WalkHilbre
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West Kirby & Hilbre tide times

Predicted high and low water for West Kirby and the Hilbre gauge are listed below, kept separate from the calculated crossing window. Times are predictions and actual levels can differ. Follow the noticeboard at Dee Lane.

Today’s calculated crossing window

In darkness

Calculated from NTSLF predictions

Calculated leave-by time

Back on the mainland by

until the calculated window ends as at 01:48

Hilbre Island, Saturday 24 October: calculated window 00:56–06:51 (back on the mainland by 06:51; calculated leave-by time 05:51). An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out. RNLI advice: do not walk to the islands in the dark or fog.

Warnings for this window

  • The return leg ends before sunrise (07:56). RNLI advice: do not walk to the islands in the dark or fog.
  • Strong wind forecast during this window (up to 30 mph).

An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Calculated start window

–

Next predicted high water

Moderate tide 8.9 m · between springs and neaps
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

Saturday 24 October

  1. Low water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 1.87 m CD
  2. High water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 8.47 m CD
  3. Low water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 1.99 m CD
  4. High water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 8.94 m CD

Sunday 25 October

  1. Low water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 1.55 m CD
  2. High water NTSLF prediction · Hilbre 8.83 m CD

From NTSLF predictions, updated 23 Oct 23:00

Predicted times from NTSLF — an estimate, not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard.

Hilbre Island planning windows today

These modelled windows are separate from predicted high and low tide times. They apply the current RNLI timing guidance, but cannot assess weather, visibility, channels or conditions on the ground. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard immediately before setting out.

  • Calculated window runs Calculated leave-by time · back on the mainland by

    In darkness · RNLI advises not to cross

    Already on Hilbre? The calculated window runs 00:56–06:51: leave the island by 05:51, back on the mainland by 06:51. If you are cut off or unsure, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

    Warnings

    • The return leg ends before sunrise (07:56). RNLI advice: do not walk to the islands in the dark or fog.
    • Strong wind forecast during this window (up to 30 mph).
  • Planning window starts Calculated leave-by time · back on the mainland by

    Warnings

    • The return leg ends near or after sunset (17:58). Allow for failing light.
    • Strong wind forecast during this window (up to 37 mph).

From NTSLF predictions, updated 23 Oct 23:00

Calculated windows this week

Calculated from NTSLF predicted high waters. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

  1. Today 24 Calculated window 13:24–19:02 · night 00:56–06:51 Today
  2. Sun 25 Calculated window 12:56–18:37 · night 01:32–06:26 Predicted
  3. Mon 26 Calculated window 13:28–19:13 · night 01:07–06:58 Predicted
  4. Tue 27 Calculated window 14:03–19:52 · night 01:43–07:33 Predicted
  5. Wed 28 Calculated window 14:41–20:35 · night 02:22–08:11 Predicted
  6. Thu 29 Calculated window 15:23–21:20 · night 03:05–08:53 Predicted
  7. Fri 30 No window Predicted

What tide size means

Spring tides are the biggest of the fortnight: the day's highest predicted high water is 9.0 m above Chart Datum or more at Hilbre, and the flood is higher and faster. Neap tides are smaller, below 7.7 m. Tide size describes the tide only and never changes a calculated window.

Spring and neap tides in the glossary

Other tide words, such as surge and Chart Datum, are defined in the tide glossary.

Tide times are not crossing times

Low tide itself is not the start of the calculated crossing window. Use the separate modelled guidance alongside weather, local conditions and the Dee Lane noticeboard.

Allow for the complete return

The walk back usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. Start back from Hilbre by the calculated leave-by time so that you are back on the mainland by the end of the calculated window.

Start at Dee Lane

Use the recognised route beside West Kirby Marine Lake via Little Eye and Middle Eye.

West Kirby tide questions

What time is high tide at West Kirby today?

Today's predicted high-water times are listed in the tide table on this page. The actual water level can differ from a prediction with weather and surge, so check again shortly before travelling. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

What time is low tide at West Kirby?

Today's and tomorrow's predicted low-water times are shown alongside high water. Low tide itself is not the start of the calculated Hilbre crossing window. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

When can you walk to Hilbre Island from West Kirby?

Use the separate calculated crossing windows shown on this page. WalkHilbre starts the window three hours after high tide and ends it three and a half hours before the next high tide, the latest time to be back on the mainland under a cautious reading of the RNLI advice. Start back from Hilbre by the calculated leave-by time, an hour before the window ends. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Where does the Hilbre Island walk start?

Start at Dee Lane slipway beside West Kirby Marine Lake and follow the recognised route via Little Eye and Middle Eye.

Planning a walk?

WalkHilbre fetches the Hilbre 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.