What Time Does the Tide Go Out in Blackpool?
- Slingshot Marketing
- Oct 20
- 4 min read
Quick answer: There isn’t one fixed “out” time. Blackpool usually has two low tides each day, and the time of low tide shifts about 50 minutes later daily.
Plan beach time for the two hours either side of low tide on your chosen date. Check a tide table for your exact day, then keep your plans flexible.
Tide times change every day, so the best way to plan is to learn the simple pattern. Here’s how the cycle works and how to make the most of the seafront during your stay.
How the tide pattern works
Blackpool follows a semi-diurnal cycle. That means two highs and two lows most days.
Each full cycle takes about 12 hours 25 minutes, so tomorrow’s low tide is roughly 50 minutes later than today’s. Over a week, the “beach-friendly” window slides from morning to midday to afternoon and evening.
You will also notice spring tides (bigger highs and lower lows) around the new and full moon, and neap tides (smaller range) around the quarter moons. Spring lows reveal a wider beach for longer.
Planning without exact times
If you’re in town for a weekend, pick the day when low tide falls between late morning and mid-afternoon. You’ll get maximum daylight on the sand and an easy stroll back as the sea returns.
Staying longer? Aim for one big beach session and keep the rest of your plans simple: promenade walks, tram rides, and sunset photos. If you step out and the sea is at the wall, enjoy the Prom and try again a few hours later when the tide has dropped.
Safety on the sands
The beach can feel huge at low tide, but the sea often returns faster than it looks.
Head landwards early once the tide turns.
Avoid deep channels and pools; they can fill from behind.
Follow local signs and keep children within easy reach.
Choose a clear landmark on the Prom so everyone has a meeting point.
Simple rules of thumb
+2 to +3 hours after high tide: the beach begins to open up.
–2 to –3 hours before the next high tide: leave the lower sands and return to the wall.
Low tide today in the morning? Expect it about 50 minutes later tomorrow.
Best places for a low-tide stroll
North Shore — calmer and spacious, ideal for couples who want quieter photos.
Central by the Tower — classic Blackpool views, handy if you’re mixing in attractions before or after.
South Shore — big skies and wide pavements; great for families who want room to spread out.
Walk only as far as you’re comfortable and look back often so you always know your route home.
Make a day of it
Morning low tide: Enjoy a relaxed start — breakfast is available for hotel guests — then step onto the sands as the beach opens. Ride the tram back when the breeze picks up and freshen up for the evening.
Afternoon low tide: Do a late morning Promenade walk, coffee with a sea view, then head out as the sea drops. Book dinner for after your beach time via Restaurant Bookings at Case di Legno.
Easy evening plans when the tide is high
If your timing lands on a high tide, make it a Promenade evening instead. Stroll past the Tower, pause for photos by the sea wall, and if the season’s right, enjoy the Illuminations at dusk.
Round off the night with a drink at our Champagne Bar or head to Deano’s Cocktail Bar for something livelier.
Sample two-day plan with moving low tides
Day 1: Arrive and check in. If low tide is in the afternoon, enjoy sandcastles and shoreline photos, then a calm seafront stroll after sunset.
Day 2: Low tide has shifted later. Take a slow morning on the Prom, lunch in the town, then back to the beach as the water drops. Finish with a relaxed Sunday Dinner if your dates align.
Why a seafront base helps with tides
Being right on the Promenade means you can pop out when the beach opens and nip back as the sea turns. No taxis. No long walks with bags. Just easy access to the sands and quick tram links up and down the coast.
If that’s your style, browse our seafront rooms and plan your stay around the low-tide windows you prefer.
Quick answers
Is there one set time the tide goes out?: No — low tide changes daily and moves later by about 50 minutes each day.
How many low tides are there per day?: Usually two.
What if the sea is at the wall when I arrive?: Enjoy the Promenade, then return a few hours later as the beach reappears.
Is low tide always safest?: It’s safest when you stay aware of time, avoid deep channels, and head landwards early as the sea returns.
Talk to us
Address: 291–295 Promenade FY1 6AL, Blackpool (Lancashire)
Phone: 01253 204355
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