A heavy swell and approaching darkness made the rescue demanding on the skills of the lifeboat crew.
A call was received by the emergency services control centre at 8.05pm last night (3).
Police were sent to the west coast, where the children appeared stranded on the rock known locally as 'K2.'
Controllers decided that the best option was to launch the RNLI's inshore lifeboat, given the approaching darkness and rising spring tide.
The swell was too strong to get close, so the five, who had been there for the rock jumping, were told to jump individually into the sea, and were thrown a line to get them on board.
Coastguards say the 'helm and crew of the ILB demonstrated immense skill and determination in completing the task before sunset.'
The children were landed at Port Soif and checked over by an ambulance crew, but none needed treatment.
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