How it works
The tide at a glance.
The hand takes 12 hours and 25 minutes to travel once around the dial — the average gap between one high tide and the next.
Each clockface is inspired by the beautiful and popular seaside locations in Ireland & the UK – then carefully illustrated by our designer
Water level
High tide
How to set a tide clock:
1. Wait for the Right Moon
It's important to set your tide clock on the day of a full moon or new moon for the best accuracy.
2. Check High Tide
Find the exact time of the next high tide for your location.
3. Set Your Clock
At high tide, insert the battery and turn the adjustment wheel until the hand points to High Tide.
As featured in
FAQ
How do the tides come in and out?
The moon is the biggest factor in determining the cause of tides.
24 hours and 50 minutes is the time it takes for a specific site on the Earth to rotate from an exact point under the moon to the same point under the moon.
Every full completion is called a lunar day (also known as a ‘tidal day’). Or to put it all more simply, a lunar day is the time it takes for the moon to appear in the same place in the sky.
The moon’s gravitational pull generates a tidal force by pulling the water from the sea towards it. This causes a bulge or a high tide on the side of the earth that is closest to the moon.
How do tide clocks work?
Current Tide Clocks are designed to track the moon’s effect on the tide. To do this the hand on our tide clocks complete a full rotation every 12 hours, 25 minutes and 14 seconds – this is the average time it takes the tide to come in and out on semidiurnal coasts.
Although not as much as the moon, the sun also impacts the tides – so all tide clocks will have deviations in accuracy throughout the month. Read below to find out how to set your tide clock and minimise these deviations.
How accurate are tide clocks?
All tide clocks have deviations of up to one hour when set correctly.
It is important not to readjust the clock during these deviations as it will upset the overall accuracy. Only set the clock on days of full moons or new moons for accurate results.
Do tide clocks work on all coasts?
No, tide clocks only work on semi-diurnal coasts. View our world tidal map to see if a clock is suitable.
What size are Current Tide Clocks?
Current Tide Clocks are 13 inches wide in diameter.
What are the materials?
Current Clocks are made with a pine wood framing and dome glass covering.