Marin Tide Guides

How the tide shapes a day on the Marin coast and bay: king tides and flooding, tide pools and minus tides, Tomales Bay by kayak and by night, and how to read the numbers on a tide chart.

• King TidesKing tides in Marin hit in November, December and January. See when the highest tides peak at Sausalito and Stinson, and which Marin roads go under first.
• Tide PoolsThe best tide pools in Marin are at Duxbury Reef and Sculptured Beach. Learn which minus tides to aim for, how long you have, and the rules on the reef.
• BioluminescenceTomales Bay bioluminescence glows blue on dark summer and fall nights. See what causes it, which moon phase to pick, and how tide and wind shape a night paddle.
• KayakingTomales Bay kayaking is best on a calm morning with the tide in your favor. See all six launch sites, where low tide strands you, and the seasonal closures.
• Read a Tide ChartHow to read a tide chart in a few minutes: what the heights mean, why Marin gets two unequal highs and lows a day, and how to pick a low tide for tidepooling.
• Spring and Neap TidesSpring and neap tides follow the moon. See why the tide range swings from about 4 feet to more than 8 feet on the Marin coast, and why it matters at the beach.
• Minus TidesA minus tide drops below zero on the tide chart and uncovers reef you rarely see. See when negative tides hit Marin, what time of day, and how to stay safe.