The tides play an important part in the Lowcountry's saltmarsh estuary ecosystem.
Tides can affect wildlife behavior, the availability of certain waterways, and also help determine the best schedule for specific types of programs.
Because the tidal schedule shifts forward almost an hour each day, this allows for great variety in the saltmarsh, and flexibility for scheduling adventures!
There are two high tides and two low tides daily, with an average spread of 6 hours 12 minutes 25 seconds between high and low tides (and vice versa). Certain environmental factors, including wind and pressure systems, can affect the tide schedule and water depths, but it's mostly a very predictable process.
Keep in mind that the exact time given for "high" tide or "low" tide is simply the prediction for the turning point in the tidal process for a specific location. There is great variation geographically. And just because the time for high tide is given at 5:15 PM, for example, doesn't mean the tide isn't "high" at 6 o'clock. The water level stays considerably high for the hours prior and after the given scheduled tidal mark. The major depth changes occur within the hours midway between high and low tides.
Here are selections of local tide charts for some of the areas Live Oac explores. Click on the appropriate location to view tide chart and graphical interpretation. If you use Apple iCal or Google Calendar, you can click on the appropriate "subscribe" or "download" link on that page, and the entire tide chart for the list will be added as a new calendar in your program.
Tide Chart for Live Oac dock on Skull Creek at Hilton Head Harbor (N 32˚13', W 80˚46')
Other nearby locations:
Tides can affect wildlife behavior, the availability of certain waterways, and also help determine the best schedule for specific types of programs.
Because the tidal schedule shifts forward almost an hour each day, this allows for great variety in the saltmarsh, and flexibility for scheduling adventures!
There are two high tides and two low tides daily, with an average spread of 6 hours 12 minutes 25 seconds between high and low tides (and vice versa). Certain environmental factors, including wind and pressure systems, can affect the tide schedule and water depths, but it's mostly a very predictable process.
Keep in mind that the exact time given for "high" tide or "low" tide is simply the prediction for the turning point in the tidal process for a specific location. There is great variation geographically. And just because the time for high tide is given at 5:15 PM, for example, doesn't mean the tide isn't "high" at 6 o'clock. The water level stays considerably high for the hours prior and after the given scheduled tidal mark. The major depth changes occur within the hours midway between high and low tides.
Here are selections of local tide charts for some of the areas Live Oac explores. Click on the appropriate location to view tide chart and graphical interpretation. If you use Apple iCal or Google Calendar, you can click on the appropriate "subscribe" or "download" link on that page, and the entire tide chart for the list will be added as a new calendar in your program.
Tide Chart for Live Oac dock on Skull Creek at Hilton Head Harbor (N 32˚13', W 80˚46')
Other nearby locations:
