Spring and Neap Tides Explained
Over a month, the tide does not rise and fall by the same amount every day. For about a week it swings wide, with high highs and low lows: these are spring tides. A week later it barely moves: these are neap tides. The cycle follows the phases of the moon.
Spring tides: sun and moon in line
At new moon and full moon, the sun, the Earth and the moon are in a line. The sun's tidal pull, a bit less than half of the moon's, adds to it, so the ocean's two tidal bulges are at their largest. High tides are higher and low tides are lower than average. The name has nothing to do with the season: it comes from the water "springing up". Spring tides usually come one or two days after the new or full moon, because the oceans take time to respond.
Neap tides: sun and moon at right angles
At first and last quarter, the sun and the moon pull at right angles. The sun's pull partly cancels the moon's, and the tidal range is at its smallest: high tides are lower, low tides higher. Neap tides are the calm part of the month, with weaker currents in inlets and channels.
Next spring and neap tides
Moon phases of the next three months (UTC). Expect spring tides in the one to two days after each new and full moon, and neap tides after each quarter.
| Date (UTC) | Moon | Tides that follow |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 2026 | First quarter | Neap tides |
| Oct 26, 2026 | Full moon | Spring tides |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Last quarter | Neap tides |
| Nov 9, 2026 | New moon | Spring tides |
| Nov 17, 2026 | First quarter | Neap tides |
| Nov 24, 2026 | Full moon | Spring tides |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Last quarter | Neap tides |
| Dec 9, 2026 | New moon | Spring tides |
| Dec 17, 2026 | First quarter | Neap tides |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Full moon | Spring tides |
| Dec 30, 2026 | Last quarter | Neap tides |
| Jan 7, 2027 | New moon | Spring tides |
How big is the difference?
Typical tidal range at spring and at neap tides in popular places, calculated over the next twelve months (the 10% largest and 10% smallest daily ranges).
| Place | Spring tide range | Neap tide range |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland Auckland | 3.0 m | 1.9 m |
| Folly Beach South Carolina | 7.0 ft | 4.4 ft |
| Plymouth England | 4.8 m | 2.3 m |
| San Diego California | 7.8 ft | 3.6 ft |
| Worthing England | 5.3 m | 2.8 m |
| Townsville Queensland | 3.1 m | 1.1 m |
| Swansea Wales | 8.5 m | 4.2 m |
| Sydney New South Wales | 1.7 m | 0.9 m |
What it changes for boaters
At spring tides, currents in inlets and under bridges run hardest, low tide can leave shallow ramps and channels without enough water, and the highest high tides of the month can cover low docks. Neap tides give the gentlest currents and the most predictable water depth through the day. On every Marinalo tide page, the 7-day table marks spring and neap days for that place, because the local range matters more than the moon phase alone. When a spring tide falls close to the moon's perigee it becomes a king tide.
Questions
- What is a spring tide?
- A spring tide is a tide with a large range: higher highs and lower lows. It happens a day or two after a new or full moon, when the sun and moon pull in line. It has nothing to do with the season.
- What is a neap tide?
- A neap tide has a small range. It happens near the first and last quarter moon, when the sun and moon pull at right angles.
- How often do spring and neap tides happen?
- Each about twice a month: spring tides follow the new and full moon, neap tides follow the quarter moons, about a week apart.
More tide guides
King tides How the moon affects tides Tide times worldwide How we calculate tides
Sources: NOAA Tides & Currents education pages and standard oceanography textbooks; tide dates and heights on this page are calculated by Marinalo from the stations listed on our methodology page. Not for navigation.