Facts: Tides

Facts About the Dangers of the Tides

Around 10 million people in the UK and Ireland have been—or nearly been—cut off by the tide in their lifetime, with nearly 60% expressing shock at how quickly the water advanced. 

The majority of those who require rescue are walkers or visitors who never intended to enter the water.

Here are a few other highly surprising facts about tidal cut-offs:

• It isn't just a slow, straight climb: People often believe the tide comes straight in toward the shore. In reality, it rarely does this. Instead, water rushes laterally through uneven channels and creeks, which quickly separates sandbanks and headlands from the mainland.

• Lack of tidal literacy: Research by Bangor University and the RNLI reveals that four in ten people lack basic knowledge about how tides work. Furthermore, only a quarter of the public can accurately read a tide table.

• High-risk areas: Coastal regions like Wales see a disproportionately high number of incidents, with nearly 10% of all RNLI lifeboat launches over the last decade attributed to people getting stranded.

• What to do: If you do get trapped by the tide, find a safe spot, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Would you like to find out how to check the exact tide times for your local coastline or somewhere you are planning to visit?

See tides here: