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EXPERIENCE > SCIENCE TOOLS
To get the most out of your beach exploration experience, the best time to visit is during low tide — when the ocean recedes to reveal the various animals and seaweeds that live along our sandy beaches. The ocean’s tides are controlled by the gravitational pull of the moon, and to a lesser extent the sun.
The moon pulls the ocean water towards it, creating a bulge of water or a high tide. There are usually two high tides in every 24-hour cycle. Because these tide-causing forces are so well known, the height of sea level can be predicted pretty accurately. These predictions are published as tide tables. When you get your local tide table, search for the location of the beach you want to visit and the date you want to visit on. The information will be organized chronologically (by time), so you can see what hours are the best for you to visit.
To get the most out of your beach exploration experience, the best time to visit is during low tide — when the ocean recedes to reveal the various animals and seaweeds that live along our sandy beaches. The ocean’s tides are controlled by the gravitational pull of the moon, and to a lesser extent the sun.
The moon pulls the ocean water towards it, creating a bulge of water or a high tide. There are usually two high tides in every 24-hour cycle. Because these tide-causing forces are so well known, the height of sea level can be predicted pretty accurately. These predictions are published as tide tables. When you get your local tide table, search for the location of the beach you want to visit and the date you want to visit on. The information will be organized chronologically (by time), so you can see what hours are the best for you to visit.
Where To Find Tide Tables:
Sporting goods stores, government agencies, educational institutions, general stores, hotels and restaurants often give away free tide table booklets. You can also find one at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Tides and Currents Website or do a simple internet search to find them in your area.
Related Features: Youth Activities: Beachcombing | Water and Beach Safety
Related Features: Youth Activities: Beachcombing | Water and Beach Safety
