High Tide & Low Tide Times

Estimated from the moon's position, not real observed data. Actual tide times depend heavily on local coastline shape and can differ by an hour or more — for navigation or safety, use an official tide table for your area.

About tide time estimates

Tides rise and fall mainly because of the Moon's gravitational pull as it orbits the Earth, with high tides occurring roughly when the Moon is overhead or on the opposite side of the Earth. This tool estimates high and low tide times for a chosen coastal city or your location on any date, based on the timing of the Moon passing overhead.

How the estimate is calculated

The tool computes when the Moon crosses your local meridian (directly overhead or on the opposite side of the Earth) using standard low-precision lunar position formulas, and treats those moments as approximate high tides, with low tides falling roughly halfway between them. Real-world tides are also affected by coastline shape, water depth, and local currents, which this astronomical model doesn't include.

Frequently asked questions

Are these tide times as accurate as official tide tables?
No — this is an astronomical approximation based on the Moon's position, not measured tide-gauge data. Official tide tables from a local harbor authority account for coastline shape and water depth and will be more accurate for boating, fishing, or safety-critical decisions.
Why do high tides happen roughly twice a day?
As the Earth rotates, most coastlines pass through two bulges in the ocean caused by the Moon's gravity (one facing the Moon, one on the opposite side), producing two high tides and two low tides in about 24 hours 50 minutes.
Does the Sun affect tides too?
Yes, though less than the Moon. This tool models only the lunar contribution, which is why estimated tide heights and exact timing can differ somewhat from real measured tides, especially around new and full moon when solar and lunar effects combine (spring tides).