A Local's Guide to Sea Swimming in Margate
A Local's Guide to Sea Swimming in Margate
From the team at Harbour & Tide
We started Harbour & Tide because of the sea. More specifically, because of that feeling you get the moment you get into cold water, when everything else falls away and it's just you, the cold, and the horizon. Nothing quite compares to it.
Sea swimming, wild swimming, cold water swimming. Call it what you like. It's at the heart of everything we do here. The invigoration of cold water, the moments of stillness in nature, the brilliant camaraderie of turning up on a beach in all weathers with a group of people who just get it. There's a community around cold water swimming that is unlike anything else, and Margate sits right at the centre of it.
And if you can conquer your doubts about taking off your clothes on a freezing cold beach and throwing yourself into the sea, honestly, you can achieve anything.
We're lucky to have one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country on our doorstep, with swimming spots that feel genuinely special. We love nothing more than chatting about it in the store, but wanted to make sure it was all here on the website too.
Where to Swim in Margate![]()
Margate Main Sands
The most accessible spot and a great place to start. The wide, sandy beach means a gentle entry into the water and plenty of space to get changed and gather yourself before and after your swim. It's a busy, friendly beach and you're unlikely to feel alone here. Main Sands is best enjoyed around high tide when the water is at its fullest and most inviting.
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
A short walk along the coast towards Cliftonville, Walpole Bay is one of Margate's most special swimming spots. The Victorian tidal pool is revealed at low tide as the sea retreats, creating a sheltered, naturally enclosed swimming environment that's particularly good for beginners. It has a real community feel, with regular swimmers gathering here throughout the year.
Right beside the pool you'll find After Party, a brilliant little coffee kiosk serving great coffee and buns. Consider it your post-swim reward.
Both spots are dog-friendly outside of peak summer months, if you're bringing a four-legged swim companion.
Understanding the Tides
Tides matter more than you might think when it comes to sea swimming. They affect how deep the water is, how strong any currents are, and how easy it is to enter and exit the sea safely. For Walpole Bay in particular, checking the tide before you go is essential as the pool only emerges at low tide.
Before every swim, check the tides. We recommend the Tide Times app for your phone, or tidetimes.co.uk if you prefer a browser. Both are free, easy to use, and give you a clear picture of what to expect.
A few things to keep in mind:
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Swim parallel to the shore, not out to sea
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Never swim alone, particularly as a beginner
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Check local flags and signage on the beach before getting in
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If in doubt, don't go in. The sea will always be there tomorrow.
What to Wear and Bring
One of the most common questions from first-time cold water swimmers is what to wear. The honest answer is: it depends on you.
Wetsuit or skins? Most people visiting Margate for a dip go straight in without a wetsuit, and that's absolutely fine. A swimsuit and a good attitude will get you in the sea. If you do feel the cold keenly, neoprene socks and gloves make a real difference to how long you can stay in comfortably. These are easy to pick up online before your visit.
What to bring:
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A towelling poncho or wearable blanket to wrap up in straight after your swim. Getting warm quickly matters more than people realise.
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A dry bag to keep your clothes, phone, and valuables safe and dry on the beach
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A warm drink in an insulated mug or flask. There are few better feelings than a hot coffee after a cold swim.
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A beanie, worn in the water or popped on the moment you get out. You lose a huge amount of heat through your head, and in winter a swim hat can make the difference between a quick dip and a proper swim.
At Harbour & Tide we stock all of this in store and online, along with beach essentials like towels and totes to carry it all down to the water. We also sell sustainable swimwear for men and women. And if you've arrived in Margate and forgotten your costume, we offer a swimwear rental service for women. We have a beautifully made Davy J one piece available to hire for Ā£20 for 24 hours, secured with a deposit. No need to buy something new just for one swim. Everything is chosen because we actually use it ourselves.
Shop cold water swimming essentials at Harbour & Tide
Warm Up Afterwards
The warm-up is half the joy of cold water swimming. Margate does this part particularly well.
Saunas Two brilliant options right by the sea:
The community sauna at Walpole Bay is run by Dulcie, the Margate-based seaweed beauty brand that hand-harvests local seaweed from the Kent coast to make their skincare and fragrance range. Free to use and open to everyone, it's a genuinely warm and welcoming spot. Open most days 9-3.
Sea Scrub Sauna offers barrel and electric saunas with cold plunge tubs by the water. You can also add on an invigorating salt scrub to make it a proper wellness moment. Both are worth building into your swim day.
Coffee If saunas aren't your thing, Margate's coffee scene has you covered. A few of our favourites near the seafront:
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After Party at Walpole Bay is the obvious first stop if you're swimming there
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Big Shot on the seafront does coffee and toasties with great views
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Giant Coffee in the Old Town is cosy and plant-based
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Forts is brilliant for coffee and brunch
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Flints Kiosk at Newgate Gap beach serves Sand Brew coffee, nourishing teas and wild treats, with a side of marine conservation and intertidal adoration
For a full guide to eating, drinking, shopping, and making the most of Margate, head to our Margate guide.
Join the Community
One of the best things about sea swimming in Margate is that you don't have to do it alone. There's a warm, welcoming community of swimmers here who turn up in all weathers, look out for each other in the water, and make the whole experience better.
The Harbour & Tide Swim Club is our own informal gathering of sea swimmers. No membership fees, no pressure, just people who love getting in the sea. Follow us on Instagram @harbourandtide to find out when we're swimming and come and join us.
Whether you make it to Margate once a year or you're thinking of moving here for the sea (it happens), you're always welcome in the water with us.
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Before You Go
If you're visiting Margate and want to make sure you've got the right kit, pop into the Harbour & Tide store at 38 Fort Hill. We're close to the seafront and always happy to chat cold water swimming, tide times, and the best spots to get in.
You can also shop our full range of sea swimming essentials online at harbourandtide.com.
See you in the sea.
The Harbour & Tide team
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