Cardiff tides today
- Tide now 40.3 ft ↓ falling · low 2:41 am (4.5 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 2:10–4:10 pm great day · 9/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 3.4 ft · 56 °F slight · 8.4 s from the west
- Wind · air 8 mph · 56 °F from the WSW, gusts 16 · overcast
- Sun 6:59 am–4:53 pm 9 h 54 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 5:39 pm waning gibbous · rises at 5:39 pm
- Diving tomorrow 2:10–3:30 pm average day · 6/10
Today in Cardiff there are high tides at 8:04 am (41.0 ft) and 8:28 pm (40.7 ft) and low tides at 2:01 am and 2:21 pm. Tide coefficient 92. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 2:41 am. The sun rises at 6:59 am and sets at 4:53 pm: 9 h 54 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 5:39 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:35 am to 2:35 am and from 1:06 pm to 3:06 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 3.4 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the west-southwest (8 mph). Overcast, 56 °F.
Fishing in Cardiff today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Low tide at 2:21 pm
- Major period 1:06–3:06 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.40 inHg in 24 h), moderate offshore wind (14 mph) and some swell (4.6 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 92 (spring tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 1:20 pm to 3:10 pm, combines the 2:21 pm low tide, a major period and some swell, though with rising pressure and moderate wind. Also worth a try from 7:00 am to 7:50 am, with the 8:04 am high tide and sunrise, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 1:00 am to 2:40 am, with the 2:01 am low tide and a major period, though with rising pressure and moderate wind.
Species with the most records nearby: thornback ray, European flounder, whiting and common sole. October is one of the months when these are seen most: whiting and common sole. What you can catch
Beach day in Cardiff
Is it a beach day?
- Low tide at 2:21 pm: more sand
- Cloudy (98% cloud cover)
- Feels like 54 °F: chilly for the beach
- Rain (0.07 in)
- Moderate offshore wind (16 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Calm for swimming: 5.0 ft waves; moderate rip current risk
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 5.0 ft
5.0 ft waves: calm for swimming. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 56 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 16 mph
Moderate offshore wind (16 mph). Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 2:01 am
Low tide at 2:01 am and 2:21 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 8:04 am and 8:28 pm. Coefficient 92 (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 Cardiff
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Penarth Beach 3.3 mi · S
- Parking
Good water quality 2025 season, Natural Resources Wales
- The Bendricks 6.0 mi · S
- 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).
UK bathing water quality: Natural Resources Wales. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Full attribution.
Webcams near Cardiff
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Cardiff
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 2:01 am 3.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 8:04 am 41.0 ft · coef. 92
- ▼ Low tide 2:21 pm 4.2 ft
- ▲ High tide 8:28 pm 40.7 ft · coef. 90
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 h 49 min to low tide at 2:41 am.
Tide coefficient 92 for the 8:04 am high tide and 90 for the 8:28 pm high tide. Spring tides. The water rises and falls 37.7 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 September 11 (42.5 ft) and the lowest, on April 18 (1.9 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 11 (coefficient 97, 39.6 ft range). The smallest, on October 20 (coefficient 31, 11.2 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 | 6:59 am · 4:53 pm | Low tide 2:01 am · 3.4 ft | High tide 8:04 am · 41.0 ft | Low tide 2:21 pm · 4.2 ft | High tide 8:28 pm · 40.7 ft | Coef. 92 | 92% | Major periods 12:35 am · 1:06 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:01 am · 4:51 pm | Low tide 2:41 am · 4.5 ft | High tide 8:45 am · 40.1 ft | Low tide 3:01 pm · 5.3 ft | High tide 9:09 pm · 39.3 ft | Coef. 87 | 85% | Major periods 1:39 am · 2:11 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:03 am · 4:49 pm | Low tide 3:19 am · 6.0 ft | High tide 9:26 am · 38.6 ft | Low tide 3:41 pm · 6.8 ft | High tide 9:53 pm · 37.2 ft | Coef. 80 | 76% | Major periods 2:43 am · 3:15 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:04 am · 4:48 pm | Low tide 3:58 am · 7.9 ft | High tide 10:10 am · 36.6 ft | Low tide 4:23 pm · 8.6 ft | High tide 10:41 pm · 34.8 ft | Coef. 71 | 65% | Major periods 3:46 am · 4:16 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:06 am · 4:46 pm | Low tide 4:42 am · 9.8 ft | High tide 11:03 am · 34.5 ft | Low tide 5:15 pm · 10.4 ft | High tide 11:41 pm · 32.6 ft | Coef. 62 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:45 am · 5:12 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 7:08 am · 4:44 pm | Low tide 5:40 am · 11.7 ft | High tide 12:11 pm · 32.8 ft | Low tide 6:27 pm · 11.8 ft | — | Coef. 54 | 43% | Major periods 5:39 am · 6:04 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:10 am · 4:42 pm | High tide 12:58 am · 31.5 ft | Low tide 7:05 am · 12.5 ft | High tide 1:33 pm · 32.7 ft | Low tide 8:05 pm · 11.5 ft | Coef. 54 | 32% | Major periods 6:28 am · 6:52 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 Penarth station (TICON-4), 3.2 mi from Cardiff. 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 Cardiff
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.7 ft
- Significant3.4 ft
- Highest expectedHighest7.0 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 7.0 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 7.0 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces southeast 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 ease over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 5.4 ft with a period of 9 s, from the west (moderate).
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 54.4 °F by Tuesday 3.
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 8:52 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from South West Coastal Monitoring, National Network of Regional Coastal Monitoring Programmes (NNRCMP), via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Diving in Cardiff today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: poor- Slack water around low tide (2:21 pm): little current from 2:00 pm to 2:40 pm
- 4.6 ft waves: careful getting in and out
- Moderate offshore wind (14 mph): it pushes surface swimmers away from shore
- 0.3 mph current toward the northeast, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 2:01 am (1:40–2:20 am), high tide 8:04 am (7:49–8:20 am), low tide 2:21 pm (2:00–2:40 pm) and high tide 8:28 pm (8:10–8:43 pm)
- Likely visibility: poor. Swell (up to 4.9 ft at 9 s) and rain (0.31 in) over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 56.1 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 5:28 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 5:39 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, combines slack water at low tide, weak current and the sun high, though with waves and moderate wind.
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
- Princess Louise 4.3 mi
- Fleur de Lys 4.8 mi
- Casper 2 4.9 mi
- Hongisto 5.1 mi
- Mistress Quigley 6.0 mi
- Severn Transport 6.0 mi
- Wreck 4.0 mi
- Wreck 4.0 mi
- Bristol Channel Diving Services 0.9 mi
- Cardiff Scuba Limited 1.8 mi
- Cardiff BSAC 2.4 mi
- Cardiff Scuba Ltd 3.3 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 Cardiff
Now in Cardiff
- Low / high
- 53 / 58 °F
- Rain
- 0.16 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 88%
- Dew pointDew point
- 53 °F
- Visibility
- 12 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 26
- 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 (+0.02 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.09 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 | Partly cloudy | Light rain | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Overcast | Overcast |
| Temperature | 53° | 53° | 55° | 55° | 58° | 58° | 57° | 56° |
| Wind (mph) | 9 W | 11 WSW | 11 SW | 12 SW | 15 WSW | 13 WSW | 10 WSW | 8 WSW |
| Gusts | 17 | 28 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 20 | 15 |
| Waves | 5.4 ft | 5.2 ft | 5.1 ft | 4.9 ft | 4.8 ft | 4.5 ft | 3.9 ft | 3.4 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.02 in | 0.02 in | 0.01 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 9:00 pm 56° 8 WSW 3.4 ft
- 12:00 am 55° 5 SW 3.1 ft
- 3:00 am 53° 4 S 2.7 ft
- 6:00 am 51° 2 ENE 2.4 ft
- 9:00 am 53° 3 SE 2.2 ft
- 12:00 pm 56° 3 SE 2.0 ft
- 3:00 pm 58° 6 ESE 1.9 ft
- 6:00 pm 55° 7 SE 1.8 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 53 / 58 °F | 16 mph WSW | 5.4 ft | 8:04 am · 8:28 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 48 / 58 °F | 8 mph SE | 3.1 ft | 8:45 am · 9:09 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 47 / 58 °F | 9 mph ENE | 2.0 ft | 9:26 am · 9:53 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 47 / 53 °F | 6 mph ENE | 2.0 ft | 10:10 am · 10:41 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 46 / 52 °F | 6 mph NE | 1.4 ft | 11:03 am · 11:41 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 46 / 52 °F | 11 mph NE | 1.8 ft | 12:11 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 45 / 53 °F | 9 mph NE | 1.5 ft | 12:58 am · 1:33 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 48 / 55 °F | 11 mph NE | 2.4 ft | 2:21 am · 2:51 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 45 / 52 °F | 12 mph ENE | 2.3 ft | 3:30 am · 3:54 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 41 / 51 °F | 12 mph ENE | 1.4 ft | 4:25 am · 4:46 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 41 / 50 °F | 11 mph ENE | 1.2 ft | 5:12 am · 5:31 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 48 / 54 °F | 8 mph ENE | 0.7 ft | 5:55 am · 6:12 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 54 / 58 °F | 6 mph ESE | 0.5 ft | 6:34 am · 6:51 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 54 / 58 °F | 8 mph ESE | 0.3 ft | 7:10 am · 7:27 pm |
- Thu 29 Fog 48° / 58° 3.1 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 47° / 58° 2.0 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 47° / 53° 2.0 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 46° / 52° 1.4 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 46° / 52° 1.8 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 45° / 53° 1.5 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 48° / 55° 2.4 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.
- The models Partly agree · medium confidence: unsure about rain today. See the models →
- Outlook The next few weeks look normal for the time of year. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+2.5 °F; normal high: 56 °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 8:52 pm (local time).
The sun in Cardiff
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:45 am
- Full dark 6:07 pm
- Civil dawn 6:24 am
- Civil dusk 5:28 pm
- Solar noon 11:57 am (25° high)
- Daylight 9 h 54 min (−4 min)
- Evening golden hour 4:05 pm
- Full dark 6:07 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,645 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Cardiff
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:35–2:35 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:06–3:06 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:58–10:58 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 5:09–6:09 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 Cardiff
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Jetty 2.0 mi
- Jetty 2.1 mi
- Jetty 2.2 mi
- Jetty 2.5 mi
- Boat ramp 0.2 mi
- Boat ramp 1.2 mi
- Boat ramp 1.5 mi
- Cardiff Yacht Club 1.6 mi
- Cardiff Marina 2.2 mi
- Anglers Supplies 0.8 mi
- Steve's Tackle-Mart 1.5 mi
- Yacht Club Fuel Berth 2.3 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
Very shallowVery shallow and flat: 3.1 mi from shore the water is still only about 16 ft deep.
From the shoreline (2 mi from Cardiff) out to sea, heading southeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep1.8 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 3.1 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 1.8 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3.1 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther out.
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: 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
Monkstone Lighthouse 5.7 mi southeast
- Light
- A white flash every 5 s · Fl W 5s
- Range
- 12 nautical miles (14 mi)
- Light height
- 43 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 75 ft
- Built
- 1839
Light details: NGA List of Lights (USA); the rest from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near CardiffTides nearby
- Penarth2.9 mi
- Marshfield5.9 mi
- Barry7.1 mi
- Rhoose9.8 mi
- Newport11 mi
- Birnbeck Pier11 mi
- Grand Pier12 mi
- Weston-super-Mare13 mi
- Caerleon13 mi
- Cwmbran14 mi
Cardiff at a glance
- Town or city of about 372,089 people. Coordinates: 51.480° N, 3.180° W.
- The nearest tide station, Penarth, is 3.2 mi to the south.
- Its coast faces southeast.
Questions about CardiffQuestions
What time is high tide today in Cardiff?
Today in Cardiff there are high tides at 8:04 am (41.0 ft) and 8:28 pm (40.7 ft) and low tides at 2:01 am and 2:21 pm. Tide coefficient 92.
What time is sunset today in Cardiff?
At 4:53 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:28 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Cardiff?
At 7:01 am. First light comes at 5:47 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 12:35–2:35 am, Minor 9:58–10:58 am, Major 1:06–3:06 pm, Minor 5:09–6:09 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Cardiff?
Light showers, from 53 °F to 58 °F, with a gentle breeze from the west-southwest (8 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Cardiff?
Slight (Douglas 3): 3.4 ft waves with a period of 8.4 s from the west. The water is 56.1 °F.
When is the best time to visit Cardiff?
The best time to visit Cardiff is from June to August: highs of 68 °F to 71 °F, about 10 rainy days a month and 6 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: Penarth 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).