Balbriggan tides today
- Tide now 15.2 ft ↑ rising · high 12:43 am (15.8 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 6:00–7:00 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 1.1 ft · 54 °F smooth · 4.0 s from the south-southeast
- Wind · air 3 mph · 52 °F from the SSW, gusts 5 · overcast
- Sun 7:16 am–5:00 pm 9 h 43 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 5:36 pm waning gibbous · rises at 5:36 pm
- Diving tomorrow 11:30 am–12:30 pm great day · 9/10
Today in Balbriggan there is high tide at 12:22 pm (15.8 ft) and low tides at 5:55 am and 6:17 pm. Tide coefficient 89. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 12:43 am. The sun rises at 7:16 am and sets at 5:00 pm: 9 h 43 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 5:36 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:48 am to 2:48 am and from 1:19 pm to 3:19 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is smooth, with 1.1 ft waves. There's a light air from the south-southwest (3 mph). Overcast, 52 °F.
Fishing in Balbriggan today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Low tide at 6:17 pm
- Minor period 5:06–6:06 pm (moonrise)
- Sunset at 5:00 pm, golden hour from 4:08 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.34 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (6 mph) and calm sea (1.2 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 89 (average tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 5:10 pm to 6:10 pm, combines the 6:17 pm low tide, moonrise and sunset, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 11:20 am to 1:20 pm, with the 12:22 pm high tide, moonset, a major period and some swell, though with rising pressure.
Species with the most records nearby: European plaice, whiting, small-spotted catshark and haddock. October is one of the months when these are seen most: Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic horse mackerel. What you can catch
Beach day in Balbriggan
Is it a beach day?
- Calm for swimming: 2.4 ft waves
- Cloudy (98% cloud cover)
- Feels like 55 °F: chilly for the beach
- Moderate offshore wind (14 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Water at 54 °F (very cold)
- High tide at 12:22 pm
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 2.4 ft
2.4 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 54 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 14 mph
Moderate offshore wind (14 mph). Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 5:55 am
Low tide at 5:55 am and 6:17 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 12:22 pm.
The EPA Ireland (beaches.ie) issues its bathing notices in season, from 1 June to 15 September; none are in force now. We don't have data on jellyfish or sargassum: ask the lifeguard or check the flags. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Balbriggan
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Gormanston Beach 2.5 mi · NW
- North Beach 3.5 mi · SE
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Parking
- South Beach 4.1 mi · SE
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Parking
Excellent water quality 2025 season, EEA
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). Bathing water quality: European Environment Agency (EEA), with data from the authorities of Ireland.
Webcams near Balbriggan
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Balbriggan
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 5:55 am 2.3 ft
- ▲ High tide 12:22 pm 15.8 ft · coef. 89
- ▼ Low tide 6:17 pm 2.4 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 55 min to high tide at 12:43 am.
Tide coefficient 89 for the 12:22 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 13.5 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 August 15 (16.8 ft) and the lowest, on August 14 (0.9 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above chart datum: the lowest astronomical tide (LAT), the zero of nautical charts in Europe. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. chart datum (LAT)
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 9 to 12 (coefficient 91, 14.6 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 38, 5.8 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:16 am · 5:00 pm | Low tide 5:55 am · 2.3 ft | High tide 12:22 pm · 15.8 ft | Low tide 6:17 pm · 2.4 ft | — | Coef. 89 | 92% | Major periods 12:48 am · 1:19 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:18 am · 4:58 pm | High tide 12:43 am · 15.8 ft | Low tide 6:37 am · 2.8 ft | High tide 1:08 pm · 15.6 ft | Low tide 7:04 pm · 2.7 ft | Coef. 87 | 85% | Major periods 1:51 am · 2:23 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:20 am · 4:56 pm | High tide 1:35 am · 15.2 ft | Low tide 7:24 am · 3.5 ft | High tide 1:59 pm · 15.3 ft | Low tide 7:58 pm · 3.1 ft | Coef. 81 | 76% | Major periods 2:56 am · 3:28 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:22 am · 4:54 pm | High tide 2:34 am · 14.5 ft | Low tide 8:18 am · 4.4 ft | High tide 2:57 pm · 14.8 ft | Low tide 8:59 pm · 3.7 ft | Coef. 72 | 65% | Major periods 3:59 am · 4:29 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:24 am · 4:52 pm | High tide 3:42 am · 13.8 ft | Low tide 9:21 am · 5.3 ft | High tide 4:05 pm · 14.4 ft | Low tide 10:12 pm · 4.2 ft | Coef. 63 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:57 am · 5:25 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 7:26 am · 4:50 pm | High tide 4:59 am · 13.3 ft | Low tide 10:36 am · 5.9 ft | High tide 5:21 pm · 14.1 ft | Low tide 11:33 pm · 4.4 ft | Coef. 56 | 43% | Major periods 5:51 am · 6:16 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:28 am · 4:48 pm | High tide 6:21 am · 13.2 ft | Low tide 12:01 pm · 6.0 ft | High tide 6:39 pm · 14.3 ft | — | Coef. 57 | 32% | Major periods 6:41 am · 7:04 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above chart datum (LAT). 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 Skerries Harbour station (TICON-4), 3.5 mi from Balbriggan. 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 Balbriggan
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.6 ft
- Significant1.1 ft
- Highest expectedHighest2.4 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 2.4 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 2.4 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces northeast and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Friday 30: 3.9 ft with a period of 4 s, from the south-southeast (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water about normal for late October.
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 11:48 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Marine Institute, via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Surf in Balbriggan today
Surf today
Flat- Barely any waves (0.9 ft sets): flat
- Light offshore wind (10 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 12:22 pm)
It’s flat today: almost no waves reach this coast.
- Light: First light 6:40 am · sunrise 7:16 am · sunset 5:00 pm · last light 5:36 pm
- Tide: low 5:55 am (2.3 ft), high 12:22 pm (15.8 ft) and low 6:17 pm (2.4 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 53.8 °F: a 5/4 fullsuit with booties (and a hood if it’s windy).
- Energy: 9 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, has light offshore wind, though with barely any waves.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Balbriggan today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (12:22 pm): little current from 11:50 am to 12:50 pm
- 1.2 ft swell at 4 s from the south-southeast: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (12 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the north, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 11:57 pm (11:30 pm–12:20 am), low tide 5:55 am (5:40–6:10 am), high tide 12:22 pm (11:50 am–12:50 pm) and low tide 6:17 pm (6:00–6:40 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 53.8 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 5:36 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 5:36 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 11:30 am to 1:20 pm, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high.
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
- Eilean Glas 7.1 mi
- Atika 9.7 mi
- Nellie Esplin 10 mi
- Rose Mystique 10 mi
- Polwell 11 mi
- Tayleur 11 mi
- Wreck 3.4 mi
- Wreck 5.2 mi
- Wreck 5.3 mi
- Wreck 6.0 mi
- Wreck 6.2 mi
- Portmarnock Sub-Aqua Club 12 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
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Wrecks: EMODnet Human Activities (AND-International), from UK Hydrographic Office data, CC BY 4.0. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weather in Balbriggan
Now in Balbriggan
- Low / high
- 49 / 58 °F
- Rain
- 0.01 in · 55%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 91%
- Dew pointDew point
- 49 °F
- Visibility
- 13 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 23
- Saharan dust
- No
- Pollen
- None
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 (+0.01 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.14 inHg. 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 | Overcast | Overcast | Light rain | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Overcast |
| Temperature | 49° | 53° | 54° | 54° | 57° | 58° | 55° | 52° |
| Wind (mph) | 13 SW | 16 SW | 12 SW | 11 WSW | 12 WSW | 8 SW | 6 SW | 3 SSW |
| Gusts | 25 | 30 | 24 | 22 | 26 | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| Waves | 2.1 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.7 ft | 2.2 ft | 1.8 ft | 1.4 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.0 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 12:00 am 52° 3 SSW 1.1 ft
- 3:00 am 51° 3 SSW 1.2 ft
- 6:00 am 50° 3 S 1.4 ft
- 9:00 am 53° 6 S 1.6 ft
- 12:00 pm 58° 11 SSE 2.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 57° 11 SSE 3.3 ft
- 6:00 pm 55° 9 SSE 3.3 ft
- 9:00 pm 54° 10 SSE 3.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 49 / 58 °F | 17 mph SW | 2.7 ft | 12:22 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 49 / 58 °F | 12 mph S | 3.5 ft | 12:43 am · 1:08 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 54 / 57 °F | 14 mph SSE | 3.9 ft | 1:35 am · 1:59 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 49 / 58 °F | 4 mph SW | 1.9 ft | 2:34 am · 2:57 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 46 / 54 °F | 9 mph NNW | 2.0 ft | 3:42 am · 4:05 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 46 / 54 °F | 8 mph ENE | 2.2 ft | 4:59 am · 5:21 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 48 / 54 °F | 7 mph E | 1.7 ft | 6:21 am · 6:39 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 50 / 53 °F | 9 mph ESE | 2.6 ft | 7:34 am · 7:48 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 48 / 53 °F | 10 mph ESE | 3.5 ft | 8:32 am · 8:45 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 48 / 52 °F | 12 mph ESE | 3.0 ft | 9:20 am · 9:33 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 45 / 50 °F | 8 mph ESE | 2.8 ft | 9:59 am · 10:13 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 46 / 53 °F | 11 mph E | 2.3 ft | 10:34 am · 10:49 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 53 / 57 °F | 8 mph SE | 2.3 ft | 11:06 am · 11:24 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 53 / 55 °F | 6 mph ENE | 1.8 ft | 11:38 am · 11:58 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 49° / 58° 3.5 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 54° / 57° 3.9 ft
- Sat 31 Fog 49° / 58° 1.9 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 46° / 54° 2.0 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 46° / 54° 2.2 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 48° / 54° 1.7 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 50° / 53° 2.6 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, warmer than normal for late October (+3.5 °F; normal high: 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 11:48 pm (local time).
The sun in Balbriggan
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:59 am
- Full dark 6:17 pm
- Civil dawn 6:40 am
- Civil dusk 5:36 pm
- Solar noon 12:09 pm (23° high)
- Daylight 9 h 43 min (−4 min)
- Evening golden hour 4:08 pm
- Full dark 6:17 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,441 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Balbriggan
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:48–2:48 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:19–3:19 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:27–11:27 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 5:06–6:06 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 · 8:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 11:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 2:54 pmNov 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 Balbriggan
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Skerries Pier 3.5 mi
- Loughshinny Harbour 6.0 mi
- Rush Harbour 7.3 mi
- Jetty 8.1 mi
- Boat ramp 0.2 mi
- Boat ramp 3.5 mi
- Boat ramp 3.6 mi
- Boat ramp 7.2 mi
- Boat ramp 7.3 mi
- Boat ramp 8.9 mi
- Rush Sailing Club 7.2 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 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (0.25 mi from Balbriggan) out to sea, heading northeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.65 mi
- 33 ft deep2 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 0.65 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 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Source: EMODnet Bathymetry DTM 2024 (CC BY 4.0), cells of about 380 ft; depth at the lowest astronomical tide. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Nearest lighthouse
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Balbriggan Lighthouse 0.4 mi northeast
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near BalbrigganTides nearby
- Balrothery1.4 mi
- Gormanston3.2 mi
- Skerries3.7 mi
- Mosney4.7 mi
- Laytown5.6 mi
- Lusk5.7 mi
- Loughshinny5.8 mi
- An Ros6.6 mi
- Bettystown6.9 mi
- Portraine8.3 mi
Balbriggan at a glance
- Town or city of about 21,722 people. Coordinates: 53.608° N, 6.183° W.
- It is 3.7 mi northwest of Skerries, the main place in Fingal. The sun rises at the same time and sets at the same time than in Skerries.
- The nearest tide station, Skerries Harbour, is 3.5 mi to the southeast.
- Its coast faces northeast.
Questions about BalbrigganQuestions
What time is high tide today in Balbriggan?
Today in Balbriggan there is high tide at 12:22 pm (15.8 ft) and low tides at 5:55 am and 6:17 pm. Tide coefficient 89.
What time is sunset today in Balbriggan?
At 5:00 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:36 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Balbriggan?
At 7:18 am. First light comes at 6:00 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 92% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 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 12:48–2:48 am, Minor 10:27–11:27 am, Major 1:19–3:19 pm, Minor 5:06–6:06 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Balbriggan?
Light rain, from 49 °F to 58 °F, with a light air from the south-southwest (3 mph) and a 55% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Balbriggan?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 1.1 ft waves with a period of 4.0 s from the south-southeast. The water is 54.0 °F.
When is the best time to visit Balbriggan?
The best time to visit Balbriggan is from June to August: highs of 65 °F to 67 °F, about 10 rainy days a month and 5 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: Skerries Harbour 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).