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St Margaret`s Bay

Dover, South East
Excellent Water Quality
Data last verified: 12 Nov 2026

St Margaret's Bay, a picturesque cove in Dover, England, boasts a stunning shoreline of sand and shingle, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and scenic coastal walks. The bay's water quality is consistently rated as Excellent by the Environment Agency, making it an ideal spot for swimming and water activities. During the summer months, the water temperature at St Margaret's Bay typically ranges from 18-20°C, perfect for a refreshing dip.

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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

9°C
Comfortable

Weather

Rain showers
9°C

Tide

Low Tide (1.51m)
in 6h 42m (07:37) • Spring Tide

Water Quality

Excellent
Safe for swimming

Pollution Alerts

None
No alerts today

Quick Overview

Sand & Shingle beach
Family friendly
Dog friendly
(winter)
Parking nearby
Toilets
Café

Beach Information View all details

Beach Type
Sand, Shingle
Water Quality
Excellent
Avg. Air Temp
9°C
Swimming
Highly recommended

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The Salty Dog Harbour Cafe
cafe
4.8 • 120m away
The Bay Bistro
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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

Spring Tide • Coeff 86
Current Water Level
Falling ↓ (6.34m)
10% through current tide cycle (LAT)
Upcoming High & Low
▲ High: 12:20 (6.40m • in 11h 26m)
▼ Low: 07:37 (1.51m • in 6h 42m)
Tidal Range & Coefficient
Range: 4.95m (Coeff 86/120)
Large tidal range — faster tidal currents and higher high water.
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: Dover
7.2m 4.1m 0.9m 23:0003:0007:0011:0015:0019:00 Low 07:37 (1.5m)High 12:20 (6.4m)Low 19:46 (1.6m) NOW
📅 7-Day High & Low Tide Table
Day High & Low Tides (Local Time) Tidal Range Coeff / Phase
Wed 11 Nov ▼ Low 19:19 (1.45m) --
Today ▲ High 00:10 (6.46m)▼ Low 07:37 (1.51m)▲ High 12:20 (6.40m)▼ Low 19:46 (1.63m) 4.95m Spring (86)
Fri 13 Nov ▲ High 00:41 (6.36m)▼ Low 08:07 (1.65m)▲ High 12:53 (6.24m)▼ Low 20:14 (1.80m) 4.71m Coeff 81
Sat 14 Nov ▲ High 01:14 (6.22m)▼ Low 08:39 (1.80m)▲ High 13:28 (6.05m)▼ Low 20:47 (1.97m) 4.42m Coeff 74
Sun 15 Nov ▲ High 01:50 (6.03m)▼ Low 09:13 (1.97m)▲ High 14:07 (5.81m)▼ Low 21:26 (2.16m) 4.06m Coeff 66
Mon 16 Nov ▲ High 02:32 (5.77m)▼ Low 09:54 (2.14m)▲ High 14:54 (5.52m)▼ Low 22:13 (2.33m) 3.63m Coeff 56
Tue 17 Nov ▲ High 03:23 (5.49m)▼ Low 10:44 (2.27m)▲ High 15:58 (5.25m)▼ Low 23:08 (2.44m) 3.22m Neap (46)
Reference Station: Dover • Model: Primary Harmonic Gauge (TICON) • Datum: LAT Tide predictions via TidesAtlas
Next 4 Tides
Spring Tide
Low 07:37 1.51m
High 12:20 6.40m
Low 19:46 1.63m
High 00:41 6.36m
Current: Falling (6.34m) • Moderate Ebbing Flow
Sediment Type
Sand, Shingle

The shoreline consists primarily of sand, shingle. 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
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
Southern Water Services Limited

Southern 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
Dover

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

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