How to stay Coast Clever when enjoying the best UK beaches this summer

Whether it's for coastal walks, water activities or just a spot of sunbathing, the UK has some beautiful beaches to be enjoyed.

From Rhossli to Cornwall, we're blessed with some stunning coastline.

But the coast and beaches can be dangerous. Last year, HM Coastguard was called out to over 37,500 incidents, a 12 per cent rise in incidents compared to 2020.

Men in particular need to be more aware of the dangers of the coast. Shockingly, men accounted for 83 per cent of drownings in coastal and inland waterway fatalities in 2023. At the same time, only 32 per cent of men aged 16-35 said they would call 999 if they saw someone struggling in the water.

So, HM Coastguard has launched its latest Coast Clever campaign to remind people how to stay safe and avoid the dangers and hazards at the coast. Led by comedian Arthur Hill, the new Coast Clever video explains the measures you can take to stay safe on the coast this summer.

One of the main risks to be aware of is that of the tide.

The old saying goes that time and tide wait for no man, and this couldn't be more true. In the last three years, HM Coastguard has been called to more than 2,000 incidents of people being cut off by the tide.

The tide can catch you out with how quickly it comes in, and it's not always from out at sea, with tides able to sneak behind you and cut off your planned exit route if you're not careful.

Despite the risk the tide poses, just 36 per cent of people see it as one of the biggest risks at the coast, and only 35 per cent of people said they checked tide times on their last to visit for the coast. This is despite almost three quarters of people (74 per cent) admitting they should check tide times.

The main pieces of advice are as follows:

• Check the tide times before you set off  
• Cliffs can be unstable, so stay clear of cliff edges and bases 
• Watch out for mud and if you do get stuck, lean back to spread your weight
• Avoid paddleboarding in an offshore wind, when the wind blows from the land out to sea
• Avoid using inflatables in the sea
• Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back
• Take a fully charged mobile phone 
• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard

And once you've learned how to stay coast clever, here are five of the best UK beaches to enjoy this summer:

• Camber Sands, Sussex
• Holkham Beach, Norfolk
• Rhossili Bay, Wales
• Durdle Door, Dorset
• Fistral Beach, Cornwall

Comedian and singer Arthur Hill said: "I've spent a lot of time enjoying the beautiful British coastline and I used to go on annual family holidays around the UK, so I know it’s important to be aware of the dangers and be prepared. The stat which shows that 83% of reported fatalities are male is shocking and goes to show us lads especially need to follow the rules and be careful and diligent.

"Tides aren’t the only thing that can get you into trouble at the coast, you also need to keep clear of mud, avoid wind blowing out to sea and keep clear f cliff tops and bottoms. Taking the time to prepare, goes a long way, so let’s not underestimate the coast and follow the Coast Clever guidelines so we can enjoy it safely."

To find out more, search ‘coastal safety’ or click here.