Esquimalt tides today
- Tide now 5.4 ft ↑ rising · high 4:00 pm (5.5 ft)
- Best time to fish 3:00–4:30 pm good day · 8/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 0.5 ft · 53 °F smooth · 6.3 s from the west
- Wind · air 5 mph · 53 °F from the SW, gusts 10 · drizzle
- Sun 7:54 am–6:00 pm 10 h 7 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 7:17 pm waning gibbous · rises at 7:17 pm
- Best time to dive 2:50–4:40 pm great day · 10/10
- Strong wind warning · Haro Strait: winds of 20 to 33 knots at sea. Until further notice. Environment Canada
Today in Esquimalt there is high tide at 4:00 pm (5.5 ft) and low tide at 12:58 am. Tide coefficient 103. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 4:00 pm. The sun rises at 7:54 am and sets at 6:00 pm: 10 h 7 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 7:17 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:57 am to 3:57 am and from 2:29 pm to 4:29 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is smooth, with 0.5 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the southwest (5 mph). Drizzle, 53 °F.
Fishing in Esquimalt today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- High tide at 4:00 pm, coefficient 103
- Major period 2:29–4:29 pm
- Steady pressure (29.97 inHg), light onshore wind (6 mph) and calm sea (0.5 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 103 (big spring tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, combines the 4:00 pm high tide, a major period and a light onshore breeze. Also good from 12:00 am to 3:00 am, with the 12:58 am low tide, a major period, falling pressure and a light onshore breeze.
Species with the most records nearby: coho salmon, Chinook salmon, lingcod and market squid. What you can catch
Beach day in Esquimalt
Is it a beach day?
- Mostly sunny
- Onshore breeze (6 mph)
- Calm for swimming: 1.0 ft waves
- Feels like 48 °F: chilly for the beach
- Thunderstorms: get out of the water and off the beach
- Water at 53 °F (very cold)
Thunderstorms during beach hours: get out of the water and off the sand as soon as you hear thunder.
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 1.0 ft
1.0 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 53 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 6 mph
Onshore breeze (6 mph).
- Tide & sand 12:58 am
Low tide at 12:58 am: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 4:00 pm. Coefficient 103 (spring tides): little sand left at high tide.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Esquimalt
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Fleming Beach 1.1 mi · S
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Steve Fonyo Beach 2.6 mi · SE
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Mile Zero Beach 2.7 mi · SE
- Parking
- Finlayson Point Beach 2.9 mi · SE
- Parking
- Gonzales Beach 4.2 mi · SE
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Willows Beach 5.1 mi · E
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Witty's Beach 5.8 mi · SW
- Restrooms
- Parking
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Esquimalt
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Esquimalt
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 12:58 am 0.3 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 4:00 pm 5.5 ft · coef. 103
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 1 h 6 min to high tide at 4:00 pm.
Tide coefficient 103 for the 4:00 pm high tide. Big spring tides. The water rises and falls 5.2 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on January 2 (6.4 ft) and the lowest, on June 18 (-0.1 ft).
Diurnal: one high and one low tide a day most days.
Heights above lower low water, large tide (LLWLT), the zero of Canadian charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. LLWLT
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month come from October 28 to 29 (coefficient 105, 5.2 ft range). The smallest, on October 23 (coefficient 27, 2.2 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:54 am · 6:00 pm | Low tide 12:58 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 4:00 pm · 5.5 ft | Coef. 103 | 91% | Major periods 1:57 am · 2:29 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:55 am · 5:59 pm | Low tide 1:59 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 4:27 pm · 5.5 ft | Coef. 105 | 83% | Major periods 3:01 am · 3:33 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:57 am · 5:57 pm | Low tide 3:00 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 4:43 pm · 5.1 ft | Coef. 102 | 73% | Major periods 4:06 am · 4:37 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:58 am · 5:55 pm | Low tide 3:59 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 2:18 pm · 4.7 ft | Coef. 96 | 62% | Major periods 5:07 am · 5:36 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 8:00 am · 5:54 pm | Low tide 4:55 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 2:12 pm · 4.5 ft | Coef. 87 | Last quarter | Major periods 6:04 am · 6:31 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 8:02 am · 5:52 pm | Low tide 5:44 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 2:27 pm · 4.3 ft | Coef. 74 | 40% | Major periods 6:57 am · 7:21 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 8:03 am · 5:51 pm | Low tide 6:22 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 2:35 pm · 4.0 ft | Coef. 60 | 29% | Major periods 7:45 am · 8:08 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above LLWLT. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Gorge at Tillicum station (TICON-4), 1.1 mi from Esquimalt. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database). Source: Hart-Davis, M., Dettmering, D., Seitz, F. (2025), TICON-4: TIdal CONstants based on GESLA-4 sea-level records, SEANOE, https://doi.org/10.17882/109129. Licensed CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Modified: see https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database#modifications-to-source-data
The sea at Esquimalt
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.3 ft
- Significant0.5 ft
- Highest expectedHighest1.1 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 1.1 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 1.1 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Onshore wind. The coast faces southwest and the wind blows straight in from the sea: more surf and backwash at the shore, and bait and boats drift toward land.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Thursday 29: 1.7 ft with a period of 4 s, from the east-southeast (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water cools over the next few days: about 52.3 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water warmer than normal for late October (+3.7 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 2:54 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 46088, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Diving in Esquimalt today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (4:00 pm): little current from 3:30 pm to 4:20 pm
- 0.5 ft swell at 6 s from the west-northwest: barely any surge
- Light onshore wind (6 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the west-southwest, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 12:58 am (12:40–1:20 am) and high tide 4:00 pm (3:30–4:20 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. The sea has been calm and there's been little rain. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 53.1 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: good, calm sea and light wind.
- Night dive: dark from 6:33 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 7:17 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 2:50 pm to 4:40 pm, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also worth a look from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, with little swell, light wind and the sun high, though with current.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Ogden Breakwater Middle Stairs Fish seen: Aulorhynchus flavidus, Pile Perch, Sebastes flavidus, black rockfish 2.0 mi
- North Great Race Fish seen: kelp greenling, black rockfish, Polyorchis penicillatus, Steller's sea lion 11 mi
- S. F. Tolmie 1.3 mi
- Barnard Castle 10 mi
- South Bedford Island 12 mi
- Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park 8.1 mi
- Race Rocks Ecological Reserve 11 mi
- Aquarius Dive Club 0.4 mi
- Saxe Point 0.9 mi
- Rockfish Divers 1.5 mi
- Ogden Point Dive Centre 1.9 mi
- East 2 West Freediving 2.2 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Sites and fish: Reef Life Survey / IMOS NRMN, CC BY 4.0; fish names, Wikidata.
Weather in Esquimalt
Now in Esquimalt
- Low / high
- 41 / 53 °F
- Rain
- 0.04 in · 39%
- Clouds
- 31%
- Humidity
- 64%
- Dew pointDew point
- 41 °F
- Visibility
- 17 mi
- UV indexUV
- 1 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 30
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (0.00 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Light drizzle | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Drizzle | Drizzle | Light drizzle | Light drizzle |
| Temperature | 46° | 44° | 43° | 42° | 51° | 53° | 46° | 44° |
| Wind (mph) | 8 SSW | 4 SSE | 2 NW | 1 WSW | 6 SW | 5 SW | 4 SSE | 4 E |
| Gusts | 15 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 13 |
| Waves | 1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.0 ft | 0.7 ft | 0.5 ft | 0.5 ft | 0.7 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.04 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 3:00 pm 53° 5 SW 0.5 ft
- 6:00 pm 46° 4 SSE 0.5 ft
- 9:00 pm 44° 4 E 0.7 ft
- 12:00 am 43° 2 WNW 0.8 ft
- 3:00 am 44° 6 N 1.0 ft
- 6:00 am 43° 4 NNW 1.2 ft
- 9:00 am 43° 7 NE 1.4 ft
- 12:00 pm 49° 10 E 1.6 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 41 / 53 °F | 8 mph SSW | 1.6 ft | 4:00 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 41 / 51 °F | 11 mph ENE | 1.7 ft | 4:27 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 41 / 50 °F | 10 mph NE | 1.0 ft | 4:43 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 40 / 51 °F | 8 mph NE | 0.5 ft | 2:18 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 39 / 52 °F | 4 mph ENE | 0.4 ft | 2:12 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 41 / 51 °F | 7 mph NE | 0.6 ft | 2:27 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 42 / 53 °F | 6 mph NNE | 0.5 ft | 2:35 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 42 / 53 °F | 6 mph NE | 0.7 ft | 2:17 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 43 / 53 °F | 5 mph NNE | 0.7 ft | 12:41 am · 1:55 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 43 / 53 °F | 6 mph ENE | 1.3 ft | 1:54 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 44 / 53 °F | 7 mph ESE | 2.0 ft | 2:05 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 45 / 56 °F | 7 mph ESE | 1.2 ft | 2:21 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 48 / 53 °F | 16 mph SE | 4.8 ft | 2:40 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 50 / 57 °F | 4 mph N | 2.8 ft | 3:02 pm |
- Thu 29 Drizzle 41° / 51° 1.7 ft
- Fri 30 Light drizzle 41° / 50° 1.0 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 40° / 51° 0.5 ft
- Sun 1 Mainly clear 39° / 52° 0.4 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 41° / 51° 0.6 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 42° / 53° 0.5 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 42° / 53° 0.7 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (54 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 2:54 pm (local time).
The sun in Esquimalt
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:44 am
- Full dark 7:10 pm
- Civil dawn 7:21 am
- Civil dusk 6:33 pm
- Solar noon 12:57 pm (28° high)
- Daylight 10 h 7 min (−3 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:15 pm
- Full dark 7:10 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,351,494 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Esquimalt
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,426 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 1:57–3:57 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:29–4:29 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:07 am–12:07 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 6:47–7:47 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 1:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 12:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 4:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 7:54 amNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Esquimalt
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Y Jetty 0.6 mi
- C Jetty 0.9 mi
- B Jetty 1.0 mi
- A Jetty 1.2 mi
- Boat ramp 0.5 mi
- Boat ramp 1.0 mi
- Boat ramp 1.0 mi
- Hidden Harbour Marine Centre 0.9 mi
- Sailor's Cove Marina 0.9 mi
- Westbay Marina 0.9 mi
- Canadian Forces Sailing Association 1.0 mi
- Victoria Marine Fuels 1.5 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: you need to go 2.8 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (0.75 mi from Esquimalt) out to sea, heading southwest.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep1.5 mi
- 33 ft deep2.8 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 1.5 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. Shallow near shore: you only reach 33 ft at 2.8 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Inside bays, estuaries and harbors the bottom changes a lot from spot to spot (channels and shoals): use this only as a rough guide.
Source: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
Fisgard Lighthouse 1.7 mi west
- Light
- Light, on and off for equal times, every 2 s; white or red depending on where you see it from · Iso WR 2s
- Light height
- 72 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 48 ft
- Built
- 1859
Other lighthouses nearby: Ogden Point Breakwater Lighthouse (1.7 mi southeast), Trial Islands Lighthouse (5.6 mi southeast).
Light details: NGA List of Lights (USA); the rest from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near EsquimaltTides nearby
- Tillicum1.1 mi
- Victoria West1.4 mi
- Burnside-Gorge1.7 mi
- James Bay1.9 mi
- Saanich Core2.2 mi
- View Royal2.4 mi
- Carey2.6 mi
- Hillside-Quadra2.6 mi
- North Park2.7 mi
- Six Mile2.7 mi
Esquimalt at a glance
- Town or city of about 17,655 people. Coordinates: 48.436° N, 123.412° W.
- It is 2.8 mi west of Victoria, the main place in British Columbia. The sun rises at the same time and sets at the same time than in Victoria.
- The nearest tide station, Gorge at Tillicum, is 1.1 mi to the northeast.
- Its coast faces southwest.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Hudson Bay Company Wharf (historical) (0.7 mi), Outer Wharf (historical) (1.4 mi), Victoria Harbour (1.5 mi), Inner Harbour (1.5 mi).
Questions about EsquimaltQuestions
What time is high tide today in Esquimalt?
Today in Esquimalt there is high tide at 4:00 pm (5.5 ft) and low tide at 12:58 am. Tide coefficient 103.
What time is sunset today in Esquimalt?
At 6:00 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:33 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Esquimalt?
At 7:55 am. First light comes at 6:46 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 12:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 1:57–3:57 am, Minor 11:07 am–12:07 pm, Major 2:29–4:29 pm, Minor 6:47–7:47 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Esquimalt?
Drizzle, from 41 °F to 53 °F, with a light breeze from the southwest (5 mph) and a 39% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Esquimalt?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 0.5 ft waves with a period of 6.3 s from the west. The water is 53.2 °F.
When is the best time to visit Esquimalt?
The best time to visit Esquimalt is from July to August: highs of 72 °F to 73 °F, about 3 rainy days a month and 8 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: Gorge at Tillicum station, with constants from TICON-4 (Hart-Davis, Dettmering and Seitz, 2025, SEANOE), licensed CC BY 4.0, via Slackwater database (changes). Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).