Whitby tide times

The tide governs everything on the coast at the mouth of the Esk. Whether you are walking the beach to Sandsend, hunting fossils at Saltwick or crossing the sands to Boggle Hole, check the times before you set off.

Where to check

• BBC tide tables for Whitby give high and low water for the week ahead.
• Tide Times: Whitby shows the same in a simple table.
• Tide tables are also posted at the harbour, the lifeboat station and most seafront shops.

Why it matters

• Saltwick Bay is cut off at high water; the rock ledges flood quickly.
• The beach walk from Whitby to Sandsend is only possible around low tide. At high tide the sea reaches the cliff foot.
• Boggle Hole is reached along the beach from Robin Hood's Bay at low tide only; use the cliff path otherwise.
• Runswick Bay to Kettleness along the sand is a low-tide route.
• Whitby harbour is tidal; boat trips and the swing bridge openings depend on it.

The tide comes in faster than most people expect on the flat rock scars of this coast. Turn back well before high water, and never try to beat the tide round a headland.

The river

The Esk is tidal as far as Ruswarp weir, so the river level in Whitby and at Ruswarp rises and falls twice a day. Above the weir the river is not tidal but rises fast after rain.