California King Tides Project

California King Tides Project

How to Participate  |   King Tides Photo Gallery  |   About King Tides  |   Educator Resources

Statewide:
November 24-26, 2026
December 23-25, 2026
January 21-22, 2027

Northern California locations may also include Dec. 22, Jan. 20, and/or Jan. 23.
Check the tide map for your local dates and times.

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King Tides are the highest predicted tides of the year. Your photos help us understand the impact of these tides and how sea level rise is changing our shoreline. What will our coast look like when the King Tides of today become our everyday high tides?

Join the project by taking and sharing photos of the shoreline during King Tides.

Find out what time and how high the King Tides will be at your chosen location. Learn how to participate and add your King Tides photos to our interactive photo map. As always, please be cautious and respect the power of the ocean, and don't disturb shorebirds and other animals that may be much farther upland than usual. Download a How to Participate flyer to share the project with others.

This fall and winter, scientists anticipate that California will experience a historically strong or "super" El Niño, along with Kelvin waves which cause a temporary increase in sea level. Coastal communities may experience more frequent and intense storms, rainfall, and high waves. These conditions can result in actual tide heights exceeding tide predictions. Read more about El Niño.



On King Tide days we also experience extreme low tides, a great time to explore tide pools. Learn how to protect tide pool animals when you're visiting their home.

Contact the California King Tides Project at kingtides@coastal.ca.gov.