Cleethorpes beach
We work hard to ensure that Cleethorpes beach is maintained to a high standard, and that the seafront remains a pleasant place for visitors and wildlife.
The North East Lincolnshire Coast is recognised internationally as a special site for wildlife, migrating birds, and unusual plants.
Resort Team
Missing child, lost person or need first aid
Call the team on 01472 323356 or find the Resort Hub opposite the pier.
The Resort Hub team operate 365 days a year.
- 9am to 6pm between April and September
- 9am to 4pm between October and March
We can provide educational talks, and give advice to individuals, groups, clubs, societies or organisations who wish to take part in Beach Litter Clean Ups.
Staying safe
Every year, hundreds of people put themselves in danger and need rescuing from the Cleethorpes coast. The main dangers include getting cut off by the fast incoming tides, and getting stuck in the mud.
The Resort Hub team use 4 CCTV cameras to monitor the beach and ensure public safety.
Before your visit, check the weather forecast and tide times from the Met Office. If you search for the Cleethorpes Beach forecast, you can find safety advice, tide times, and the weather, including wind speed and direction.
Water quality
We actively monitor the water quality at Cleethorpes Beach, and work with our partners to make improvements.
Bathing water for the main beach in Cleethorpes was rated ‘good’ by the Environment Agency for 2022.
Check how clean the water is on beaches and if there is a problem with pollution on the Environment Agency website.
As the second largest estuary in the UK, we are a resort at the mouth of the Humber. This means Cleethorpes can be affected by flooding and extreme weather, and events in major upstream rivers like the Don, Ouse and Trent.
Dogs on the beach
Dogs are allowed on Cleethorpes Beach from the 30 September to Good Friday each year. After Good Friday, you must not take your dog onto the beach between the Wonderland Slipway and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. Dogs can visit the stretch of beach between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and the Humberston Fitties all year round.
We have Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in place for dog fouling, dog control issues and using Cleethorpes beach within the restricted period.
You can be issued with a £100 fine if you are found to breach any of the orders.
Wildlife on the beach
Stranded marine life
Occasionally large marine life, such as dolphins or whales, can be washed up or stranded on the beach. If the stranded animal is alive, the response speed of a rescue team is vital.
If the cetacean (a collective term for whales, dolphins or porpoises) is alive then please let us know as soon as possible on 01472 313131.
Internationally important birds
Every year, 90-million birds fly along the East Atlantic Flyway, a super-highway that follows the coastlines from the Arctic, through Europe and into Africa. The rich feeding grounds found in Cleethorpes and the Humber Estuary act like a motorway service station by providing a rest stop for the migrating birds. This supports internationally important numbers of birds, with more than 150,000 wetlands birds relying on the estuary for safe feeding and roosting grounds.
Cleethorpes and Grimsby coastline are protected by UK law, as a Special Protected Area, Special Area for Conservation, European Marine Site, and is recognised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a wetland of international importance.
Ways you can help
- Avoid disturbing resting and feeding birds
- Keep activities on the beach and in the water away from large numbers of birds
- Don’t let your dog chase the birds and keep them under control
- Move further away when birds are disturbed
Watch out for wildlife with your children
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website has lots more information and activities for you to do with your little ones.
- Can you spot some local varieties of birds when you walk around our estuary?
- Teach your children about starling murmuration’s
- Can you find these Finches?
Beach cleaning
March to October
The beach is raked and litter-picked daily from Wonderland, past the Pier and Leisure Centre to the Fitties. The area through the sand dunes from the Leisure Centre to the Fitties is litter-picked.
October to March
The beach is raked and litter-picked on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Resort Hub staff monitor the levels of litter, so additional Street Cleansing staff can be allocated if required.
Pleasure crafts (boats or jet skis)
We encourage the use of small pleasure crafts off the resort, however, we are keen to ensure that vessels are used safely and user’s respect the rules, for their own safety and that of the user’s around them.
Please make sure you read our Beach Safety – Vessels and Small Craft Guide (PDF, 3MB)
Slipway access
All members of the public wishing to launch their craft from one of our slipways must register with the Resort Hub team and get a permit.
The only exceptions to this rule are those members of the public who already belong to Cleethorpes Inshore Commercial fishermen.
Slipway registrations
To sign up please bring the following to the Resort Hub during opening hours:
- Printed photograph of yourself
- Printed photograph of your craft
- Your insurance details (minimum £3million liability)
Day launch
Members of the public who would like a day launch permit must give the Resort Hub 48 hours notice, and provide all of the required information list above.
(Day permits only available during Resort Hub opening hours)
Fees
Local resident
- Annual Permit – £60 + £10 key deposit
- Day Permit – £20
Non-resident
- Annual Permit – £80 + £10 key deposit
- Day Permit – £25
All members of the public must also carry mandatory safety equipment.
Costal defence
North East Lincolnshire Council is a Maritime Authority and has delegated powers under the Coast Protection Act 1949, to provide and maintain coastal defences to prevent the erosion of the shoreline.
The coastal defences we maintain include timber and rock groynes, rock filled gabions, earth embankment, sand dunes as well as the vertical sea wall at Cleethorpes.
Condition surveys are carried out twice a year to inspect the coastal defences to ensure that they are fit for purpose and provide suitable protection against flooding and erosion.
Report issues with coastal defences
To report a problem with drainage or our coastal defences complete drainage and costal defences.
National Nature Reserve
The Lincolnshire Coast is the first in the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. This recognises our coast as one of the best places in England for nature, and we’re lucky to have one right on our doorstep!
The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (LCCNNR) covers 33 square kilometres along almost 30 kilometres of the Greater Lincolnshire coast containing a rich variety of sand dunes, salt marshes, mudflats and freshwater marshes which are of international importance. National Nature Reserve status is given to the very best nature conservation sites in England, and recognises the national importance of the land for its wildlife and geology.
Many National Nature Reserves are managed by different parties who share a future vision for the nature reserve. Our council will help manage the LCCNNR alongside Natural England, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Ministry of Defence, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Environment Agency, sharing skills, knowledge and resources for long term commitment to the site.
The LCCNNR will unlock opportunities for local people to access the coastline for their own health and wellbeing, provide education, or to simply recharge in nature.
For your own communities, this reserve serves a purpose in celebrating and sharing with others the special qualities of this place. It’s an honour and privilege for Lincolnshire to be chosen as the very first of a series of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.