WalkHilbre
999

Meols tide times

Meols has a long, flat shore on the north Wirral coast where the sea goes a long way out at low water and a strip of beach remains at high water. The times shown here are the predicted tide times for Hilbre Island, the nearest port, and are an estimate for Meols rather than a local forecast. The shore is easy to reach from the station, and the hazard is the gutters and sandbanks beyond the beach.

Local high and low water at Meols 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 Meols

Gutters between the shore and the sandbanks fill from behind and can leave no way back to the sea wall. Check tide times and keep to the upper beach.

Read the RNLI advice on the safety guide →

What is at Meols

Merseyrail's beach guide says that at low tide the sea recedes a long way at Meols, leaving plenty of space on the sand, and that at high tide a strip of beach remains with the promenade still a good place to walk.

Meols lies within the North Wirral Coastal Park, which Wirral Council describes as following the coastline between Dove Point at Meols and Kings Parade at New Brighton. Walking, cycling, jogging, picnics, horse riding and bird watching are listed among its activities.

Getting there

Meols has its own station on the West Kirby branch of the Wirral line, so it can be reached without a car. The coastal park also gives a continuous route along the shore to Leasowe and beyond.

Car parking and charges change from time to time, so follow the signs where you stop. The same advice applies to toilets and cafes: they are not covered by the sources used for this page, so check locally.

What to see

The coastal park lists bird watching among its activities. Watch from the promenade or the upper beach rather than walking out after birds on the sands.

For more on the birds of the nearby island, see Hilbre Island birds.

Tides and hazards at Meols

The tide times here are Hilbre Island's predicted times, labelled as such. They are an estimate for Meols and not permission to go out on the sands; weather and surge can change the timing and height, as explained at weather and surge.

The RNLI hovercraft from Hoylake has been called to people cut off on this shore. In February 2025 a dog walker was stranded on a sandbank near Barber's Folly and tried to cross a tidal gutter to reach the sea wall. In February 2023 the RNLI urged people to check tides after walkers were cut off between Barber's Folly and Leasowe Lighthouse. Gutters fill from behind the sandbanks, so the water that blocks the way back can appear before the main tide reaches you.

Check tide times and local signs, keep to the upper beach and the promenade, and do not walk out in the dark or in fog. Read cut off by the tide and the safety page. In an emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. The full set of times is at Wirral tide times.

Questions about Meols

Which tide times does the Meols page show?

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

Why do people get cut off at Meols?

Tidal gutters between the beach and the sandbanks fill from behind, which can leave no way back to the sea wall. The RNLI has rescued dog walkers from sandbanks near Barber's Folly.

Is Meols good for a walk at high tide?

Merseyrail says a strip of beach remains at high tide and the promenade is still a good place to walk. Keep to the promenade and upper beach.

Can I get to Meols by train?

Yes. Meols has a station on the West Kirby branch of the Wirral line. Check Merseyrail for current services.

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