About HilbreTides
Why We Built This
Every year, the RNLI and Coastguard are called out to rescue people who've been cut off by the tide at Hilbre Island. It happens more often than you'd think.
The problem is simple: the tide comes in fast across the flat sand. Really fast. What looks like plenty of beach can vanish in minutes, and suddenly you're stranded. Many visitors don't realize just how quickly things can change out there.
We built HilbreTides to make it dead simple to check whether it's safe to cross before you set off. Think of it as your pre-walk safety check - like checking the weather, but for tides.
The essential stuff - safe crossing times and today's tides - will always be free. We might add extras down the line (push notifications when it's time to head back, offline mode, that sort of thing), but the core safety information stays free. No exceptions.
About Hilbre Island
Hilbre is the largest of three tidal islands sitting just off West Kirby on the Wirral. The walk takes you from the mainland across to Little Eye, then Middle Eye, and finally to Hilbre itself - all accessible on foot when the tide's out.
A Bit of History
People have been visiting Hilbre for centuries. There's evidence of a medieval priory on the island, and it's served various roles over the years, including as a telegraph station. These days, it's all about the wildlife and the views.
Wildlife
This is what most people come for:
- Grey seals - There's a resident colony that hauls out on the rocks. Bring binoculars.
- Migratory birds - Hilbre sits on major flight paths, so birdwatchers have a field day.
- Marine life - The rock pools and intertidal zones are teeming with sea creatures.
Conservation
The island is a protected area. The Friends of Hilbre do brilliant work looking after it, so please respect the wildlife and take your rubbish home.
How HilbreTides Works
We pull official tide data from the Admiralty UK Tidal API - the same source used by professional mariners - and run it through the safety calculations that locals have used for years.
The Rules:
- Don't start crossing until 3 hours after high tide
- Be back on the mainland 3 hours before the next high tide
- If the tide's particularly high (over 9.5m), we add an extra safety buffer
- When the wind's strong, the tide can come in even faster - we flag this where possible
We update the data regularly and display it with countdown timers so you know exactly how much time you've got. Simple as that.
Real Incidents
This isn't theoretical. People get into trouble here regularly. Our Related News page documents actual RNLI callouts and Coastguard rescues at Hilbre Island - real incidents involving real people who thought they had more time than they did.
It's worth a read if you've never walked to Hilbre before.
Get in Touch
Questions? Spotted something wrong? Want to suggest an improvement?
Email: [email protected]
We read everything and genuinely appreciate feedback - especially if it helps us make the app more useful or safer.
Data & Disclaimers
Our Data Source:
Tide predictions come from the Admiralty UK Tidal API, which provides accurate forecasts for 607 stations around the UK, including Hilbre Island.
Contains ADMIRALTY® data: © Crown copyright and database right
The Important Bit:
HilbreTides is a planning tool, not a guarantee. Weather affects tides. Conditions change. Strong winds can push the tide in faster than predicted.
Always use your common sense. If the weather looks dodgy, if you're not confident, or if you're running late - don't risk it. The island will still be there tomorrow.
The walk to Hilbre Island is done at your own risk. Check conditions when you arrive, tell someone where you're going, and be prepared to turn back if things don't look right.
In an emergency: Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.