Guide
King tides
The highest predicted tides of the year, and when they reach each beach in the next 12 months.
- 3 min read
- Dates for 10 beach towns
- From NOAA predictions
- The year’s highest tidesA spring tide when the moon is also at its closest to Earth.
- Predictable years aheadEast Coast peaks fall mostly between September and January; the West Coast’s in December and January.
- Weather decides the floodingOnshore wind or a storm on top of a king tide is what floods low roads.
What makes a king tide
“King tide” is the popular name for the highest predicted tides of the year. They come when three things line up: a spring tide (just after a new or full moon), the moon at perigee, its closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit, and, in winter, the Earth near its closest point to the sun.
All of that is clockwork, so king tides are predicted years ahead. What they do on the day depends on the weather: a steady onshore wind or a storm surge can add a foot or more on top of the prediction.
The highest predicted tide of each month over the next 12 months, in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW). Dark bars: the year’s peak. Dashed line: the average daily high, 5.5 ft.
The highest tides of the next 12 months
- Myrtle BeachSouth Carolina6.9 ftOctober 1, 2027, 8:51 AM · 1.4 ft above the average daily high Sep 306.9 ftNov 256.8 ft
- Hilton Head IslandSouth Carolina7.8 ftOctober 1, 2027, 9:37 AM · 1.3 ft above the average daily high Sep 307.8 ftOct 297.8 ft
- Lincoln CityOregon8.3 ftDecember 24, 2026, 11:33 AM · 1.8 ft above the average daily high Dec 238.2 ftDec 258.2 ft
- SanibelFlorida3.7 ftJuly 4, 2027, 12:08 PM · 0.9 ft above the average daily high Aug 13.6 ftAug 23.6 ft
- ChincoteagueVirginia2.5 ftOctober 1, 2027, 9:43 AM · 0.7 ft above the average daily high Sep 302.5 ftOct 22.5 ft
- Cape MayNew Jersey6.4 ftAugust 2, 2027, 8:52 PM · 1.3 ft above the average daily high Jul 46.3 ftJul 56.3 ft
- Tybee IslandGeorgia8.8 ftOctober 1, 2027, 9:26 AM · 1.5 ft above the average daily high Sep 308.8 ftOct 298.8 ft
- Fernandina BeachFlorida7.9 ftOctober 1, 2027, 10:25 AM · 1.4 ft above the average daily high Sep 307.8 ftOct 297.8 ft
- Surf CityNorth Carolina6.3 ftNovember 25, 2026, 7:18 AM · 1.4 ft above the average daily high Nov 266.2 ftNov 246.1 ft
- St. Augustine BeachFlorida6.5 ftNovember 25, 2026, 8:02 AM · 1.4 ft above the average daily high Nov 266.5 ftOct 16.4 ft
Predictions, not forecasts: wind and storms can raise the water further. Heights in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).
Seeing a king tide
- Go at the predicted time, not just the date: the peak lasts less than an hour.
- Stay off seawalls and jetties when waves are running; a king tide brings the water close to the top.
- Many coastal states run king-tide photo projects that collect pictures of how high the water gets.
More guides
All guides- Spring and neap tidesWhy the tides grow and shrink every two weeks with the moon, and the dates of the coming spring and neap tides at each beach town.Read the guide
- The best tide for fishingWhy moving water fishes better than slack tide, incoming versus outgoing, and this week’s days with the strongest tides at each beach town.Read the guide
- The best tide for shellingWhy shelling is best on a low tide, especially a minus tide after a new or full moon, and the lowest daylight tides of the next three months.Read the guide
Tides for your beach
Today’s tides, the week ahead and a printable calendar for every month, with the water temperature.