King tides
"King tide" is an informal name for the highest predicted tides of the year. It is not a scientific term, and on our pages it simply means the year's top predicted highs at each station.
What makes a tide extra high
Tides are biggest when the sun and moon pull in line, at new and full moon (spring tides). They get bigger still when that lines up with the moon at its closest point to Earth (perigee). Seasonal changes in sea level add a few inches on many coasts at certain times of year.
Because these are astronomical, king tides are known years ahead. Weather is not: an onshore wind or a storm on a king-tide day can push water well above the prediction.
Highest predicted tide of 2027, by town
From each town's NOAA station, in date order. Heights are feet above MLLW; "above average" compares with that station's average high tide in 2027.
| Town | Date and time | Height | Above average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Bay | Thu Jan 21, 8:43 am | 7.1 ft | +2.2 ft |
| Ocean City, NJ | Sun Jul 4, 8:31 pm | 5.7 ft | +1.6 ft |
| Surf City | Sun Jul 4, 8:32 pm | 6.1 ft | +1.7 ft |
| Emerald Isle | Sun Jul 4, 8:42 pm | 3.2 ft | +0.9 ft |
| Carolina Beach | Sun Jul 4, 8:47 pm | 6.1 ft | +1.7 ft |
| Rehoboth Beach | Sun Jul 4, 8:56 pm | 5.6 ft | +1.6 ft |
| La Jolla | Sun Aug 1, 8:55 pm | 7.2 ft | +2.6 ft |
| Carlsbad | Sun Aug 1, 8:55 pm | 7.2 ft | +2.6 ft |
| San Diego | Sun Aug 1, 9:02 pm | 7.5 ft | +2.6 ft |
| Cape May | Mon Aug 2, 8:52 pm | 6.4 ft | +1.8 ft |
| Destin | Sat Aug 28, 8:12 am | 0.9 ft | +0.4 ft |
| Atlantic Beach | Fri Oct 1, 8:34 am | 5.1 ft | +1.3 ft |
| Wrightsville Beach | Fri Oct 1, 8:36 am | 5.7 ft | +1.6 ft |
| Kitty Hawk | Fri Oct 1, 8:50 am | 4.8 ft | +1.4 ft |
| Myrtle Beach | Fri Oct 1, 8:51 am | 6.9 ft | +1.8 ft |
| Virginia Beach | Fri Oct 1, 9:06 am | 5.1 ft | +1.5 ft |
| Ocean City, MD | Fri Oct 1, 9:22 am | 3.1 ft | +0.9 ft |
| Folly Beach | Fri Oct 1, 9:23 am | 6.8 ft | +1.6 ft |
| Tybee Island | Fri Oct 1, 9:26 am | 8.8 ft | +1.8 ft |
| Charleston | Fri Oct 1, 9:31 am | 6.9 ft | +1.6 ft |
| Hilton Head Island | Fri Oct 1, 9:37 am | 7.8 ft | +1.6 ft |
| Gulf Shores | Tue Oct 19, 11:12 pm | 2.1 ft | +0.8 ft |
| Cocoa Beach | Sat Oct 30, 8:49 am | 5.0 ft | +1.5 ft |
| Galveston | Sat Oct 30, 6:09 pm | 2.7 ft | +0.9 ft |
What to expect on a king-tide day
- Little or no dry beach around high tide on narrow beaches, and water up to dunes and seawalls.
- Low streets, parking lots and boat ramps near inlets and back bays can flood, especially with an onshore wind. Check your local National Weather Service office for coastal flood advisories.
- The lows around the same days are often unusually low too, which makes them good days for walking the flats or tide pooling in daylight.