Thirty-one people, including young children, became cut off by the incoming tide around Scolt Head Island and its surrounding sandbanks during summer 2026, prompting an emergency response coordinated by HM Coastguard.

NCI Brancaster Watchkeepers Luke and Mandy spotted the developing situation from their lookout and raised the alarm.

The watchkeepers knew that the tide would cut off and surround Scolt Head Island around 3 hours after low tide. The time was 1230 and low tide was earlier that day at 0930.

The incoming tide began to rapidly fill the channels between Scolt Head Island and the main beach. The Watchkeepers recognised that the people were at increasing risk of becoming stranded.

They alerted HM Coastguard.

A small group of four recognised the danger they were in and successfully crossed the channels through the incoming tide. The others were unaware of their predicament.

As the tide rose further, further people began to recognise what was happening and started to attempt to cross through the rising waters.

A Coastguard Rescue Team arrived at the scene and assisted five people from the sandbanks to reach the shore. However, the coastguard rescue team confirmed that twenty-two people remained cut off.

The Hunstanton RNLI Hovercraft arrived and, working alongside the Coastguard Rescue Team, was able to reach those who remained stranded. All the remaining people were subsequently guided safely back to shore.

The Coastguard Rescue Teams issued safety advice to all those rescued.

In this incident, the continued observation and reporting by the Brancaster Watchkeepers ensured that HM Coastguard was kept informed as the situation developed, from the initial sighting through to the safe recovery of everyone involved.

The incident was not an isolated occurrence. During the summer, NCI Brancaster Watchkeepers also spotted other people at risk of being cut off by the tide on at least 10 occasions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a watch over this stretch of coastline.

Brancaster Station Manager, John Allen said, “The tide can change very quickly around Scolt Head Island, and people who are unfamiliar with the area may not realise how quickly their route back to shore can disappear.”

“Our role is to keep a close watch on the coastline, recognise when people may be at risk and alert HM Coastguard when necessary. We are pleased that everyone involved in this incident was able to return to shore safely.”

NCI is a charity staffed by trained volunteers who keep watch from stations around the coast, observing activity at sea and along the shoreline. Working in partnership with HM Coastguard and other emergency services, they help identify potential incidents and provide vital information to support the safety of coastal communities and visitors.