Plan Your Visit
Whitby tide times, and the walks that depend on them
By Jon Cosson · Updated 18 October 2026
Check the official predictions before walking a beach or exploring rock pools. This guide links to tide services and the safety advice for coastal routes; it does not publish tide times.
Where to check Whitby tide times
ADMIRALTY EasyTide is the UK Hydrographic Office's free service for today and the next six days. Choose Whitby. Its guidance says the figures are predictions only and do not allow for wind or air pressure.
The Met Office beach forecast and tide times page is also linked by North Yorkshire Council.
Official beach and cliff safety advice
North Yorkshire Council warns about being trapped by incoming tides and says not to walk at the foot of unstable cliffs. In an incident, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The National Park Authority's fossil hunting and rock pooling guidance says to set out two to three hours before low tide and stay well away from the base of steep cliffs.
The National Trust's Yorkshire Coast advice says: Always check the tide times
, warning that the tide can move fast on its way in.
In its July 2024 Whitby rescue report, RNLI Whitby warned that the tide reaches the rocks east of Whitby even up to three hours before the scheduled high tide
. It asked anyone walking from the East Pier towards Saltwick to allow plenty of time to exit the beach. Conditions can bring the cut-off sooner; this is not a safe three-hour allowance.
Following a November 2024 tidal cut-off at Kettleness, RNLI Staithes and Runswick advised checking tide tables and being aware of the tide's direction to avoid getting cut off.
Places where the tide matters
| Place | Why it matters | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Saltwick Bay and the beach east of Whitby | The incoming tide can reach the rocks well before scheduled high tide. Allow time to leave the beach. | Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay cliff walk |
| Robin Hood's Bay to Boggle Hole on the beach | The shore route depends on the tide and a clear exit. | Robin Hood's Bay |
| Runswick Bay to Kettleness | RNLI has attended tidal cut-offs at Kettleness. Check the tide's direction as well as its times. | Runswick Bay |
| Fossil hunting: Runswick Bay, Robin Hood's Bay, Boggle Hole, Ravenscar, Saltwick Bay and Hayburn Wyke | These places are named in the National Park's coastal guidance. Foreshore access depends on the tide; keep away from cliff bases. | Fossil hunting, Ravenscar |
| The beach between Whitby and Sandsend | Walkers have been cut off below the West Cliff, so check the tide before walking the sand. | Whitby to Sandsend |
The Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay route in this guide follows the cliff path, not a continuous beach route. Beach detours need a separate tide check.
Check which clock the predictions use
EasyTide's guidance describes standard time and a manual BST adjustment. Its current display offers GMT and GMT+1: check which setting the table shows. Selecting GMT+1 does not automatically revert to GMT when British Summer Time ends.
How we know this
- First-hand
- Not yet
- Information checked
- 18 October 2026
- Sources
- UK Hydrographic Office, ADMIRALTY EasyTide; Met Office; North Yorkshire Council; North York Moors National Park Authority; National Trust; RNLI Whitby; RNLI Staithes and Runswick
Sources checked 18 October 2026: ADMIRALTY EasyTide, Met Office, North Yorkshire Council, North York Moors National Park Authority, National Trust and the two RNLI reports linked above.
Whitby tide questions
Where can I find Whitby tide times?
Choose Whitby in ADMIRALTY EasyTide, the UK Hydrographic Office's free service covering today and the next six days. The Met Office also publishes beach forecasts and tide times. Check the time setting and remember that tide figures are predictions.
How long before high tide should I leave the beach at Saltwick?
RNLI Whitby warns that the tide can reach rocks east of Whitby up to three hours before scheduled high tide, sometimes sooner in certain conditions. Allow plenty of time to leave the beach from the East Pier towards Saltwick; three hours is not a guaranteed safe window.
Can you get cut off at Robin Hood's Bay?
Yes. Beach walking towards Boggle Hole depends on the tide. Check predictions, the direction of the tide and your exit before setting off; the National Trust warns that the incoming tide can move fast.
What should I do if someone is cut off by the tide?
Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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