Wells

Water safety advice for visitors to Wells-next-the-Sea.

Wells Water Safety Map

Our updated safety leaflet provides advice and a map for staying safe around the sea on Wells and Holkham beaches and the saltmarshes. You can download and view or print a PDF version here...

Download the map - updated 27/5/2022

Getting cut off by the tide at Wells

Our water safety officer walks out on Wells beach to the dangerous area by the harbour entrance and finds herself cut off by the incoming tide... a short video that shows just how easy and frightening it is to get caught out here. Always check the time of high water and make sure you are back on the main beach or dry land at least fours hours beforehand!

Time-lapse tide rising in Wells quay

The tide rises quickly in Wells quay and the harbour channel at a speed that can sweep you off your feet once it is up to your knees. Be safely off the marsh and sands and back on the quayside four hours before the time of high water.

Wells beach time-lapse of tide coming in

The beach and sands at Wells disappear twice a day when the tide comes in... this time-lapse video shows the difference. Make sure you are back on land or the main beach by the beach huts once the tide starts to come in.

Cut off by the tide on Stiffkey marshes

Footage from an inshore lifeboat service to rescue people cut off by a large spring tide on Stiffkey marshes in March 2025 with a commentary and advice by our water safety officer Mandy Humphreys who was also on the ILB crew that day...

Don't get cut off by the tide

Sandbars at Wells beach

Swimming Around Wells... safety advice

Advice for swimmers in and around Wells Harbour....

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A chat with Coastwatch Wells

A chat with the volunteers at NCI Coastwatch Wells

Download the podcast (mp3 file) to play later

Lifeguard patrol on the sandbars 21/07/25

Water Safety Officer Mandy talks to Wells Lifeguards who now patrol the sands to the west of Wells harbour entrance on the flood tide to help prevent people being cut off by the tide, taking them out of danger and reducing the number of incidents where the inshore lifeboat has to be called out.
 

Download the podcast to play later (mp3 file)

A chat with Wells Lifeguards

A chat with some of our RNLI Lifeguards on patrol on Wells beach in the Summer months

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Saving Olive the dog 29/12/24

Crew members Simon and Mandy discuss the rescue of Olive the dog (and family) after the station's traditional Christmas and New Year exercise

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Interview with Inshore Lifeboat Helm

An interview with Wells Inshore Lifeboat Helmsman James Betteridge discussing people cut off by the tide

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Swimming at Wells Podcast

Your local Water Safety Officer Mandy Humphries chatting with Chris Thomson

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Kayaking at Wells Podcast

Chris Thomson chatting about kayaking and paddle-boarding in Wells

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Dinghy sailing at Wells Podcast

A chat with local sailor Chris Thomson

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