Learning to read tide tables is an essential skill for anyone whose livelihood or enjoyment depends on the movements of the ocean, be it anglers, divers or surfers, for example. Reading ocean tide tables can be quite complex, but thanks to this tutorial you will finally learn how to interpret one.
Steps
Step 1. Determine the area for which you need tide information
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Beaches, ports and fishing spots, although very close to each other, can have drastically different tides. A specific tide table for your area is important.
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Step 2. Obtain local tide tables
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There are many sources from which ocean tide tables can be acquired. You can search the internet or visit the local marina.
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Step 3. Determine if you need to analyze a specific day or if your flexibility allows you to use the tide tables as a guide
If your calendar is flexible, the best choice will be to observe the tables and identify the best day and time of the tides based on your specific needs
Step 4. Find the corresponding day and time
- Days and dates will be placed at the top of the tables divided into columns.
- You will see 2 numbers just below the day and date line. They are related to a specific time of day, the first number indicates the rising of the sun, the second the rising of the moon. Times are based on a 24-hour breakdown of the day, so remember to interpret them correctly.
- Below these times you can see a graph with a curved line forming a wave motion that includes peaks and troughs. Between these peaks and troughs are available the times with the corresponding graphs. This data will show you the maximum tide levels, high (peaks) and low (troughs).
- Below the graph you will find 2 other times, relating to the times of the setting of the sun and the moon.
- You will see numbers on the left and right side of the chart, starting at -1 and going up to +3. Negative numbers will be red, positive numbers will be blue. These numbers in meters or feet indicate how low or high the tide will be.
- For example, if you want to identify a Sunday low tide, look for the Sunday column at the top of the table and locate the lowest point of the wave graph. Next to the track you will find a timetable that will tell you what time the low tide peak will occur that day. Look to the left or right of the graph and follow the lowest point of the tide to quantify the tidal shift in meters.
