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Heacham

King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Anglian
Sufficient Water Quality
Data last verified: 12 Nov 2026

Heacham Beach, nestled in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, boasts a picturesque coastline with sandy shores and a tranquil atmosphere. The Environment Agency consistently rates its water quality as Sufficient, making it an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing. During the summer months, the water temperature typically ranges from 18-20°C, perfect for a refreshing dip.

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Live Water Quality

60
Sufficient
Safe for swimming
• Updated 10 mins ago
Today's Conditions • Updated 10 mins ago

Lifeguards

Unknown
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Air Temp

7.1°C
Comfortable

Weather

Partly cloudy
7.1°C

Tide

Low Tide (1.66m)
in 1h 51m (03:21) • Moderate-Spring Tide

Water Quality

Sufficient
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
Sufficient
Avg. Air Temp
7.1°C
Swimming
Highly recommended

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Fossil House
restaurant
4.8 • 120m away
Cliff Top Cafe & Beach Shop
cafe
4.8 • 120m away
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The Old Store
coffee shop
4.8 • 120m away
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Reference Information

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

Harmonic astronomical predictions, tidal coefficients & flow rate

Moderate-Spring Tide • Coeff 83
Current Water Level
Falling ↓ (2.26m)
77% through current tide cycle (LAT)
Upcoming High & Low
▲ High: 07:39 (6.24m • in 6h 9m)
▼ Low: 03:21 (1.66m • in 1h 51m)
Tidal Range & Coefficient
Range: 4.58m (Coeff 83/120)
Above-average tidal range — watch for rising tide in coves.
Current Tidal Flow
Moderate Ebbing Flow
Rule of Twelfths: fastest flow occurs in mid-tide hours 3 & 4.
📈 24-Hour Harmonic Tide Curve (LAT)
Station: King's Lynn
7.1m 4.1m 1.1m 00:0004:0008:0012:0016:0020:00 Low 03:21 (1.7m)High 07:39 (6.2m)Low 15:21 (2.0m)High 19:50 (6.3m) NOW
📅 7-Day High & Low Tide Table
Day High & Low Tides (Local Time) Tidal Range Coeff / Phase
Wed 11 Nov ▼ Low 15:08 (1.81m)▲ High 19:19 (6.48m) 4.67m Spring (85)
Today ▼ Low 03:21 (1.66m)▲ High 07:39 (6.24m)▼ Low 15:21 (1.97m)▲ High 19:50 (6.35m) 4.69m Spring (86)
Fri 13 Nov ▼ Low 03:52 (1.79m)▲ High 08:17 (6.00m)▼ Low 15:37 (2.10m)▲ High 20:20 (6.18m) 4.39m Coeff 79
Sat 14 Nov ▼ Low 04:28 (1.93m)▲ High 08:56 (5.73m)▼ Low 16:07 (2.24m)▲ High 20:53 (5.97m) 4.04m Coeff 72
Sun 15 Nov ▼ Low 05:08 (2.09m)▲ High 09:38 (5.44m)▼ Low 16:46 (2.40m)▲ High 21:30 (5.72m) 3.63m Coeff 64
Mon 16 Nov ▼ Low 05:52 (2.24m)▲ High 10:26 (5.16m)▼ Low 17:32 (2.57m)▲ High 22:15 (5.44m) 3.20m Coeff 55
Tue 17 Nov ▼ Low 06:40 (2.36m)▲ High 11:59 (4.93m)▼ Low 18:29 (2.70m)▲ High 23:14 (5.15m) 2.79m Neap (47)
Reference Station: King's Lynn • Model: FES2022 Global Ocean Model • Datum: LAT Tide predictions via TidesAtlas
Next 4 Tides
Moderate-Spring Tide
Low 03:21 1.66m
High 07:39 6.24m
Low 15:21 1.97m
High 19:50 6.35m
Current: Falling (2.26m) • Moderate Ebbing Flow
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
Sufficient

Water complies with minimum legal safety limits. However, higher bacterial levels are occasionally recorded, indicating moderate vulnerability to runoff.

Rainfall Impact
High Risk

Bacterial levels are highly susceptible to storm runoff. Heavy rainfall in the local catchment is likely to trigger storm overflows and agricultural runoff, rendering the water temporarily unsafe.

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
Coastal Beach

Monitored as a coastal beach. Coastal beaches are subject to tidal flows and marine dilution, whereas inland lakes/rivers suffer from low water circulation, meaning bacteria can linger longer.

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
King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Governed under local district sanitation and environmental safety regulations in the King's Lynn and West Norfolk area.

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