HM Coastguard has issued a plea for people to stay safe at the beach following nine deaths in the past 10 days.
Schools broke up for summer on Friday and many people are expected to hit the coast in the great British staycation of 2021, with another heatwave on the cards for August.
But first, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in London this weekend with temperatures set to drop to the low 20s between Friday and Sunday.
The warm weather has seen thousands of Britons flocking to beaches or wild swimming spots across the country, with some swimmers getting into difficulty.
Five people died in water-related tragedies on Sunday, when temperatures reached 31.6C on what was the the hottest day of the year, before the mercury climbed further to 32.2 on Tuesday.
A teenage girl died after being pulled from Ducklington Lake in Oxfordshire, the body of a 19-year-old man was discovered at Salford Quays in Manchester and a man in his 50s was found dead at the River Ouse, Yorkshire.
The body of a teenage boy was also discovered in Cumbria after he went missing by the River Eden and a man died after falling off rocks at Stair Hole in Dorset.
After the spate of deaths, HM Coastguard is urging people to "take care at the coast or risk tragic consequences”.
Director Claire Hughes said: “We can’t emphasise this enough. The sea has no respect for whether you’re local or not and whether you’re experienced or not.
“Please always check weather conditions and tide times before going out. The Coastguard will always respond to 999 and do all we can to get people home and safe.
“But be careful. Think twice about what you’re doing at the coast that might put you, your family and friends and even those who come to rescue you in danger. Watch out for each other and those you love. Get home safe.
“We’ve seen too many tragedies already this summer and we’re sad for those whose families have been left heartbroken by the loss.”
The Coastguard is advising visitors to the beach to check tide times and to be aware of sea currents, hidden depths and rip currents.
A spokesperson said: “The warning comes as many are expected to travel to the coast for beach holidays and days out in the UK across the remaining summer months.
“Each death represents a widescale tragedy for the families and friends of those who have died. Others have faced life-changing injuries.”
The rescue service also recommends that inflatables should not be used and for people to ensure they have fully-charged phones with 999 being the emergency contact number for the Coastguard.
