Westward Ho Tide Times – Today’s Data, Forecast and Maps

Westward Ho! on the Devon coast draws visitors year-round with its sweeping beach and consistent surf conditions. Understanding the local tide patterns proves essential whether planning a family day out, heading into the water with a surfboard, or simply wanting to explore the exposed shoreline safely. This guide consolidates today’s tide data, a 14-day forecast overview, available mapping tools, and the most reliable online sources for anyone needing accurate Westward Ho! tide times.

The beach operates under a semi-diurnal tidal system, meaning two high tides and two low tides occur each day. Tidal ranges here can exceed 7 metres during spring tides, dramatically reshaping the beach profile within hours. For anyone unfamiliar with the area, checking tide schedules before arrival isn’t optional—it’s a fundamental part of any beach visit.

What are the Westward Ho! tide times today?

On Sunday, 19 April 2026, the tide at Westward Ho! reached its highest point at 7:46 AM BST, measuring approximately 7.5 metres. The lowest tide of the day dropped to around -1.17 metres, though the precise time for this minimum was not available in the latest data. As of 4:26 PM BST, the tide was rising toward the next high water.

• The morning high tide of 7.5 metres creates extensive flooding of lower beach areas—arrive early if planning to set up on the sand.
• Low tides reaching -1.17 metres expose rocky platforms ideal for beachcombing and rockpool exploration.
• Strong tidal currents develop during the flood and ebb phases; swimmers and water sports enthusiasts should monitor conditions closely.
• The last slack water occurred at 10:15 AM BST, with the next flood current beginning at 3:58 PM BST, according to the Westward Ho! current station.
• Water temperature sits around 9°C, making full wetsuits essential for extended water activities even during spring months.
• Tidal predictions originate from nearby monitoring stations, most notably at Bideford (approximately 4 kilometres away) and Ilfracombe (around 12.7 to 20.7 kilometres away), which may introduce minor timing variations.

What is the 14-day tide forecast for Westward Ho!?

A complete continuous 14-day forecast specifically aligned to today’s date was not available across all consulted sources. Tide prediction data does exist from multiple providers, though direct comparisons reveal notable differences stemming from the monitoring stations used and the units displayed.

How tide data differs across sources

Tideschart.com provides weekly tables with heights expressed in metres, with entries showing low tides ranging from 0.2 metres to 1.66 metres depending on the day and spring-neap cycle phase. For example, a January table showed the first low tide at 3:29 AM reaching just 0.2 metres, while a subsequent morning low measured 0.62 metres. High tides in the same period ranged between approximately 4.5 metres and 6.16 metres.

Surfline uses the Ilfracombe station and displays heights in feet. Their data for late June 2025 showed morning highs around 25.6 to 25.8 feet, with morning lows between 7.0 and 7.4 feet. The pattern indicated highs climbing toward 28.9 feet by the evening of 25 June, suggesting a shift toward spring tide conditions.

Typical tidal patterns and cycles

The Westward Ho! area experiences semi-diurnal tides, meaning residents and visitors can expect two high tides and two low tides roughly every 24 hours and 50 minutes. Each cycle follows a roughly 12-hour and 25-minute interval between successive high tides.

Spring tides—characterised by the largest ranges—occur around new and full moon phases, when gravitational forces from the moon and sun align. Neap tides, with smaller ranges, happen during the first and third quarters of the lunar cycle. Data from Wisuki showed a coefficient reading of 91 in September 2025, indicating a significant spring tide with lows near 0.6 metres and highs around 7.3 metres.

The moon phase at any given time influences tidal amplitude. Surf-forecast recorded a waxing gibbous moon at approximately 0.36 to 0.45 percent illumination during recent observations, corresponding to neap-like conditions where tidal range remains moderate but consistent.

Where can I find a Westward Ho! tide times map and live camera?

Interactive mapping tools and live webcams provide valuable real-time visual context for tide conditions at Westward Ho!, though the options available vary in scope and update frequency.

Tide mapping tools

Several tide forecast websites offer graphical representations of tidal curves, allowing users to visualise the rise and fall pattern throughout the day. Tideschart.com displays tide height curves alongside sunrise and sunset data, with the beach operating under daylight hours from approximately 6:01 AM to 8:18 PM on recent dates. Surf-forecast similarly provides tide charts with high/low markers and time axes for easier planning.

No dedicated interactive map showing precise walkable areas at various tide heights was identified in available sources for Westward Ho!. Visitors seeking such detailed coastal exposure information may need to combine multiple tools—using tide tables for height data alongside satellite imagery or topographic maps to understand which areas become accessible or submerged at different states of the tide.

Available live camera feeds

Wisuki notes the presence of a webcam option for Westward Ho!, though no live feed description was available in the collected data. The platform provides tide statistics alongside any camera access, though reliability and real-time availability could not be independently verified.

Surfline offers tide calendar features with graphical visualisations showing current tide levels and projected curves throughout the day. Their data on 19 April 2026 indicated a tide level of approximately 1.6 feet at 1:39 AM, rising to around 31.3 feet by 8:00 AM, illustrating the substantial vertical change occurring during the flood phase. These graphs provide useful at-a-glance information for surfers and beach visitors monitoring conditions remotely before heading out.

What are reliable sources for Westward Ho! tide times like Magicseaweed and BBC?

Identifying authoritative sources helps ensure the tide data used for planning comes from credible, regularly updated channels. Several providers offer Westward Ho! tide information, each with distinct advantages.

Surf-focused forecasting platforms

Surfline delivers detailed tide calendars with daily high/low tables and graphical curves. Their service includes data from the Ilfracombe station, with heights expressed in feet for consistency with their broader surf forecasting product. The platform updates predictions regularly and provides historical context through their tide chart interface.

Surf-forecast focuses on wave and tide conditions specifically for surf breaks, drawing data from the Bideford station where possible. Their charts display recent tide heights in feet, showing patterns between approximately 24.61 and 28.74 feet during active periods. The platform also indicates moon phase data, useful for anticipating tidal amplitude changes. For those interested in the local conditions, you can find detailed tide times for Westward Ho! at Hibiscus Coast wastewater restrictions.

Tides4fishing concentrates on fishing-oriented tide tables but offers useful data for any coastal visitor. Their September 2025 data, for instance, showed coefficients of 91 indicating substantial spring tides, with lows around 0.6 to 0.7 metres and highs reaching 7.3 metres. While the platform targets anglers, the underlying tidal data applies broadly.

General weather and government sources

The Met Office, the UK’s national weather service, provides official tide predictions as part of its coastal forecast offerings. Their tide explainers accompany weather data, offering a government-backed perspective on timing and height predictions. Met Office data benefits from official status and integration with broader meteorological forecasting.

BBC Weather includes tide schedule information for coastal locations, including Westward Ho! where available. While not a dedicated tidal service, the BBC Weather integration allows visitors already checking general conditions to access tide times without switching platforms.

Tidesnear.me focuses specifically on current conditions at monitoring stations, providing real-time current state data alongside predictions. Their Westward Ho! station page showed slack water timing and upcoming flood current information, useful for water sports participants concerned about current strength.

Understanding tide prediction accuracy and limitations

Tide forecasts, while highly reliable under normal conditions, carry inherent uncertainties that users should understand before making safety-dependent decisions.

What the data confirms with confidence

The semi-diurnal pattern—two highs and two lows per day—is firmly established through decades of observational records. The general timing of tidal cycles follows predictable astronomical patterns with remarkable consistency. Spring and neap cycles occur on roughly 14-day intervals aligned with lunar phases. The maximum tidal range at Westward Ho! during spring conditions exceeds 7 metres, based on documented measurements.

Where uncertainty exists

Precise timing for individual low or high waters can vary by several minutes between sources, reflecting the specific station used and processing methodology. Exact heights for specific events may differ slightly from posted predictions depending on current weather conditions. The -1.17 metre reading for today’s low tide represents recent extreme data, but specific timing for that lowest point was not confirmed. Long-range forecasts beyond approximately 7 days typically show increasing divergence between providers.

Westward Ho! beach context and why tide times matter

Westward Ho! occupies a distinctive position on the Devon coast, notable for its long stretch of sandy beach bordered by rocky platforms at either end. The settlement takes its name from its westward-facing orientation, which makes it particularly popular among surfers seeking Atlantic swells. The beach forms part of a wider coastal area managed with attention to both recreational use and natural preservation.

The substantial tidal range at Westward Ho! fundamentally shapes the beach experience. During high spring tides, water reaches far up the beach, limiting safe areas for sunbathing and causing temporary closure of some facilities. At extreme low tides, extensive rocky platforms emerge, revealing tidal pools and offering opportunities for shore-based activities that aren’t possible at higher water states.

Understanding current patterns matters for water safety. The coastal currents at Westward Ho! can strengthen considerably during the flood and ebb phases of the tide. Rip currents may form in specific locations, particularly where the seabed geometry channels water flow. Visitors planning any in-water activity—swimming, surfing, kayaking, or simply walking on wet rocks—should align their plans with current state and seek local advice if unfamiliar with conditions.

For surfers and water sports participants, timing sessions around the tide can significantly affect wave quality and safety. The intertidal zone at Westward Ho! offers different conditions depending on whether the water is rising, falling, or at extreme states. Planning around these rhythms transforms a potentially hazardous situation into an enjoyable coastal experience.

Key sources for Westward Ho! tide information

The following sources informed this guide and provide ongoing access to Westward Ho! tide data. Each offers distinct features and data presentations.

• Tideschart.com — Provides daily tables with times and heights in metres, plus tide curve visualisations for Westward Ho! tideschart.com
• Surfline — Delivers surf-oriented tide calendars with data from the Ilfracombe station, using feet as the height unit surfline.com
• Surf-forecast — Offers tide charts with high/low data from the Bideford station, targeting surf break conditions surf-forecast.com
• Tides4fishing — Presents tide tables with coefficient data indicating spring or neap conditions tides4fishing.com
• Wisuki — Includes tide statistics alongside webcam availability for Westward Ho! wisuki.com
• Tidesnear.me — Provides current station data including slack water and flood timing for the Westward Ho! station tidesnear.me
• Windfinder — Shows tide data from Ilfracombe alongside wind and sunrise information windfinder.com

Summary: planning your visit around Westward Ho! tide times

For today’s visit, the morning high tide peaked at 7.5 metres around 7:46 AM BST, with the next significant low tide reaching approximately -1.17 metres during the afternoon. The tide was still rising as of mid-afternoon on 19 April 2026. Anyone travelling to Westward Ho! should factor these times into their plans—arriving early offers the best opportunity to secure space on the upper beach, while afternoon low tides open up extensive rocky areas for exploration.

Across the coming days, expect continued semi-diurnal patterns with two tidal cycles each day. Slight variations in precise timing and height will occur depending on which source is consulted, reflecting the different monitoring stations and methodologies used. Checking a reliable source shortly before departure provides the most accurate current information for safe planning.