As a charter boat captain that runs private Hilton Head Boat Tours all year round, I get an absolute ton of questions from our guests about pretty much everything. But this weekend I was on a Hilton Head Dolphin Cruise and I got an excellent question. One of our guests asked about the tides and why we had such a significant tidal range here on Hilton Head Island? That got me thinking; maybe now would be a good time to put pen to paper and share a collection of the top 15 questions I consistently get about the tides.
What are tides generally caused by?
The moon is the most critical factor in creating our tides because of its proximity to Earth. The Sun’s gravitational force on the Earth is only 46% of the Moon’s. Did you know that 150 plus other factors also affect tides?
Do the tides change at the same time every day?
The answer is no. The tidal cycle is 24 hours and 50 minutes long. Which means they shift daily.
How many tidal changes are in a day?
On Hilton Head and the Atlantic Seaboard, the tides will go from low – high – low – high or high – low – high – low. This is a Semi-diurnal tide.
Do tides affect surfing?
They can; tides can impact wave height by almost 25%.
Can tides affect wave height while boating?
Yes, when tides and wind are opposed, that will affect wave height and could make for a really “sporty” day on the water.
Are tides predictable?
Absolutely. You can get tidal ranges for the year and beyond, specific to your chosen location, through Google.
Are tides the same everywhere?
The answer is no – some places in the world have a more extensive tidal range because of the shape of the ocean floor. In the Bay of Fundy – the tidal range is approximately 53 feet; in the Caribbean Sea, they are 4-8 inches; in Hilton Head, the tidal range is between 6-8 feet.
Can tides affect fishing?
The best time to fish is when the tide runs from high to low or low to high. When you get to slack tide – where the current is slowest- the fish are less likely to bite. Tides are strongest in shallow waters where lands narrow and the water current travel through tighter spaces.
What is a “spring” tide?
When we are just after a full moon, we have the most significant difference in the height of tides.
What is a “slack” tide?
It is between high and low tides when the tide changes and the least amount of water moves in and out of the coast. In general slack tide is one hour before and one hour after high and low tide.
What is a “king” tide?
This term describes when we have the highest tides of the year. On Hilton Head, they can be 1-2 feet more elevated for the highest high and lowest low. For 2023 SC DHEC predicts that the King tides will be on or around: AUG 1-2, Aug 29-SEP 1, SEP 26-OCT 2, OCT 27-31, NOV 26-27
When is the tide the fastest?
Generally, tides will be the quickest mid-way between high and low when the tide goes out.
What is a “rip” tide?
A strong current caused by tidal flow in confined areas such as inlets, presenting a hazard to swimmers and boaters.
Why are tides important to boaters? Tides impact:
- How much room you have to clear under a bridge – think sailboat masts.
- Where and when you can run aground – especially in the waters of Hilton Head
- For anchoring, you definitely need to take tides into account. If you don’t leave enough line on your anchor line, your boat could drift away because the boat pops your anchor.
- Coming in or going out through narrow channels. If you want to laugh out loud or recoil in horror – just google Haulover Inlet in Florida. Here’s a recent top 10 video for Haulover Inlet – HAULOVER BOATS TOP 10 FOR 2022 !! | Boats vs Haulover Inlet – Bing video
Do I have any good boating/tide stories?
The answer is an emphatic yes! At the most recent RBC Heritage tournament, I saw an inexperienced boater get his prop severely tangled up in somebody else’s anchor line because they weren’t paying attention to what the wind and tides were doing. Then the “captain” had to get into the water to untangle the line from the prop – which they did without lifejackets (not smart), and underneath his rocking boat’s swim platform. It took them an hour to free the line, and then they had no plan for what to do next!
How do I know? Their boat drifted hard and fast after they freed it from their tangled motor and before they realized and got it into gear they smashed into another anchored boat before they got out of the anchoring field. The good news is the US Coast Guard boarded them immediately after that. The even better news, I captured the initial anchor tangle on my cell phone (see cover photo)
So, there you have it, all you needed or wanted to know about tides all in one place. If by chance you find yourself visiting Hilton Head Island and want to get out for one of our Hilton Head Dolphin Tours, a two-hour Hilton Head Sunset Cruise, or perhaps you are going to be hosting a Hilton Head Bachelorette Party? If so, feel free to give us a holler at Hilton Head Boat Charters and we will craft a memorable aquatic adventure for you.
