Practical
Wimereux tide times
The one piece of information that really changes a day on the coast
Where to find today's tide times
Tide times are worked out years in advance, but they need to come from a source that genuinely covers the reference port — here Boulogne sur Mer, only a few minutes off from Wimereux.
- Official sourceSHOM's tide timesFrance's naval hydrographic service: the reference in France, and the source behind the tide tables sold in newsagents.
- Reference portBoulogne sur MerGive or take a few minutes, its times work for Wimereux, Le Portel and Équihen-Plage too.
- CoefficientSpring tide from 100Above 110, the sea wall can be closed off: check before you come.
What the tide changes in Wimereux
Wimereux is really two different places, and the tide decides which one you get. At low tide, the beach opens up for several hundred metres: you can walk out to the rocks, push on to the Pointe aux Oies, and kids find crabs in the pools. At high tide, the water comes right up to the sea wall and there's no sand left at all.
A simple rule for planning your day: the sea takes around six hours to come in and as long to go back out, and the cycle shifts by about fifty minutes each day. If low tide is at 10am today, it'll be around 10.50am tomorrow.
At low tide
The wide beach, the walk to the Pointe aux Oies, rock-pooling, and sand yachting, which needs firm, open sand.
At high tide
The walk along the sea wall, the waves, board sports, and supervised swimming, best done as the tide comes in while the lifeguard post is open.
Spring tides, and the caution that goes with them
The strongest tides of the year come at the equinoxes, in March and September. They draw crowds to the sea wall, and it's quite a sight. But when a high coefficient meets a westerly wind, waves come right over the sea wall: it then gets closed off, and some seafront roads are cut.
On a big spring tide day, check the state of the sea wall with the tourist office or the local press before you come. And never head down onto the tidal flats without knowing when the tide turns: it comes in faster than you'd think.
Frequently asked questions
What time should you come to the Wimereux sea wall?
At high tide to watch the waves crash against the sea wall, at low tide to walk the sand out to the Pointe aux Oies. Both are worth the trip, but they're two different walks.
When do spring tides happen on the Opal Coast?
Around full and new moons, with the strongest at the equinoxes, in March and September. A tide counts as a spring tide from a coefficient of 100, the French figure that shows how strong that day's tide is.
Are spring tides dangerous in Wimereux?
They can be: with a high coefficient and a westerly wind, waves come right over the sea wall, which then gets closed off, with some roads cut. Check the local press or call the tourist office before heading out on a spring tide day.
Is the tide the same everywhere on the Opal Coast?
Give or take a few minutes, yes: the gap between Le Touquet and Calais is around a quarter of an hour. Wimereux's times work for the whole Boulogne area.
To go further
Our 3 restaurants
Where to eat in Wimereux?
Our favourite
For seafood, facing the sea
L'Aloze Atlantic
A seafront address, noted for its seafood platters.
Fish and seafood · Wimereux
For grilled dishes
Le Ranch
A menu of grilled dishes, with vegetarian options.
Grill restaurant · Wimereux
For a change from seafood
Le Thaï Curry
Thai cuisine, with vegan dishes.
Thai cuisine · Wimereux
Our 3 places to stay
Where to stay in Wimereux?
Our favourite
To sleep in the resort
Hôtel Saint-Jean
A hotel address in Wimereux, within walking distance of the sea wall.
Hotel · Wimereux
For a gîte with a spa
La Fenardière
A gîte with a spa and private pool.
Gîte · Wimereux
To camp near the sea
Camping l'Été Indien
The resort's campsite.
Campsite · Wimereux