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Brightlingsea

Tendring, Anglian
Excellent Water Quality
Data last verified: 12 Nov 2026

Nestled on the Tendring coast, Brightlingsea boasts a picturesque estuary shoreline with soft sand beaches, perfect for a relaxing day out. The Environment Agency consistently rates the bathing water as Excellent, ensuring a safe and clean experience for visitors. During the summer months, the water temperature typically ranges from 18-20°C, ideal for swimming and water activities.

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Live Water Quality

95
Excellent
Safe for swimming
• Updated 10 mins ago
Today's Conditions • Updated 10 mins ago

Lifeguards

Unknown
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Air Temp

8°C
Comfortable

Weather

Partly cloudy
8°C

Tide

High Tide (4.58m)
in 5m (00:58) • Spring Tide

Water Quality

Excellent
Safe for swimming

Pollution Alerts

None
No alerts today

Quick Overview

Sandy beach
Family friendly
Dog friendly
(winter)
Parking nearby
Toilets
Café

Beach Information View all details

Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Excellent
Avg. Air Temp
8°C
Swimming
Highly recommended

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Reference Information

🌊 Live Tide Curve, Tidal Range & 7-Day Schedule

Harmonic astronomical predictions, tidal coefficients & flow rate

Spring Tide • Coeff 87
Current Water Level
High Tide (Slack) • (4.58m)
99% through current tide cycle (LAT)
Upcoming High & Low
▲ High: 00:58 (4.58m • in 5m)
▼ Low: 07:07 (0.99m • in 6h 14m)
Tidal Range & Coefficient
Range: 3.59m (Coeff 87/120)
Large tidal range — faster tidal currents and higher high water.
Current Tidal Flow
Slack Water (Calmest)
Rule of Twelfths: fastest flow occurs in mid-tide hours 3 & 4.
📈 24-Hour Harmonic Tide Curve (LAT)
Station: Clacton-on-Sea (7.94 km)
5.2m 2.9m 0.5m 23:0003:0007:0011:0015:0019:00 High 00:58 (4.6m)Low 07:07 (1.0m)High 13:14 (4.5m)Low 19:21 (1.2m) NOW
📅 7-Day High & Low Tide Table
Day High & Low Tides (Local Time) Tidal Range Coeff / Phase
Wed 11 Nov ▼ Low 18:54 (1.07m) --
Today ▲ High 00:58 (4.58m)▼ Low 07:07 (0.99m)▲ High 13:14 (4.48m)▼ Low 19:21 (1.21m) 3.59m Spring (87)
Fri 13 Nov ▲ High 01:29 (4.49m)▼ Low 07:38 (1.05m)▲ High 13:50 (4.38m)▼ Low 19:48 (1.32m) 3.44m Coeff 82
Sat 14 Nov ▲ High 02:01 (4.39m)▼ Low 08:10 (1.10m)▲ High 14:28 (4.27m)▼ Low 20:21 (1.40m) 3.29m Coeff 76
Sun 15 Nov ▲ High 02:36 (4.29m)▼ Low 08:46 (1.16m)▲ High 15:10 (4.15m)▼ Low 21:01 (1.47m) 3.13m Coeff 70
Mon 16 Nov ▲ High 03:16 (4.17m)▼ Low 09:29 (1.23m)▲ High 15:58 (4.02m)▼ Low 21:48 (1.55m) 2.94m Coeff 63
Tue 17 Nov ▲ High 04:01 (4.05m)▼ Low 10:19 (1.31m)▲ High 16:52 (3.91m)▼ Low 22:42 (1.61m) 2.74m Coeff 55
Reference Station: Clacton-on-Sea • Model: FES2022 Global Ocean Model • Datum: LAT Tide predictions via TidesAtlas
Next 4 Tides
Spring Tide
High 00:58 4.58m
Low 07:07 0.99m
High 13:14 4.48m
Low 19:21 1.21m
Current: High Tide (Slack) (4.58m) • Slack Water (Calmest)
Sediment Type
Sand

The shoreline consists primarily of sand. Sediment type dictates underfoot comfort, wave energy absorption, and the water's clarity when currents stir up the seabed.

Annual Rating
Excellent

Water quality is classified as excellent, meeting the highest cleanliness standards. Bacterial counts (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) are consistently low, posing negligible health risks.

Rainfall Impact
Low Risk

This bathing water is generally resilient and has a low risk of quality degradation after heavy summer storm events.

Monitoring Authority
Environment Agency

Tested weekly by the Environment Agency England for bacteria levels (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) between May and September.

Water Body Type
Estuary / Transitional Water

Monitored as a transitional or estuarine bathing water. Estuarine sites experience a mix of tidal ocean flushing and river discharge, causing fluctuating salinity and water quality.

Sewerage Provider
Anglian Water Services Limited

Anglian Water Services Limited is the regional utility responsible for waste water treatment, sewage infrastructure, and storm overflow management in this catchment area.

Designated Year
1988

Officially designated as a protected bathing water site in 1988. This designation mandates regular public health monitoring.

County / District
Tendring

Governed under local district sanitation and environmental safety regulations in the Tendring area.

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