The waters around the United Kingdom experienced weather extremes during the 12 months of 2021.

       Storms Arwen and Barra wreaked havoc on many coastline areas as the year ended, but the summer heatwaves saw thousands flock to beaches in search of sand, sea and sun.

       Waves crash against the sea front in Southsea as Storm Barra hit the UK (Andrew Matthews/PA)

       (PA Wire)

       Sea water floods the shoreline outside the Royal Oak pub after high tide in Langstone, Hampshire (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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       Huge waves crash against the lighthouse in Seaham Harbour, County Durham, during the tail end of Storm Arwen (Owen Humphreys/PA)

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       But come rain or shine… or even gusting wind, the British public still loves to get out on the waves for a spot of leisure activity.

       (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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       (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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       And some brave souls take it one stage further, an October dip in the sea is not for the faint-hearted.

       (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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       Brighton in the autumn sun seems a much more agreeable affair.

       Steve Parsons/PA)

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       A pilot had a lucky escape when his aircraft crashed into the sea during the Bournemouth Air Festival.

       (Andrew Matthews/PA)

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       The container ship Ever Given, which famously blocked the Suez Canal in March causing a global trade crisis, finally arrived at its destination port of Felixstowe in August – and was greeted by an army of onlookers.

       (Aaron Chown/PA)

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       In June, Virgin Voyage’s luxury cruise ship Scarlet Lady arrived into Portsmouth for the first time. The 110,000-tonne liner is the largest ship to have ever docked in the city.

       (Steve Parsons/PA)

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       The summer brought scorching temperatures and saw many people heading to the beach.

       (Steve Parsons/PA)

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       (Steve Parsons/PA)

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       But even when the clouds roll in, the British coast can be breathtaking.

       A rainbow appears behind the Blyth beach huts in Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA)

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       The Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth made her maiden deployment to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group from HM Naval Base in Portsmouth in May.

       (Steve Parsons/PA)

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       The new P&O cruise ship Iona enters Southampton for the first time ahead of its naming ceremony. It is the largest cruise ship built for the UK market, and is 345 metres long, weighing 185,000 tonnes.

       (Christopher Ison/PA)

       (PA Media)

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       And as the sun sets on the last few days of 2021, we can guarantee the coast will still be calling young and old next year.

       Anglers, hoping to catch mackerel and other fish, cast from the end of Blyth pier in Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA)

       (PA Wire)