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Beaches and the coast

Marine Lake safety

Marine Lake provides a free all-year outdoor swimming and sports destination on Weston-super-Mare’s seafront.

Marine Lake has water at any time-of-day thanks to a retaining wall known as ‘Knightstone Causeway’. The Causeway contains sluice gates to periodically filter the Lake. Marine Lake's water is replenished regularly when the tides are high enough to overtop the causeway.

The base of Marine Lake is made up of

  • concrete
  • clay and shingle
  • naturally occurring silt, sands, stones and rocks

Most of the edge of the lake is less than one meter deep. There is a concrete base underwater around the eastern edge. 

The water level and depths vary depending on the state of the tide. The lake is currently deepest near the causeway but this can change as the silt naturally moves with the tides.

Safety and warning signs are there for a reason. Please read them and make sure to follow guidance. 

Children and non-swimmers must be supervised at all times.

Lifeguards

There is no lifeguard service in operation at Marine Lake. 

In an emergency situation, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 

Be specific with your location, look for local landmarks. The RNLI safety signs installed at each entrance to the lake includes handy location references starting with NST. 

What3words is also a useful tool to help the emergency services to locate your exact location quickly.

Do not jump or dive into the water. 

Most of the edge of the lake has a water depth of less than one meter. The eastern edge of the lake also has a concrete base. 

Just one jump or dive risks death or life-changing injuries. It’s never worth the risk.

Things to be aware of

  • fast moving tides which can overtop the causeway - this is usually when the tide is forecast 11 metres or higher
    • do not attempt to cross the causeway and stay out of the water when the sea overtops the causeway
  • variable water depths - the depth of the water changes with the tides and because the base of the lake is naturally occurring
    • even for experienced swimmers, it can be very difficult to tell how deep the water really is
  • underwater hazards or submerged objects - the lake is tidal which means large debris could be brought in with the tide and may not be visible
  • soft sand and sinking mud - as well as a concrete base, Marine Lake also has a naturally occurring base of sand and silt and there is a possibility you could become stuck  
  • walkways and steps can become slippery - we recommend you always wear appropriate footwear and swimming shoes in the lake 
  • other users - make sure people can see you

Remember float to live

If you see someone in difficulty in the water, remember to call, tell and throw

  • call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
  • tell the person to float to live
  • throw them something that floats, such as a life ring. 
    • the centre of the rings at Marine Lake should instruct you how to use it and give you the ‘what three words’ location
  • float - if you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float like a starfish with your head back and your ears submerged

Never enter the water under the influence of alcohol or drugs as this can greatly impact your ability to swim.

Marine Lake improvements

Our vision is to further enhance Marine Lake is to develop year-round facilities to encourage food and drink and leisure activities. 

To find out more about our improvement project, please see our dedicated webpage.

Marine Lake improvement project