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Wales · United Kingdom

Tenby tide times

Tide is currently rising — next high in 1h 40m

3.45 m / 11.3ft
Next high · 06:00 BST
Heights relative to MSL · 2026-05-16Coef. 96Solunar 4/5

Tide times at Tenby on Saturday, 16 May 2026: first low tide at 01:00, first high tide at 06:00, second low tide at 12:00, second high tide at 18:00. Sunrise 05:26, sunset 21:04.

Next 24 hours at Tenby

-4.6 m-0.2 m4.3 mHeight (MSL)05:0009:0013:0017:0021:0001:0016 May17 May☀ Sunrise 05:24☾ Sunset 21:06H 06:00L 12:00H 18:00L 01:00nowTime (Europe/London)

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Model-derived from a global ocean grid. Useful indication; expect about ±45 minutes on average vs. a local harmonic gauge, individual stations vary widely. See /methodology for per-region detail. Not for navigation.

Sun, moon and conditions on Sat 16 May

Sunrise
05:26
Sunset
21:04
Moon
New moon
3% illuminated
Wind
7.6 m/s
286°
Swell
0.3 m
5 s period
Water temp
12.2 °C
Coefficient
96
Spring cycle

Conditions as of 05:00 local time. Refreshes daily.

Highs and lows next 7 days

Today

3.5m / 11.3ft06:00
-3.9m / -12.7ft12:00
Coef. 96

Sun

3.5m / 11.5ft07:00
-3.9m / -12.6ft01:00
Coef. 100

Mon

3.5m / 11.3ft07:00
-4.0m / -13.2ft01:00
Coef. 99

Tue

3.5m / 11.4ft08:00
-3.9m / -12.7ft02:00
Coef. 96

Wed

2.9m / 9.5ft09:00
-3.7m / -12.1ft03:00
Coef. 86

Thu

2.3m / 7.6ft10:00
-3.5m / -11.5ft04:00
Coef. 78

Fri

1.9m / 6.3ft11:00
-3.1m / -10.2ft05:00
Coef. 68
All extrema (7 days)
DayTypeTimeHeightCoef.
Sat 16 MayHigh06:003.5m / 11.3ft96
Low12:00-3.9m / -12.7ft
High18:003.5m / 11.4ft
Sun 17 MayLow01:00-3.9m / -12.6ft100
High07:003.5m / 11.5ft
Low13:00-4.0m / -13.1ft
High19:003.6m / 11.9ft
Mon 18 MayLow01:00-4.0m / -13.2ft99
High07:003.5m / 11.3ft
Low14:00-3.9m / -12.8ft
High20:003.6m / 11.7ft
Tue 19 MayLow02:00-3.9m / -12.7ft96
High08:003.5m / 11.4ft
Low15:00-3.5m / -11.4ft
High21:003.3m / 10.8ft
Wed 20 MayLow03:00-3.7m / -12.1ft86
High09:002.9m / 9.5ft
Low15:00-3.4m / -11.2ft
High21:002.8m / 9.2ft
Thu 21 MayLow04:00-3.5m / -11.5ft78
High10:002.3m / 7.6ft
Low16:00-3.1m / -10.1ft
High22:002.4m / 8.0ft
Fri 22 MayLow05:00-3.1m / -10.2ft68
High11:001.9m / 6.3ft
Low17:00-2.8m / -9.0ft
High23:002.1m / 6.8ft

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived. · Not for navigation.

Today's solunar windows

The angler tradition for major/minor fishing windows: major ≈3-hour windows around moon transit and opposition; minor ≈2-hour windows around moonrise and moonset. Times are Europe/London local. Folk tradition, not a scientific forecast.

Major
10:21-13:21
22:49-01:49
Minor
03:13-05:13
18:52-20:52
7-day window outlook
  • Sat
    2 M / 2 m
  • Sun
    1 M / 2 m
  • Mon
    2 M / 2 m
  • Tue
    2 M / 2 m
  • Wed
    2 M / 1 m
  • Thu
    2 M / 2 m
  • Fri
    2 M / 2 m

Cycle dates near Tenby

Next spring tide on Sun 17 May (range 7.6m / 25.1ft). Last neap on Sat 16 May. Next neap on Fri 22 May.

Spring tides cluster around new and full moons (biggest swings). Neap tides land on quarter moons (smallest swings). See the spring tide and neap tide glossary entries for the why.

About tides at Tenby

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.

Tide questions about Tenby

What is the tidal range at Tenby?

Tenby has macrotidal conditions — mean spring range of about 4.7 metres. At low water on a spring tide, the beaches expand dramatically and the harbour dries completely. North Beach and South Beach are fully accessible across most of the tidal cycle, but the widest sand sections and the best rock pooling are only accessible in the 2 to 3 hours around low water on spring tides.

How do I get to Caldey Island?

Caldey Island passenger ferries depart from Castle Beach in Tenby, Easter through October. The service is operated by licensed boatmen and runs frequently in summer (every 20 to 30 minutes when busy). Journey time is about 20 minutes. Services depend on weather and tidal conditions; the boats may not run in strong winds or rough seas. Last return time varies by season — check with the Tenby harbour office on arrival. Dogs are not permitted on the island.

Is sea kayaking around Tenby suitable for beginners?

The Tenby area has tidal currents that are not suitable for beginner kayakers without a guide. Caldey Sound in particular runs 2 to 3 knots on spring tides, and the exposed headlands around St Govan's and Stackpole produce powerful tidal races. Guided trips are available from Tenby and Manorbier — providers adjust routes for conditions and skill level. Independent paddling in the sheltered bay immediately in front of Tenby (Carmarthen Bay side) is calmer, but requires awareness of ferry traffic.

What is the best beach for families near Tenby?

South Beach, directly south of the old town walls, is the main family beach — 2.5 km of sand with lifeguard coverage in summer and good facilities. Castle Beach (below the castle, between the town headland and the harbour) is smaller but sheltered and has rock pools. North Beach is also sandy and wide at low tide, facing northeast and less sheltered than South. All three are within walking distance of the town centre.

Are there surf spots near Tenby?

Tenby's own beaches face east into Carmarthen Bay, which has too little swell fetch for consistent surfing. The main Pembrokeshire surf spots are to the west: Manorbier Bay (10 km), Freshwater East (8 km), and Freshwater West (20 km). Freshwater West is a National Trust beach with exposed, powerful southwest swell — best for experienced surfers. Manorbier is more sheltered and better for intermediates. Both work best on southwest to west swells in autumn and winter.
Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Not for navigation. Page generated 2026-05-16T03:20:24.058Z. Predictions refresh daily.