Take and Share King Tides Photos

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Statewide: November 24-26, 2026, December 23-25, 2026, & January 21-22, 2027
Northern California locations may also include: December 22, January 20, and/or January 23
Check the tide map for your local dates and times.

We need your photos of the King Tides! Start by choosing where you want to go and then look at the tide map below to find the days, times, and heights of king tides at that location. Your photos will be displayed on an interactive map.

* LEARN HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR KING TIDES PHOTOS *

The most important thing to remember is to be safe! Take care on slippery areas and stay back from big waves. Pay attention to your surroundings and the weather conditions. Don't turn your back on the ocean! Please be aware that shore birds and other animals may be taking refuge in areas above the tide line - don't flush them out in the process of getting your shot.

Some of the most powerful images are taken in areas subject to flooding and erosion, and places where high water levels can be understood next to landmarks such as cliffs, rocks, roads, buildings, bridge supports, sea walls, staircases, and piers.

In addition to uploading your photos, you can also share them on social media using #kingtides. We'll be liking and sharing your posts throughout the King Tides season.

Download a How to Participate flyer to share the project with others.

We held a webinar on December 2, 2025 to walk through how to participate in the project, including tips on how to take a great king tides photo. View a video of the presentation.

Join #KingTides on social media:

Sign Up for King Tides Emails

Tide Map
Choose where you want to photograph and then find the nearest pin on on the map below. That will tell you what time high tide will be, and you should take your photo as near to that time as you can, ideally within a half hour. (We're looking for photos in any California location influenced by the tides; you aren't limited to the locations pinned on this map.) If you have trouble viewing the map on this webpage, open it in a separate window. You can also check NOAA's Tides & Currents webpage directly to find additional tide information.

Depending on location, some of the King Tide dates may be significantly higher than others. Try to take your photographs on the day of your location's highest tide, if you're able. Storm swells may increase water height, so it's helpful to check swell forecasts. Focusing on our designated King Tides dates allows us to create a "snapshot" of the whole coast on the highest predicted water levels of the year.

UPLOAD PHOTOS

You can upload photos using either a web browser or with the Survey123 app. Please email kingtides@coastal.ca.gov if you have trouble uploading your photos.

To upload photos using a web browser:

Be sure to have location services ON for your camera when you take your photo! This is the default setting, but you can check on an iPhone by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Camera. For Android, go to Settings > Location. If using a camera without location services/GPS, carefully make a note of where you took your photos so you can mark that location on a map when you upload them.
Either at your photo location or later, go to the King Tides Photo Upload form.
Upload your King Tides photo and complete the form. Repeat for additional photos. Your phone's Location Services will allow us to confirm the location of your photo, but you will also be able to mark the location of your photo on a map.

To use the app:
You can download a PDF of the instructions below, including screenshots of the app.

Download the free Survey123 app from your app store and then exit the app. (At this point, if you open the app from your phone, it will ask you to sign in to an Esri account. Don't worry, you don't need an account. Close the app and move on to Step 2 below.)
Go to the King Tides Photo Upload form using your phone's web browser.
Select "Open in Survey 123 field app."
IMPORTANT: Before the app launches, it will ask you to allow it to access your location while in use. Select "Allow".
After you've launched the form the first time, you'll be able to access it by simply opening the Survey123 app on your phone. Select "Collect" to launch the form.
Upload your King Tides photo and complete and submit the form by tapping the checkmark icon at the bottom of the screen. You will need to upload each photo individually. The app will tag each photo with its geographic location. Complete the form for each photo you want to upload. If preferred, you can use the app without using your phone's data by completing the upload of your photos later when you're on wifi. See instructions below.

To Use the App Offline:

While you're online, follow steps #1 through #4 above. Once you've done that, you'll be able to open the King Tides Project Photo Survey in the Survey123 app even when offline.
Forms completed while offline will be saved in the app's outbox. While at your King Tides location, submit a form for each photo you want to upload. (Tap the checkmark icon at the bottom of the screen to submit.) The app will tag each photo with its geographic location.
When you are in service range or on WiFi, go back into the Survey123 app on your phone and select the King Tides Project Survey under "My Surveys".
Select "Outbox" and then "Send".