Spring and neap tides
The difference between high and low water, the tide range, is not the same every day. It swells and shrinks on a roughly two-week cycle that follows the moon.
Spring tides
At new moon and full moon, the sun and moon pull along the same line. Their tides add up: highs are higher, lows are lower, and the range is at its largest. These are spring tides. The name has nothing to do with the season; it comes from the water "springing" up.
Neap tides
At the first and last quarter moons, the sun pulls at right angles to the moon and partly cancels it. Highs are lower, lows are higher, and the range is at its smallest. These are neap tides.
The cycle at Myrtle Beach
Daily range at Springmaid Pier, Myrtle Beach for 21 days from Sunday, November 15, 2026, with the moon's phases. The biggest range in this stretch is 7.4 ft on Thu Nov 26; the smallest is 3.6 ft on Mon Nov 16. On many coasts the largest ranges come a day or two after the new or full moon rather than on the day itself.
| Day | Range | Bar | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Nov 15 | 3.8 ft | ||
| Mon Nov 16 | 3.6 ft | ||
| Tue Nov 17 | 3.7 ft | First quarter | |
| Wed Nov 18 | 3.8 ft | ||
| Thu Nov 19 | 4.1 ft | ||
| Fri Nov 20 | 4.7 ft | ||
| Sat Nov 21 | 5.4 ft | ||
| Sun Nov 22 | 6.2 ft | ||
| Mon Nov 23 | 6.3 ft | ||
| Tue Nov 24 | 7.1 ft | Full moon | |
| Wed Nov 25 | 7.4 ft | ||
| Thu Nov 26 | 7.4 ft | ||
| Fri Nov 27 | 7.1 ft | ||
| Sat Nov 28 | 6.6 ft | ||
| Sun Nov 29 | 6.0 ft | ||
| Mon Nov 30 | 5.4 ft | ||
| Tue Dec 1 | 4.9 ft | Last quarter | |
| Wed Dec 2 | 4.8 ft | ||
| Thu Dec 3 | 4.9 ft | ||
| Fri Dec 4 | 5.1 ft | ||
| Sat Dec 5 | 5.3 ft |
Why it matters on the beach
- Spring-tide lows uncover the most sand, sandbars and rock: the best days for long walks, shelling and tide pooling.
- Spring-tide highs leave the least dry beach. The biggest of the year are often called king tides.
- Neap days are gentler: less change between high and low, and slower currents in inlets.