Coastal safety advice

Safety advice for beach users, swimming in the sea and when there are high and low tides.

What safety advice do you have for beach users?

To ensure that residents and tourists are able to fully enjoy the East Riding coast, the council would like to issue a reminder about potential safety issues on beaches and cliff tops.

Long stretches of the East Riding's 85-kilometre coastline are affected by coastal erosion as a result of natural processes. Cliff losses linked to coastal erosion can occur at any time of the year and both visitors and residents are advised to take care on the beaches and cliff tops, by following the safety tips below.

When on the beach:

  • take note of the predicted tide times and any storm warnings from the Environment Agency (these can be found at on the Environment Agency's website: Environment Agency (opens in new window)
  • do not walk at the foot of cliffs as they are unstable. Never choose the base of the cliffs as a spot for sunbathing or picnicking
  • do not attempt to climb the cliffs
  • beware of falling rocks and debris from the cliff top
  • never touch or take away objects that have been revealed as the result of an erosion incident. To report suspicious items or coastal problems/incidents, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard, giving the location of the issue. This will assist in ensuring a prompt and accurate response from the emergency services
  • avoid any structures or debris, including the remnants of historic military infrastructure.

When on the cliff top:

  • treat all cliffs as dangerous. Children and pets should be supervised and kept under control at all times
  • do not throw any items off the cliff top onto the beach
  • do not try to access the beach from the cliff top (other than from a signed and designated beach access point)
  • keep away from all cliff edges as they may be dangerously undercut by wave action. Adhere to any signs or barriers restricting access or warning of danger
  • do not climb down cliffs as they are unstable and can crumble without warning.

Other safety advice can be found by downloading the Explore the East Riding Coast booklet:

Explore the East Riding Coast (pdf 3.2mb)

Where is it safe to swim in the sea?

Care should be taken at all times when swimming in the sea. During the summer holidays, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguard service is in operation at the resort beaches and they promote a 'swim between the flags' service, which means they will patrol a designated area of the beach and sea.

On occasions, it is necessary to restrict activities and even close a beach and access to the water. Where this occurs we follow the procedures identified on the RNLI water safety advice website:

RNLI Safety Advice (external website)

When are the high and low tides?

Tide times vary every day throughout the year. Due to the difference in tide times along the coast, please use this link to find the current high tide details in your chosen location:

Tide Times (external website)

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