Service
Condor Ferries began its operations in 1964. Initially ferrying passengers between Jersey, Guernsey, and France. In 1987, it expanded to include routes from the UK mainland, introducing a high-speed car ferry service to Weymouth in 1993. This established Condor Ferries as the primary maritime link between the UK and the Channel Islands for many years.
Ownership Changes and New Operators
In November 2019, Condor Ferries was acquired by a consortium led by Brittany Ferries. They held a minority stake, alongside the London-based Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund. In 2025 Brittany Ferries became the sole owner of Condor Ferries
Jersey’s New Partnership with DFDS
With the conclusion of their contract with Condor Ferries, both Guernsey and Jersey planned to sign up to one operator serving both Islands. Ultimately, they disagreed and both went different ways.
Jersey awarded its 20 year sea service contract to DFDS, a Danish-owned company. DFDS began serving Jersey in March 2025. They mainly utilise MV Stena Vinga, (ex Hammerodde) a roll-on/roll-off ferry to connect Portsmouth with Jersey carrying vehicles and foot passengers. Occasionally they operate HSC Levante Jet, a high-speed ferry running between Poole and St Helier for both passengers and vehicles.
Guernsey Chooses Brittany Ferries
Guernsey selected Brittany Ferries to operate its sea links for the next fifteen years. As part of Brittany Ferries’ acquisition, Condor Ferries is now integrated into the Brittany Ferries group.
The former Condor Islander has been renamed Islander, and looking good in her new livery, now services St Peter Port from both Poole and Portsmouth.
Clipper, which Condor used for 25 years on the same route is now working for Brittany Ferries on Portsmouth-Le Havre / Cherbourg service. She will return to the Channel Islands when either Islander or Voyager are withdrawn for scheduled maintenance.
Service to and from France
Voyager is a high-speed catamaran, capable of carrying around 850 passengers and 235 cars. She sails a high-speed services connecting Saint-Malo (France) with Guernsey and then onward to Poole. In peak season, she runs daily and in off-peak times, sailings are typically three times per week.
Voyager also operates a weekly service that includes Jersey in the rotation, connecting it with Saint-Malo and Guernsey on selected sailings.
Condor Liberation another high-speed craft previously operated by Condor Ferries, made her last commercial crossing on 23 March 2025. She has been laid up in Le Havre ever since.
Inter-Island Travel: Jersey to Guernsey
For those wishing to travel between Jersey and Guernsey with vehicles such as cars, campervans, or motorcycles, Brittany Ferries provides the only practical ferry option. Their inter-island service runs a once a week service from St Peter Port (Guernsey) to St Helier (Jersey) and back to Guernsey. The crossing time is approximately one hour each way.
There are other smaller ferry companies – Islands Unlimited (Guernsey-based) and Manche Iles Express which operates from Normandy. They have taken up the slack, but these are passenger only vessels and do not offer car carrying options
Travelling to the Channel Islands by sea now offers more choice and flexibility than ever before. With new operators and vessels serving both Jersey and Guernsey, visitors can enjoy a refreshed travel experience. However, it remains essential to check ferry schedules, especially for inter-island services, to ensure smooth passage for both passengers and vehicles.