Discover the 3 Highest Tides in the United States

Each day the Earth’s oceans experience a rise and fall along the coastlines. Water levels begin to swell along the shore and then slowly fall back down again. The gravitational pull of the moon combined with the force of Earth’s rotation causes the planet’s tides to rise and fall.

In some parts of the world, tidal variations are so tiny that they are barely noticeable. In other areas, the difference between high tide and low tide is stunning. The highest tides in the world occur in Canada, particularly the Bay of Fundy. Here, high tide can reach 56 feet, and the mean (average) is 38.4 feet.

Although the United States typically has lower tidal variations than other parts of the world, such as Canada and Europe, there is a place in the U.S. that makes the world’s top five highest tides list. Read on to learn about the three states with the highest tides in the U.S.

3. Puget Sound, Washington — 12 Feet

Puget Sound, located in the Pacific Northwest, is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean and part of the Salish Sea. On the map, it can be found along the northwestern coast of Washington. Puget Sound contains a system of interconnected marine waterways.

Tides in the Sound peak at around 12 feet in Deception Pass. Deception Pass is a strait in Washington connecting the Puget Sound with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The strait is surrounded by Deception Pass State Park, one of the most stunningly beautiful and popular state parks in Washington. Deception Pass Bridge, 18 stories above the water, provides a spectacular view of the swirling changing tides beneath.

2. Eastport, Maine — 18 Feet

Along the East Coast, the mean tide tends to decrease from north to south, with the highest tide variations reported near the Bay of Fundy in Eastport, Maine. Although not as extreme as the tides on the Canadian side of the Bay of Fundy, Eastport sees high tides that average about 18 feet. In contrast, tide ranges in the Florida Keys average less than one foot.

Eastport is the most northern city in Maine, and the Eastport Islands are about as far north as you can get before reaching Canada. The coastal town sits across the bay from New Brunswick, Canada. It boasts the deepest port on the East Coast and is known for its powerful ocean currents and extreme tide variations. 

1. Cook Inlet, Alaska — 30 Feet

Finally, the place in the U.S. with the highest tides can be found in Alaska. Cook Inlet is home to the highest tidal variations in the country, with an average in some places of 30 feet. It’s such an extreme that it makes the world’s top five lists for the highest tides in the world.

Cook Inlet runs 180 miles from Anchorage to the Gulf of Alaska and is supplied by several water sources including the Knik, Little Susitna, Susitna, and Matanuska Rivers. The shape of bays can contribute to the variation of tides. Cook Inlet’s bay is elongated, similar to that of the Bay of Fundy. Low tides in Cook Inlet reveal tidepools teeming with diverse marine life.

About Low and High Tides

Beachgoers, hikers, sailors, and fishermen need to be aware of the predicted high and low tides in their area. Fortunately, tides are reliable and easy for scientists to predict. Most coastal areas have two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours.

Check Tide Tables Before You Go

When you visit areas with tidal variations, be sure to check tide tables before you head out. Tide tables show the daily predictions for low and high tide and their heights. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) makes tide predictions for over 3,000 locations in the U.S. 

Low tides will provide more beach space and may reveal tidal pools with fascinating ocean life, which is not always visible from land. You also don’t want to get trapped in a place during low tide as high tide is coming in. Tides can come in quickly, surprising beachgoers by washing away beach chairs, or blocking paths around coves and rocky areas.

Intertidal Life

The land that falls within the tidal range is called the intertidal zone. This area often contains tide pools, which are completely underwater at high tide. When the water ebbs, pockets of water remain, revealing a rich biodiversity. Some animals you may see in tide pools include starfish, sea slugs, and geoducks. 

Summary of the 3 Highest Tides in the United States

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