Tide Times

In the South Section, at several points marked on our Guide Book maps and on our Individual Route Pages of this website, you may be delayed for 1 to 4 hours by a rising tide on a few days around High Spring Tide. Simple and careful planning will avoid unnecessary delays. Packing a pair of plimsolls would allow easy wading.

NB: High Spring Tides occur at two-week intervals (at New and Full Moons) and peak around midday. In late autumn and winter, they are much higher than in summer months (when there is no real problem).

You may experience tidal delays on the following stages of the Ayrshire Coastal Path:
Girvan to Maidens
Maidens to Dunure
Dunure to Ayr

Check tide times for Ayr at Easytide – as well as the important details contained in our Guide Book.

Just as a reminder to pay attention, here is a poem penned by Trail Manager James A Begg

Tak Tent o Time anTide‘
Betwixt Girvan an Troon at the Fou or New Moon,
The Tap o the Tide is aye near-aboots Noon,
When ye micht hae tae taigle till it draps a-wee doun.
Sae keep a caum souch, an ne’er fash nor froun;-
For by takkin a chance juist tae win yersel roun -
Ye’re shuir o adroukin - an micht even droun!

Pay Attention to Time and Tide (English Translation):
Between Girvan and Troon at the Full or New Moon,
The highest tide is always near Noon,
When you may have to wait till it drops back down.
So keep yourself calm and don’t fret or frown;-
For taking a chance just to win a way round,
You’re sure of a soaking, and might even drown!