Live Tides
NOTICES TO MARINERS
Charts & Surveys
Incident reporting
Life-threatening emergencies on the river:
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
For near miss, safety observations and incident reporting click below
Swimming in the tidal Thames
Understand the risks of the tidal Thames and swim only in approved locations
Swimming is a fantastic full-body workout and open water swimming has additional health benefits such as improved sleep, stronger immunity, better management of long-term health conditions and increased mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, most of the tidal Thames is not safe to swim - even for strong and experienced swimmers. However, there are some areas where swimming is permitted.
Why is the majority of the tidal Thames unsuitable for swimming?
Swimming is permitted by the PLA upstream (west) of Putney Bridge through to Teddington. Swimmers are reminded that this remains a busy part of the river with commercial, recreational and leisure activities.
Swimming is permitted between Garrison Point and Barton’s Point, with Sheerness Beach often a preferred option and typically lifeguarded by the RNLI. Click to see Sheerness lifeguarded beaches.
Swimmers must be mindful of nearby docks and shipping channels. Maintaining visibility and staying well clear of vessels is essential.
Swimming is permitted along the beaches between Bell Wharf, Leigh‑on‑Sea, and East Beach, Shoebury. As with Kent, shipping channels are present, and swimmers must remain vigilant at all times.
10 SAFETY ESSENTIALS
1. Swim with others - never alone.
2. Know your limits. Only swim in the Thames if you are a competent, strong open-water swimmer and feel fit and well.
3. Understand the Thames and check the weather. You must understand the effect of tides, river conditions, rainfall run-off, Ebb Tide Flag Warning Status and the local area.
4. Plan your swim, including entry and exit points along the route. You may need to exit the water earlier than planned.
5. Maintain a good lookout.
6. Make yourself as visible as possible to other river users by wearing a high-visibility swimming cap and ensuring that you use a high-visibility towable buoyance aid.
7. Never swim across the river.
8. Stay within 10 metres of the water’s edge and as far inshore as possible. Remain in shallow enough water so that you can stand up if needed.
9. Do not swim in the fairway (the ‘middle’ of the Thames which is for vessels only), or anywhere near shipping channels. View PLA Charts to help understand where these are.
10. Ensure someone in your group has a phone or radio in a waterproof pouch, accessible in an emergency.
Free resources
Tidal Information to help with planning swims including the ‘Tide Prediction Tool’ and ‘Tide Tables and Port Information 2026’ handbook . Page 20 of the handbook also helps with specific areas upstream of Putney Bridge).
PLA Charts for local knowledge and depths.
Ebb Tide Flag Warning Status for strength of the ebb tide and current conditions.
The National Open Water Coaching Alliance (NOWCA).
Swim England have a list of Lidos & Open Water Swimming Venues in the London Region.
Events on the tidal Thames and its foreshore require the consent of the PLA. Please see our Event Organiser Guide which refers to Thames Byelaw 9.
