Tenby tide times

Tenby is a walled medieval town on the Pembrokeshire coast of southwest Wales, with two main beaches — North Beach and South Beach — separated by the headland on which the old town walls still stand. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park surrounds the town on three sides. Tidal range is macrotidal: mean spring range around 4.7 metres, neaps about 3.1 m. At low water on a spring tide, both beaches expand considerably and Caldey Island (4 km offshore) is surrounded by exposed reef platforms.

Caldey Island is one of the key Tenby experiences. A Cistercian monastic community has been based there since 1929; the monks produce perfume and shortbread sold at the island shop. The passenger ferry runs from Castle Beach in Tenby from Easter through October, with services timed around the tidal conditions — the boat uses the harbour slip below the old town walls. The island has cliff walks, a lighthouse, and several beach bays that are entirely devoid of commercial development.

The Pembrokeshire coast is one of the finest sea kayaking destinations in Britain. The tidal currents through Caldey Sound and around the headlands (Giltar Point, Stackpole Head, St Govan's Head) are powerful on springs; the sea cliffs contain extensive cave and arch systems accessible only by sea. The Pembrokeshire Sea Kayak Trail is a multi-day route along the full national park coastline. Most guided trips depart from Tenby or from Manorbier Bay.

Surfing in south Pembrokeshire centres on Manorbier Bay (10 km west) and Freshwater West (20 km west), rather than Tenby's sheltered beaches. The Bristol Channel swell window produces rideable surf from southwest storms in autumn and winter. Freshwater West is exposed and powerful — beautiful for photographs, demanding for surfing, and has strong rip currents in swell.

For families, South Beach is the main destination — 2.5 kilometres of sand that fills with people in July and August but is wide enough at low tide to accommodate them. Crabbing lines off the harbour walls is the standard child's activity; the harbour dries at low water but crabs hold in the pools near the wall base. Rock pooling on the north side of the headland at low spring tides reveals the Pembrokeshire intertidal fauna: starfish, shore crabs, hermit crabs, anemones.

Tide predictions on this page come from Open-Meteo Marine, a gridded global ocean model, cross-referenced with UK Environment Agency gauge data. For the most accurate local predictions, consult the UK National Tide Gauge Network via CEFAS or the UKHO's EasyTide service.