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Hoylake tide times

Hoylake has wide tidal sands on the north Wirral coast, with the sea a long way out at low water and the water returning across flat sand. The tide times shown on this page are the predicted times for Hilbre Island, the nearest tide-prediction port, and are an estimate for Hoylake rather than a local forecast. Hoylake is not the start of the Hilbre walk: the recognised route begins at Dee Lane in West Kirby.

Local high and low water at Hoylake can differ by a few minutes from Hilbre. An estimate — not permission to go out on the sands. Check local signs and the RNLI advice below.

Next predicted high water at Hilbre Island, the nearest NTSLF port, is (8.5 m). Next predicted low water is (1.9 m). Times BST; actual levels can differ.

Calculated at UK time from NTSLF predictions for Hilbre Island. Predicted tides only. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Moderate tide (Hilbre Island) 8.9 m

Predicted tides at Hilbre Island, the nearest NTSLF port

  1. Predicted low water Predicted · Hilbre Island 1.9 m
  2. Predicted high water Predicted · Hilbre Island 8.5 m
  3. Predicted low water Predicted · Hilbre Island 2.0 m
  4. Predicted high water Predicted · Hilbre Island 8.9 m
  5. Predicted low water Predicted · Hilbre Island 1.6 m
  6. Predicted high water Predicted · Hilbre Island 8.8 m

Next 7 days at Hilbre Island

Sat 24

High 10:24 · 22:32

Low 04:42 · 17:00

Sun 25

High 09:56 · 22:07

Low 04:22 · 16:39

Mon 26

High 10:28 · 22:43

Low 05:01 · 17:18

Tue 27

High 11:03 · 23:22

Low 05:39 · 17:57

Wed 28

High 11:41

Low 06:17 · 18:39

Thu 29

High 00:05 · 12:23

Low 06:57 · 19:24

Fri 30

High 00:52 · 13:11

Low 07:40 · 20:14

Sat 31

High 01:47

Low —

Predictions run up to 7 days ahead. Times BST; actual levels can differ.

Know the hazards at Hoylake

Hoylake's sands flood quickly and gutters cut off the way back. Do not walk out to the sandbanks or towards Hilbre from here. Check tide times; stay near the shore.

Read the RNLI advice on the safety guide →

What is at Hoylake

Hoylake beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Wirral Council describes it as valued for its intertidal sands and mudflats and as a feeding and roosting area for waders and wildfowl. The shoreline is also covered by other conservation designations, so it is worth keeping to paths and the upper beach and leaving wildlife undisturbed.

The RNLI has a lifeboat station at Hoylake, and the Hoylake crews have rescued people cut off on the shore along the north Wirral coast, as the hazard note below explains.

Merseyrail's beach guide calls Hoylake beach a little quieter than West Kirby, and picks out Red Rocks for its rust-coloured dunes.

Red Rocks Marsh

Red Rocks Marsh is a 4-hectare SSSI on the Dee estuary managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, behind the Royal Liverpool Golf Course, with views out towards Hilbre Island. Cheshire Wildlife Trust lists dunes, reedbeds and marsh, more than 50 plant species and natterjack toads, which are known for their loud calls in the breeding season. Spring and autumn bring migrant birds such as redstarts, ring ouzels and wheatears.

The Trust says entry is free, dogs must be on a lead, and visitors should keep to the foreshore and marked paths and stay out of the reedbeds. Parts of the site may not suit people with limited mobility. For the wider picture of birds in the area, see Hilbre Island birds.

Getting there

Hoylake is a station on the Wirral line, between West Kirby and Manor Road, so the beach can be reached by train as well as by road. Parking and its charges vary and change, so check the signs where you leave the car rather than relying on this page.

Do not start for Hilbre from here. The recognised route begins at Dee Lane in West Kirby, and there is a full guide at Walk to Hilbre Island. Merseyrail also gives West Kirby as the place to set out from, a few minutes from the station.

Tides and hazards at Hoylake

The Hoylake tide times on this site are Hilbre Island's predicted times, labelled as such, because Hilbre is the nearest port with predictions. They are an estimate and not a local timetable. Heights and timing at the shore can differ, and weather and surge can move the water earlier or higher; see weather and surge and how tides work on Hilbre.

The RNLI advises checking tide times, weather and local signs before you go, carrying a way of calling for help, and dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard in an emergency. Do not walk out onto the sands in the dark or in fog. The safety page and cut off by the tide explain how people get into difficulty. For the whole coast see Wirral tide times.

Questions about Hoylake

Can I walk to Hilbre Island from Hoylake?

No. Do not start for Hilbre from Hoylake. The recognised route begins at Dee Lane in West Kirby. See the Walk to Hilbre Island guide.

Which tide times does the Hoylake page show?

Predicted times for Hilbre Island, the nearest tide-prediction port, labelled as such. They are an estimate for Hoylake, not a local forecast, and not permission to go out on the sands.

What is Red Rocks Marsh?

A 4-hectare SSSI managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust, with dunes, marsh, reedbeds and natterjack toads. Keep to the foreshore and marked paths, keep dogs on a lead and stay out of the reedbeds.

What should I do if someone is cut off by the tide?

Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Do not try to reach them across gutters or soft sand yourself.

Walking to Hilbre?This page shows predicted tides only. Crossing windows are only calculated for Hilbre, on the Hilbre crossing page. Start from Dee Lane only.

WalkHilbre fetches the Hilbre Island high and low water predictions shown here directly from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF), © 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.

Times from NTSLF predictions for Hilbre Island. NTSLF Hilbre page. No local adjustment is applied.

Sources