Tide Table FAQs
How do I read tide charts?
High and low tides occur at a different time each day and are
provided for the hours the Hopewell Rocks park is open to the
public.
Water levels also vary each day. The higher values indicate
high tides; the low values indicate low tides. A high tide at the Hopewell
Rocks means the water level may be anywhere from 10 to 14 metres (32
to 46 feet). The higher the value, the higher the water level.
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This chart tells us that on the 1st of the
month, low tide will occur at 6:43 am (water levels will be
1.6 ft/0.5 metres) and again at 19:05 pm (water levels 2.6
ft/0.8 metres)
High tide will occur at 12:36 pm with a particularly
high water level of 42 ft / 12.8 metres.
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Why are the tides different heights?
The water level of the tides fluctuates with the phases of the
moon. The highest tides (40+ feet or 12+ metres) are seen when the
moon is new or full. Check the Old Farmer's Almanac
for general monthly moon
phase calendars or the Weather
Network for Moncton for the sun/moon for more specific
times. Learn more…
How do you measure the tides? 
Land contour levels are measured as "above mean sea
level" or "ASML" (note: some people are more familiar
with the terms, "above sea level" or "ASL"),
however tide heights are measured using "Chart Datum" as the
base reference point.
"Chart Datum" is the lowest mean water
level measured over a period of time for a particular area. Tide
references with a positive value show the feet or meters above Chart
Datum; tide levels with a negative value show a lower than normal low
tide.
Why do the tides occur at different times each day?
The time difference between low and high tide is 6 hours and 13
minutes, so each complete high/low cycle takes 12 hours and 26
minutes. The Bay of Fundy experiences two high/low cycles occurring
each day. The total elapsed time for two cycles equals 24 hours and 52
minutes.
Example: If a high tide occurs Monday morning at 8:00 am, it
will occur next at 8:26 pm, then again Tuesday at approximately 8:52
am.
When can I walk on the ocean floor?
At the Hopewell Rocks, there is a unique opportunity to walk on the
ocean's floor from 3 hours before low tide until 3 hours
after, so
it's important to check the tide tables before you visit.
Example: If the tide table shows low tide occurring at 1:00 p.m.,
you can walk on the beach from 10:00 am (3 hours before low tide)
until 4:00 pm (3 hours after low tide). |
