Tide Chart
The Tide Chart is a reference tool covering tide chart, tide chart today, tide chart near me, high tide low tide chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
How to Read a Tide Chart
- A tide chart shows the predicted water level at a specific location over time — typically displayed as a curved wave graph with water height on the y-axis and time of day on the x-axis.
- High tide is the peak of the wave — the point of maximum water depth. Low tide is the trough — the point of minimum water depth. The vertical distance between them is called the tidal range.
- Most coastal locations experience two high tides and two low tides in approximately every 24 hours and 50 minutes — this is called a semidiurnal tidal pattern. Some locations such as the US Gulf Coast experience only one high and one low per day (diurnal pattern).
- Time listings on a tide chart use local standard or daylight saving time for that specific location. Always confirm which time zone and whether daylight saving applies before relying on a tide chart.
- Height is measured relative to a reference level called the datum. In the US the standard datum is Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). A positive height means water is above the datum. Negative heights — called minus tides — are especially low tides that expose rocks and seafloor normally underwater.
Tide Chart Terms Reference
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| High Tide | The maximum water level at the peak of a tidal cycle. |
| Low Tide | The minimum water level at the trough of a tidal cycle. |
| Tidal Range | The vertical difference in water height between high tide and the preceding or following low tide at a specific location. |
| Spring Tide | A larger-than-average tidal range occurring near new and full moons when the gravitational forces of the sun and moon align. |
| Neap Tide | A smaller-than-average tidal range occurring near quarter moons when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other. |
| Ebb Tide | The period of falling water between high tide and low tide. |
| Flood Tide | The period of rising water between low tide and high tide. |
| Slack Water | The brief period near high or low tide when tidal current speed is minimal — often the safest time for divers and small boats. |
| Datum (MLLW) | Mean Lower Low Water — the reference baseline for tide height measurements used by NOAA in the United States. |
| King Tide | An informal term for the highest predicted high tide of the year — typically occurs when spring tides coincide with the moon at perigee (closest point to Earth). |
| Tidal Bore | A wave of water that surges upstream as the tide rises — occurs in certain funnel-shaped estuaries such as the Bay of Fundy. |
| Perigean Spring Tide | An especially large spring tide that occurs when a new or full moon coincides with the moon being closest to Earth. |
Source: NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) tidal terminology
Tidal Pattern Types
The tidal pattern at any location depends on its geography, the shape of the ocean basin, and the relative positions of the moon and sun.
| Tidal Type | Pattern Description | Typical Tidal Range | Example Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semidiurnal | Two high tides and two low tides per day of roughly equal height | 1–4 metres | US Atlantic Coast, UK, most of Australia |
| Mixed Semidiurnal | Two highs and two lows per day but of noticeably unequal heights | 1–3 metres | US Pacific Coast, Japan, Philippines, parts of Southeast Asia |
| Diurnal | One high tide and one low tide per day | 0.5–1.5 metres | Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Tonkin, parts of Indonesia |
| Macrotidal | Very large tidal range exceeding 4 metres | 4–16+ metres | Bay of Fundy (Canada), Severn Estuary (UK), Cook Inlet (Alaska) |
| Microtidal | Very small tidal range below 2 metres | Under 2 metres | Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Caribbean Sea |
Source: NOAA and British Oceanographic Data Centre
World's Largest Tidal Ranges
Tidal range varies enormously around the world — from less than 30 cm in enclosed seas to over 16 metres in funnel-shaped bays.
| Location | Maximum Tidal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada | Up to 16.3 metres (53.5 feet) | Widely cited as the world's highest tidal range. The funnel shape amplifies the tide. |
| Ungava Bay, Quebec, Canada | Up to 16.8 metres | Sometimes cited as the world's largest — measurement methodology differs. |
| Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary, England and Wales, UK | Up to 14 metres (46 feet) | Second highest in the world. Site of proposed tidal barrage schemes. |
| Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA | Up to 12.2 metres (40 feet) | Largest in the United States. |
| Gulf of Saint-Malo, Brittany, France | Up to 13.5 metres | Home of the Mont-Saint-Michel island. |
| Port Gallegos, Patagonia, Argentina | Up to 14.2 metres | Largest in South America. |
| Derby, Western Australia | Up to 11.8 metres | Largest in Australia. |
| Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India | Up to 11 metres | Largest in South Asia. |
Source: NOAA, Canadian Hydrographic Service, and British Oceanographic Data Centre
Tide Chart Uses by Activity
| Activity | What to Look For on the Chart | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Surfing | Low to mid tide at most beach breaks. Reef breaks often prefer low tide. | Tide affects wave shape and water depth over the seafloor. |
| Fishing | High tide near structures and at tide changes. Slack water near inlets. | Fish feed more actively during tide changes and near high water. |
| Clamming and shellfish harvesting | Minus tides (lowest lows). | Exposed shellfish beds are only accessible at very low tides. |
| Kayaking and canoeing | Flood tide for upstream travel. Ebb tide for downstream. | Paddling with the current is dramatically easier than against it. |
| Diving | Slack water near high or low tide. | Minimal current gives safer and clearer diving conditions. |
| Boat launching and retrieval | Sufficient depth at ramp at planned launch and return time. | Ramps become too shallow to use at very low tides. |
| Coastal hiking and tide pools | Minus tides (below 0 ft) for maximum tide pool exploration. | The lowest tides of the year expose the lowest tide zone organisms. |
| Coastal construction and engineering | Full tidal range data over multiple cycles. | Foundation depth and sea wall height depend on maximum tidal range. |
Tide Time Lookup
Enter a coastal city or zip code to get today's and tomorrow's tide times, heights, a visual tide curve, and a fishing quality indicator.
Enter a coastal location above to look up tide times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tide chart?
A tide chart shows the predicted water level at a specific coastal location plotted over time — typically as a sinusoidal curve with time on the x-axis and water height on the y-axis. It allows boaters, surfers, fishermen, divers, and coastal visitors to plan activities around high and low water.
How do I read a tide chart?
High tide is the peak of the curve and low tide is the trough. The height values show how far the water is above or below the chart datum (MLLW in the US) and the time axis shows when each high and low occurs.
What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?
Spring tides occur near new and full moons when the gravitational forces of the sun and moon align — producing larger-than-average tidal ranges. Neap tides occur near quarter moons when the forces are at right angles — producing smaller tidal ranges.
What is a king tide?
A king tide is an informal term for the highest predicted high tide of the year. It occurs when spring tides coincide with the moon at perigee — its closest point to Earth.
Why do some places have one tide per day and others have two?
The tidal pattern depends on the geometry of the ocean basin and the resonance of the water in that basin. Some locations like the Gulf of Mexico have a diurnal (one-per-day) pattern while most of the world's coasts have a semidiurnal (two-per-day) pattern.
What is slack water?
Slack water is the brief period near high or low tide when the tidal current is minimal. It is the best time for divers to enter the water and for boats to navigate narrow passages or harbour entrances.
Can I use last year's tide chart?
Tidal predictions repeat in a 19-year Metonic cycle but the exact times and heights change each year. Always use the current year's tide chart for navigation or time-critical activities.
Where can I find a tide chart for my location?
NOAA provides free tide predictions for thousands of US stations at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov. For international locations the relevant national hydrographic office provides official predictions.