Wide tidal sands and the RNLI hovercraft station. Don't set off for Hilbre from here.
Hilbre times (nearest port)
Hilbre Island · West Kirby, Wirral
Hilbre Island Tide Times & Crossing Windows
Hilbre Island is a tidal island in the Dee Estuary, reached on foot from Dee Lane slipway in West Kirby via Little Eye and Middle Eye. WalkHilbre calculates a crossing window from predicted tides: an estimate, not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard first.
Today’s calculated crossing window
Outside calculated window
Calculated from NTSLF predictions
Calculated leave-by time
Back on the mainland by
Hilbre Island, Thursday 29 October: the last calculated window (15:23–21:18) has ended. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.
Warnings for this window
An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.
In darkness · RNLI advises not to cross
Calculated start window
–
Next predicted high water
How this is calculated
Calculated from NTSLF predicted high water using the RNLI’s 3½-hour minimum margin. Allow 45–60 minutes for the walk back. Full method
Calculated at UK time
Route and tide map
Drag the Tide Timeline below the map to preview predicted water levels · indicative only
Loading the tide map…
Indicative route only — not for navigation. The sands, channels and route on the day may differ.
Predicted tides today
- High water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 9.3 m
- Low water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 1.5 m
- High water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 9.1 m
- Low water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 1.6 m
Predicted times from NTSLF — an estimate, not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard.
Predictions from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility, © National Oceanography Centre. Heights in metres above Chart Datum. UK time.
Forecast conditions
Loading the forecast…
Calculated windows this week
Calculated from NTSLF predicted high waters. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.
- Today 29 Windows ended Today
- Fri 30 Calculated window 16:11–22:05 · night 03:52–09:38 Predicted
- Sat 31 Calculated window 17:07–23:01 · night 04:47–10:27 Predicted
- Sun 1 Night only night 05:51–11:29 · night 18:15–00:18 Predicted
- Mon 2 Calculated window 07:09–12:54 · night 19:38–01:54 Predicted
- Tue 3 Calculated window 08:35–14:23 · night 21:02–03:12 Predicted
- Wed 4 Calculated window 09:53–15:33 · night 22:13–04:12 Predicted
Data and confidence · sources, freshness and datum
- Predicted tides: NTSLF
WalkHilbre fetches the Hilbre high and low water predictions shown here directly from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF) (opens in a new tab), © National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool. NTSLF publishes times in GMT and heights in Chart Datum without meteorological effects; WalkHilbre displays Europe/London local time and keeps weather context separate.
Fetched at most every 12 hours. If they are more than 36 hours old, no window is shown.
- Observed levels: Environment Agency
Water levels measured at the Liverpool Gladstone Dock gauge, not at Hilbre. They calibrate the tide curve and show how far the sea is running from the prediction; they are never added to a predicted time. This uses Environment Agency tide gauge data from the real-time data API (Beta).
- Forecast: Open-Meteo
Forecast wind, rain chance, visibility and temperature. They are forecasts, not measurements, and a forecast more than 3 hours old is not used. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in a new tab).
Heights are in metres above Chart Datum, which at Hilbre is 4.93 m below Ordnance Datum Newlyn (NTSLF datum table (opens in a new tab)). Times are UK time (GMT or BST).
What the calculated window does and doesn’t account for
It follows predicted tides only. A storm surge, strong wind or low pressure can raise the water above the prediction and flood the route sooner than any time shown here, and it cannot see the sands, channels or conditions on the day. Treat every time as an estimate, not permission to cross, and check the Dee Lane noticeboard.
The walk at a glance
- each way from Dee Lane
- ~2 miles
- each way for most walkers
- 45–60 min
- Local Nature Reserve, no charge
- Free
- RNLI-advised minimum before high water
- 3½ hrs
Read more: visiting Hilbre, the Hilbre Island guide, getting to West Kirby, how the window is calculated, the FAQ and the safety guide.
Quick answers
Can you walk to Hilbre Island today?
WalkHilbre's calculated window starts 3 hours after high tide and ends 3.5 hours before the next high tide. The RNLI advises walking out from three hours after high tide and returning at least three and a half hours before the next high tide. WalkHilbre applies this cautiously, as the latest time to be back on the mainland at Dee Lane, off the sands. Start back from Hilbre by the calculated leave-by time, 60 minutes before the window ends. Check the calculated window at the top of the WalkHilbre home page, current conditions and the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out. The WalkHilbre safety guide at walkhilbre.co.uk/safety explains the route and the RNLI advice. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.
How long does it take to walk to Hilbre Island?
The recognised route from Dee Lane slipway in West Kirby is roughly two miles each way and takes most walkers 45 to 60 minutes each way. Allow time to explore and return well within the crossing window. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.
Is Hilbre Island free to visit?
Yes. Hilbre Island is a Local Nature Reserve managed by Wirral Council and there is no admission charge.
Where do you start the walk to Hilbre Island?
Start at Dee Lane slipway beside West Kirby Marine Lake, then follow the recognised route via Little Eye and Middle Eye to Hilbre Island.
Is it safe to walk to Hilbre today?
WalkHilbre can’t tell you that — no website can see the sands. The calculated window at the top of this page shows today’s calculated window, which is an estimate and not permission to cross. Before you set out:
- Read the Dee Lane noticeboard before you set out.
- Check the weather, the forecast wind and the visibility yourself.
- Do not attempt the crossing in darkness or fog; the islands have no lighting.
- Decide for yourself whether to cross, and turn back early if in doubt.
- If anyone is in danger, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The RNLI advises walking out from three hours after high tide and returning at least three and a half hours before the next high tide. WalkHilbre applies this cautiously, as the latest time to be back on the mainland at Dee Lane, off the sands.
2
published RNLI West Kirby reports so far in 2026
- 31 May 2026 — Four West Kirby lifeboat taskings in four days around the islands (opens in a new tab)
- 7 February 2026 — Two walkers and a dog rescued between Middle Eye and Little Eye (opens in a new tab)
Counted from published RNLI news reports, not from incidents. See all → Dated rescues log →
As featured in
- West Kirby Today (opens in a new tab)19 September 2026
- Wirral Globe (opens in a new tab)21 September 2026
- Liverpool Standard (opens in a new tab)21 September 2026
- The Lake (opens in a new tab)Sept/Oct 2026 issue, p.33
- Heswall Magazine (opens in a new tab)Oct 2026 issue, p.26
Around the Wirral
Nearest-port tide predictions and shore guides for other spots on the peninsula. Tides only — WalkHilbre calculates crossing windows for Hilbre alone.
Shore walks between Hoylake and Leasowe.
Hilbre times (nearest port)
Long flat beach and Leasowe Lighthouse.
Liverpool times (nearest port)
Promenade, Fort Perch Rock and the lighthouse at the mouth of the Mersey.
Tides only
Red sandstone cliffs and Wirral Country Park on the Dee shore.
Guide — times not shown
Dee shore sands and mud that dry out at low water.
Guide — times not shown
Old sea wall where the biggest tides reach the marsh.
Guide — times not shown
Local safety news
WalkHilbre update
How the crossing window is calculated, now published
A new page sets out the rule, the data sources, what it can’t account for and a change log.
Read the method →RNLI rescue
Four West Kirby lifeboat taskings in four days around the islands
Half-term call-outs included two people brought ashore after being cut off and a search near Middle Eye.
Source: RNLI West Kirby (opens in a new tab)RNLI rescue
Two walkers and a dog rescued between Middle Eye and Little Eye
They were cut off as the tide rose quickly between the islands and were brought ashore by West Kirby lifeboat.
Source: RNLI West Kirby (opens in a new tab)Add the crossing widget to your website
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Hilbre tide predictions from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF), © National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool. Used with permission. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0).