🌊 Quick Guide: Using Our Tide Tables
Our tide tables are here to help with general planning (like walks, fishing, or trips to the beach), but please don’t rely on them for safety-critical decisions such as navigation or rescue planning.
Tides can change. Weather, pressure systems, and local conditions can shift actual tide times and heights.
UK & Ireland tables: Based on official data but simplified — good for planning, not for navigation.
France, Belgium, Netherlands & other locations: These may be off by up to 20 minutes or 0.5m compared to official predictions.
For the most accurate information: Always check the official Admiralty EasyTide service or your local hydrographic office.
⚠️ In short: Use our tables for planning, but leave a margin for error. Always double-check official sources for safety.
⚠️ Important Notes on Tidal Predictions
- Predictions, Not Certainties: Tide tables are forecasts based on scientific models. No hydrographic office or organization has exclusive control over tidal predictions, as tides are influenced by the complex interactions of the moon, the sun, and local conditions.
- Local Factors: Weather patterns, pressure systems, and local geography can significantly alter actual tidal heights. For example, periods of high atmospheric pressure often reduce expected water levels.
Margin of Error: All mariners and users should allow for an appropriate margin of error when using tide tables for planning.
Official Tide Tables (UK & Ireland)
Tide tables for the UK and Ireland displayed in the Zoomify Viewer are generated using official harmonics dataand the simplified harmonic method.
These tables are not verified by any Hydrographic Office and are not suitable for navigation.
Users should exercise caution and consult official predictions – for example, the UK Admiralty “EasyTide” service – especially for activities where accuracy and safety are critical.
Non-Official Tide Tables (France, Belgium, Netherlands, and other continental locations)
Tide tables generated using the WXTide program may differ from official sources by up to 20 minutes in timing and 0.5 meters in height.
For official and most accurate predictions, users should consult the UK Admiralty “EasyTide” service or the relevant national hydrographic authority.
Disclaimer: These tide tables are provided “as is” and without any guarantee of accuracy. They are not intended for navigation or for use in circumstances where safety is at risk. Users accept full responsibility for any reliance placed on this information. For official and up-to-date tidal data, always consult the appropriate Hydrographic Office.
This article was originally published on 10 March 2009