Some 23,500 people came to look around the boathouse and hovercraft hangar at Hunstanton RNLI in 2024.
They were joined by 1,500 children from across the region, who came on school trips.
Beavers, Cubs, Rainbows and Brownies from neighbouring villages have also been put through their paces to earn their water safety badges.
And almost 300 children attended Storm Force - the station's kids' club run on Sundays through the summer holidays, where young people learn how to stay safe by the sea and what to do if they see someone in danger.
Kate Craven, Hunstanton RNLI's visits officer and water safety lead, heads a dozen-strong team who staff the boathouse from Monday to Saturday, from April to October.
'They give visitors tours of the station and tell them all about the lifesaving work of our crew and the craft they use,' said Kate.
'Some children who come on school trips are from land-locked schools who haven’t had the opportunity to see the beach or experience what goes on at a lifeboat station.
'It’s a pleasure co-ordinating a team whose love of the RNLI shines throughout the season to our visitors.
'We get so many comments from the public telling us how much they enjoyed their tour.
'That just makes it all so worthwhile for us, knowing we've made a difference.'
More than 300 can visit on a summer's day, while school parties often arrive with a coach-load of enthusiastic young supporters eager to see the lifeboat
Spirit of West Norfolk and hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.
Visits volunteers at the station - who keep a daily tally of arrivals - enjoy interacting with people of all ages and answering their many questions about the work of the RNLI.
Retired train driver Paul Dixon is on track to start his fourth year on the team as it draws up plans for next year.
'We try to educate people about water safety so the crew don't have so much to do,' he said. 'What better cause is there than saving lives at sea?'
Paul, whose cousin Rod Hicks was a member of the crew, was encouraged to join - like several other members - by fellow volunteer Patty Berry.
'When I came to live on the coast a few years ago, I really wanted to get to know life by the sea and do something for a good cause,' Patty said. 'I just love coming down and talking to people about the RNLI.'
The station will be opening Monday - Saturday (10am - 4pm) from Monday, 7 April to Saturday, 1 November in 2025.
Storm Force dates, which are all Sundays; will be April 13 and 20, 27 July and 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 August, with sessions starting at 11am.
If you're interested in joining the visits team at Hunstanton, email [email protected].
Notes to editors
This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.
Its volunteers operate the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, the crew's lifesaving work could not be possible without the kindness of those who give donations or leave legacies to the charity that saves lives at sea.
The RNLI has launched a Christmas Appeal to raise vital funds over the festive period, when RNLI volunteers will be ready to launch 24/7.
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
