UK Tide Tracker

▶ How do tides work for dummies?

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans. As the Earth rotates, water bulges toward and away from the Moon, creating alternating high and low tides across the globe.

▶ How do tides work in the UK?

The UK experiences two high and two low tides daily due to its position relative to the Atlantic Ocean and the Moon's gravitational pull. Local geography and seabed contours affect the timing and range at different coastal locations.

▶ Why do we have two tides a day?

Earth's oceans form two tidal bulges: one facing the Moon and another on the opposite side. As Earth rotates, each coastal area passes through both bulges, creating two high and two low tides roughly every 24 hours and 50 minutes.

▶ Why do tides happen every 50 minutes?

The Moon moves eastward around Earth each day, delaying the next high tide by about 50 minutes. This results in tides shifting slightly later each day.

▶ Why aren't tides every 12 hours?

Tides occur every 12 hours and 25 minutes on average because the Moon takes just over 24 hours to return to the same position relative to any point on Earth.

▶ Are tides every 12 hours?

Not exactly. Most coastal regions experience two high tides roughly every 12 hours and 25 minutes apart due to the Moon's orbit around Earth.

▶ Are tides every six hours?

Roughly — there are about six hours between a high and a low tide, though this can vary slightly depending on local conditions.

▶ Are tides always 6 hours apart?

The average time between high and low tide is about 6 hours and 12 minutes, but it varies slightly depending on the coastline and lunar position.

▶ How many tides do you get in a day?

Most places on Earth experience two high tides and two low tides each day, known as semidiurnal tides.

▶ How many tides per day in the UK?

The UK generally has two high and two low tides per 24-hour period, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Moon's gravitational pull.

▶ How long is it between high and low tide in the UK?

On average, there are just over six hours between a high and a low tide in the UK, though this varies by region and lunar cycle.

▶ How far in advance are tide times known?

Tide times can be predicted years in advance using astronomical data, as they follow regular lunar and solar cycles.

▶ Where does the tide go when it goes out?

When the tide goes out, seawater moves away from the shore into deeper ocean areas as gravitational forces shift toward another part of the planet.

▶ Why is there a tide on the opposite side of the Earth?

The second high tide on the far side of Earth is caused by inertia: while gravity pulls water toward the Moon, the planet's rotation causes another bulge on the opposite side.

▶ How to work out tide times in the UK?

Tide times can be found using UK Hydrographic Office tables, apps, or harbour websites. They're based on lunar position, coastal shape, and long-term data.

▶ How to read tide times in the UK?

Tide tables list high and low tide times and heights for specific locations. The higher number shows how far the sea rises above chart datum at high tide.

▶ How to read a tide clock?

A tide clock shows where the tide currently is in its cycle. The hand moves clockwise over roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes from "high tide" to "low tide."

▶ How to set a tide clock in the UK?

Set your tide clock during the next local high tide using tide table data. The clock will then stay roughly accurate if the mechanism keeps the 12h 25m cycle.

▶ How do tide time clocks work?

Tide clocks are calibrated to the lunar day (24 hours, 50 minutes). They track the Moon's movement, rotating once every 12 hours and 25 minutes to match the tidal cycle.

▶ What do the numbers mean on a tide clock?

The numbers indicate hours before or after high or low tide, showing how far along the current tidal cycle you are.

▶ What do the meters mean on tide times?

Meters indicate the expected height of the tide above chart datum. The higher the value, the further the water will reach up the shore.

▶ What do the feet mean on a tide chart?

The feet measurement shows tidal height in imperial units, representing how much water level changes between high and low tides.

▶ How do they calculate tide times?

Tide times are calculated using harmonic analysis — a mathematical method combining the effects of the Moon, Sun, and local geography to predict sea level changes.

▶ What is the rule of 6 for tides?

The Rule of Sixths divides the tide's movement between high and low water into six hourly stages: 1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 3/6, 2/6, and 1/6 of the total height change per hour.

▶ What is the rule of 12 in tides?

The Rule of Twelfths is another name for the same principle as the Rule of Sixths, describing how quickly water rises or falls during a six-hour tidal cycle.

▶ What is the 50-90 rule for tides?

The 50-90 rule says that 50% of tidal movement happens in the middle third of the cycle, and 90% within the central four hours — a rough guide to how fast tides move.

▶ Are tide times the same across the UK?

No, tide times differ depending on local coastline shape, depth, and distance from the Atlantic. For example, high tide in Dover may be hours apart from Liverpool.

▶ Why are tide times different around the UK?

The shape of the coastline, seabed contours, and local water flow patterns cause variations in when high and low tides occur around the UK.

▶ Why are tides so big in the UK?

The UK's large tidal range is caused by the Atlantic Ocean's strong tidal forces and funnel-shaped estuaries like the Bristol Channel, which amplify the effect.

▶ Why does the UK have such big tides?

The UK's coastline amplifies tidal energy due to its funnelled estuaries and shallow seabeds, producing some of the world's largest tidal ranges.

▶ Why does the tide go out so far in England?

Broad, shallow shorelines mean that when the tide falls, the sea retreats a long distance. Flat beaches and large tidal ranges create wide intertidal zones.

▶ Where is the highest tide in the UK?

The Bristol Channel near Avonmouth and the Severn Estuary has the UK's highest tides, exceeding 14 metres during spring tides.

▶ What is the biggest tide in the UK?

The Severn Estuary records the largest tidal range in the UK, with extreme tides creating the famous Severn Bore tidal wave.

▶ What time of year are the highest tides in the UK?

The highest tides — called spring tides — occur around the new and full moons, especially during the equinoxes in March and September.

▶ What is tide called in the UK?

In the UK, the word "tide" refers to the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the Moon and Sun's gravity, measured and forecast by the UK Hydrographic Office.

▶ Where are the 10 highest tides in the world?

Top locations include the Bay of Fundy (Canada), Ungava Bay, Bristol Channel (UK), Cook Inlet (Alaska), Mont Saint-Michel Bay (France), and others with narrow, funnel-shaped coasts.

▶ Where is the biggest tide difference?

The Bay of Fundy in Canada has the greatest tidal range in the world, with differences reaching up to 16 metres between high and low tide.

▶ What is the highest tide ever recorded in the world?

The highest recorded tide occurred at Burntcoat Head, Bay of Fundy, Canada, reaching approximately 16.3 metres.

▶ What country has the biggest tides?

Canada has the largest tidal ranges in the world, particularly in the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

▶ What ocean has the highest tide in the world?

The Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the Bay of Fundy, experiences the highest tides due to its funnel shape and resonance effects.

▶ What is the most famous tide in the world?

The Bay of Fundy tide in Canada is the most famous, known for its extreme tidal range and the ability to walk on the seafloor at low tide.

▶ Are tides stronger during a full moon?

Yes. During a full or new moon, the Moon, Sun, and Earth align, causing spring tides with higher highs and lower lows.

▶ Are tides higher at night or day?

Tide height isn't determined by time of day but by the Moon's position. High tides can occur during day or night depending on location.

▶ What are the 4 types of tides?

The four main types are diurnal (one high/low per day), semidiurnal (two of each per day), mixed, and neap tides (smallest range).

▶ What is a twice a month tide called?

A neap tide occurs twice a month when the Sun and Moon are at right angles, resulting in the smallest tidal range.

▶ What is a half moon tide called?

A neap tide happens during a half moon, when gravitational forces from the Sun and Moon partially cancel each other.

▶ What is a super low tide called?

A super low tide, or "minus tide," happens during extreme spring tides when water recedes far below average low tide marks.

▶ What is the king tide phenomenon?

A king tide is the highest predicted tide of the year, occurring when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align closest together.

▶ What is a tidal limit?

The tidal limit is the farthest point upriver reached by tidal influence, marking where the river's flow overtakes tidal effects.

▶ How many times a year does the Severn Bore happen?

The Severn Bore occurs several times annually, most notably around spring tides at new and full moons when tidal ranges are largest.

▶ Does the Severn Bore happen every day?

No, it only occurs during particularly high tides, typically a few dozen times per year, not daily.

▶ Which UK rivers have tidal bores?

The Severn, Dee, Trent, and Eden rivers in the UK occasionally experience tidal bores, though the Severn's is the largest and most famous.

▶ Can you walk on the Bay of Fundy seafloor?

Yes, at low tide visitors can safely walk on designated parts of the Bay of Fundy's exposed seafloor — but tides return fast, so it must be done with care.

Portsmouth

Tide FAQs