25-05-2025
I'm a female solo traveller... and here is why I feel safest on a tiny island where streetlights are BANNED
The Channel Islands are known for attracting wealthy tycoons looking to avoid hefty income tax back home.
But more recently, a new crowd has been attracted to their idyllic shores.
Women travelling on their own, or 'female solo travellers' to borrow the internet-friendly phrase, are flocking to the tiny island of Sark.
Nestled between Guernsey and Jersey, Sark is the sunniest of the islands where cars are banned, beaches are plentiful and the population is roughly 500.
'It's really safe you can walk around in the middle of the forest at night, it's crazy,' explained Tara Price, a 30-year-old Australian woman who came to the island to work and travel.
'There's no streetlights, so you need a torch to get around.'
Sark is the world's first-ever designated dark sky island because street lights are banned and light pollution is practically non-existent.
The only way to navigate the empty island at night is using light from the moon or in the case of most tourists, strapping a headlight on and using a map.
Even though walking around in dark open spaces is considered one of the most dangerous things a woman could do on her own - in Sark, it's normal and perfectly safe.
Ms Price explained: 'The worst thing you get is a drunk person that you know walking by.
'It's safe to walk anywhere, leave your bike anywhere, everyone's friendly and trustworthy.'
The island has become a safe haven for young women looking to work, save and eventually travel elsewhere.
Amie Strode, 21, came to work in Sark over their tourism 'season', which runs from March to October.
During this period of time there are plenty of available jobs and accommodation on the island for those looking to travel, live, and save some money without paying income tax, capital gains tax, or VAT.
The Oxfordshire native visited the island by herself for two weeks in October and praised the freedom that living on an island with only the occasional case of petty crime can bring.
Cerys Lockeridge, 24, has been returning to the island every season for the past two years since graduating university.
The only way to navigate the empty island at night is using light from the moon or in the case of most tourists, strapping a headlight on and using a map
Walking around in dark open spaces is considered one of the most dangerous things a woman could do on her own, but in Sark it's normal and perfectly safe
'My mum was really worried when I first came here and then she visited and said it's fine,' Ms Lockeridge told MailOnline.
'You can walk home and not be worried about getting hit by a car. Someone might nick the occasional bike but they tend to get found out.
'You can go in a walk and not see anyone it's just peaceful and beautiful.'
But moving to Sark is not for the faint-hearted.
The only form of transport is walking, biking, horseback or horse-drawn carriage and food is only delivered to the island twice a week, so food variety is limited.
However, it is the perfect place to disconnect from external pressure and spend a week unwinding alone.
Elsie Courtney, 79, who works at the island's only tourist office says female solo travellers have always been attracted to the island because of its low crime rates.
'We've always had a lot of solo female travellers,' she explained. 'Recently, we've seen an increase in single ladies coming.'
She added: 'I was born and bred here and we've had a lot of women come here, it's a safe place, it's a safe place for anyone.
'Sark is too small to do anything untoward because they wouldn't get away with it.'
Ms Courtney explained that women have been making the trek to the remote island from Switzerland, Germany, France, Australia and the UK.
And that many compare their experiences to time spent in Thailand or New Zealand.
These comparisons are likely drawn from the landscape.
When visiting Sark one can expect sweeping coastlines, crystal clear water and vast green fields dotted with seasonal plants.
The activities on the 5.5 km-long by 2.5 km-wide island lend themselves to the scenery and are perfect for those looking for an adventure.
Tourists can expect kayaking tours, seal spotting, swimming, sunset hikes and star gazing.
All within the comfort of knowing that the islanders simply want you to love their small but mighty home just as much as them.
'Sark fits the magical ideal of an Enid Blyton novel,' explained the Seneschal of Sark.
'We have people that come here for work and they stay because you either love it or you just think meh.
'But an awful lot of them arrive with a couple of small bags and 15-20 years later they're still here because it's a community.
'It still has a community ethos and people do genuinely want it help other.'
