Cairnryan tides today
- Tide now 5.4 ft ↑ rising · high 12:59 am (13.7 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 6:40–8:10 am good day · 7/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 2.2 ft · 55 °F slight · 8.6 s from the west-northwest
- Wind · air 4 mph · 53 °F from the SSW, gusts 10 · overcast
- Sun 7:15 am–4:51 pm 9 h 36 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 5:19 pm waning gibbous · rises at 5:19 pm
- Diving tomorrow 10:30–11:30 am good day · 7/10
Today in Cairnryan there are high tides at 12:15 am (13.7 ft) and 12:35 pm (13.7 ft) and low tides at 6:23 am and 6:40 pm. Tide coefficient 88. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 12:59 am. The sun rises at 7:15 am and sets at 4:51 pm: 9 h 36 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 5:19 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:43 am to 2:43 am and from 1:14 pm to 3:14 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 2.2 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the south-southwest (4 mph). Overcast, 53 °F.
Fishing in Cairnryan today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Low tide at 6:23 am
- Sunrise at 7:15 am
- Rising pressure (+0.66 inHg in 24 h), moderate cross-shore wind (14 mph) and some swell (3.5 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 88 (average tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 6:40 am to 7:20 am, combines the 6:23 am low tide, sunrise and some swell, though with rising pressure and moderate wind. Also worth a try from 4:50 pm to 5:50 pm, with the 6:40 pm low tide, moonrise, sunset and some swell, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 6:50 pm to 7:40 pm, with the 6:40 pm low tide 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: haddock. What you can catch
Beach day in Cairnryan
Is it a beach day?
- Cloudy (90% cloud cover)
- Feels like 51 °F: chilly for the beach
- Rain (0.01 in)
- Moderate cross-shore wind (15 mph)
- Swim with care: 3.1 ft waves every 8 s; moderate rip current risk
- Water at 55 °F (very cold)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 3.1 ft
3.1 ft waves every 8 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 55 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 15 mph
Moderate cross-shore wind (15 mph).
- Tide & sand 6:23 am
Low tide at 6:23 am and 6:40 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 12:15 am and 12:35 pm.
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 Cairnryan
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wig Sands 1.6 mi · W
- Parking
- Cockle Shore Beach 3.8 mi · S
- Parking
- Marine Lake Beach 4.3 mi · S
- 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 Cairnryan
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Cairnryan
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 12:15 am 13.7 ft · coef. 88
- ▼ Low tide 6:23 am 2.2 ft
- ▲ High tide 12:35 pm 13.7 ft · coef. 88
- ▼ Low tide 6:40 pm 2.2 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 4 h 6 min to high tide at 12:59 am.
Tide coefficient 88 for the 12:15 am high tide and 88 for the 12:35 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 11.6 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 December 27 (14.5 ft) and the lowest, on July 17 (0.6 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 88, 11.9 ft range). The smallest, from October 19 to 20 (coefficient 40, 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 | 7:15 am · 4:51 pm | High tide 12:15 am · 13.7 ft | Low tide 6:23 am · 2.2 ft | High tide 12:35 pm · 13.7 ft | Low tide 6:40 pm · 2.2 ft | Coef. 88 | 92% | Major periods 12:43 am · 1:14 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:17 am · 4:49 pm | High tide 12:59 am · 13.7 ft | Low tide 7:06 am · 2.5 ft | High tide 1:18 pm · 13.8 ft | Low tide 7:27 pm · 2.2 ft | Coef. 87 | 85% | Major periods 1:46 am · 2:19 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:20 am · 4:47 pm | High tide 1:48 am · 13.4 ft | Low tide 7:52 am · 3.0 ft | High tide 2:06 pm · 13.6 ft | Low tide 8:20 pm · 2.5 ft | Coef. 84 | 76% | Major periods 2:51 am · 3:23 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:22 am · 4:45 pm | High tide 2:43 am · 12.9 ft | Low tide 8:45 am · 3.7 ft | High tide 2:59 pm · 13.3 ft | Low tide 9:20 pm · 2.8 ft | Coef. 78 | 65% | Major periods 3:54 am · 4:24 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:24 am · 4:43 pm | High tide 3:44 am · 12.2 ft | Low tide 9:47 am · 4.3 ft | High tide 3:59 pm · 12.8 ft | Low tide 10:31 pm · 3.2 ft | Coef. 70 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:53 am · 5:20 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 7:26 am · 4:41 pm | High tide 4:57 am · 11.5 ft | Low tide 11:02 am · 4.7 ft | High tide 5:10 pm · 12.3 ft | Low tide 11:52 pm · 3.3 ft | Coef. 62 | 43% | Major periods 5:46 am · 6:12 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:28 am · 4:39 pm | High tide 6:19 am · 11.2 ft | Low tide 12:24 pm · 4.8 ft | High tide 6:29 pm · 12.1 ft | — | Coef. 59 | 32% | Major periods 6:36 am · 6:59 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
Cairnryan has no station of its own, so we use the tide at Portpatrick (Environment Agency), 9.7 mi away. On the open coast the difference is usually a few minutes and inches; inside estuaries, rivers and enclosed bays it can be much larger.
Station data attribution: This uses Environment Agency tide gauge data from the real-time data API (Beta): Portpatrick (E73724), https://environment.data.gov.uk/flood-monitoring/id/stations/E73724. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/). Modified: harmonic constants fitted by TidePlanet from the 15-minute sea levels of 2025-10-29 to 2026-10-22 (356 days).
The sea at Cairnryan
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.1 ft
- Significant2.2 ft
- Highest expectedHighest4.5 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 4.5 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 4.5 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces northwest 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: 4.1 ft with a period of 8 s, from the west-southwest (moderate).
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 8:53 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Met Eireann, Commissioners of Irish Lights, via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Diving in Cairnryan today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- Slack water around high tide (12:35 pm): little current from 12:10 pm to 1:00 pm
- 2.4 ft swell at 8 s from the west-northwest: some surge on the bottom
- Moderate cross-shore wind (14 mph)
- 1.7 mph current toward the north-northwest, strong (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 12:15 am (11:50 pm–12:40 am), low tide 6:23 am (6:00–6:50 am), high tide 12:35 pm (12:10–1:00 pm) and low tide 6:40 pm (6:20–7:00 pm)
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 3.1 ft at 9 s) and wind over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 55.0 °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 5:29 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 5:19 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 11:40 am to 12:30 pm, combines slack water at high tide and the sun high, though with moderate wind and current. Also worth a look from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, with light wind, though with tidal current, current and low light. Also worth a look from 9:30 am to 10:40 am, with the sun high, though with tidal current, moderate wind and 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
- Liverpool 2.9 mi
- Perilia 4.2 mi
- Boy John R 6.0 mi
- Baron Glamis 6.7 mi
- Chindwin 7.7 mi
- William Castle 7.7 mi
- Longwy 8.5 mi
- Rowan 8.8 mi
- Craigantlet 9.2 mi
- Haileybury 10 mi
- Wreck 2.2 mi
- Wreck 8.7 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 Cairnryan
Now in Cairnryan
- Low / high
- 50 / 56 °F
- Rain
- 0.02 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 86%
- Humidity
- 88%
- Dew pointDew point
- 49 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 24
- 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: +0.17 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 | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast |
| Temperature | 50° | 52° | 53° | 54° | 56° | 56° | 54° | 53° |
| Wind (mph) | 16 SSW | 19 SSW | 16 WSW | 10 WSW | 14 WSW | 12 WSW | 5 SW | 3 SSW |
| Gusts | 28 | 34 | 28 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
| Waves | 4.1 ft | 4.1 ft | 3.7 ft | 3.2 ft | 3.1 ft | 2.9 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.2 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 |
- 9:00 pm 53° 3 SSW 2.2 ft
- 12:00 am 53° 4 SSE 2.0 ft
- 3:00 am 53° 4 SSE 1.8 ft
- 6:00 am 52° 5 SE 1.7 ft
- 9:00 am 54° 6 SE 1.7 ft
- 12:00 pm 57° 13 S 1.8 ft
- 3:00 pm 56° 16 SSE 2.2 ft
- 6:00 pm 55° 14 SSE 2.3 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 50 / 56 °F | 20 mph SW | 4.1 ft | 12:15 am · 12:35 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 52 / 57 °F | 16 mph SSE | 2.4 ft | 12:59 am · 1:18 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 53 / 56 °F | 17 mph SE | 2.7 ft | 1:48 am · 2:06 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 53 / 55 °F | 10 mph SE | 1.7 ft | 2:43 am · 2:59 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 49 / 55 °F | 9 mph NNW | 1.7 ft | 3:44 am · 3:59 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 42 / 53 °F | 7 mph NNE | 1.1 ft | 4:57 am · 5:10 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 40 / 51 °F | 3 mph NE | 0.7 ft | 6:19 am · 6:29 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 44 / 52 °F | 6 mph E | 1.0 ft | 7:39 am · 7:44 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 43 / 51 °F | 10 mph ESE | 1.1 ft | 8:43 am · 8:47 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 43 / 50 °F | 13 mph ESE | 1.1 ft | 9:34 am · 9:38 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 42 / 50 °F | 11 mph ESE | 2.8 ft | 10:14 am · 10:21 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 40 / 49 °F | 11 mph ESE | 2.3 ft | 10:49 am · 10:59 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 46 / 51 °F | 12 mph ESE | 2.7 ft | 11:21 am · 11:34 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 51 / 54 °F | 11 mph E | 2.0 ft | 11:53 am |
- Thu 29 Overcast 52° / 57° 2.4 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 53° / 56° 2.7 ft
- Sat 31 Light rain 53° / 55° 1.7 ft
- Sun 1 Fog 49° / 55° 1.7 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 42° / 53° 1.1 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 40° / 51° 0.7 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 44° / 52° 1.0 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 They agree · high confidence for the next few days. 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 (+3.6 °F; normal high: 53 °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 8:53 pm (local time).
The sun in Cairnryan
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:55 am
- Full dark 6:12 pm
- Civil dawn 6:37 am
- Civil dusk 5:29 pm
- Solar noon 12:04 pm (22° high)
- Daylight 9 h 36 min (−4 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:58 pm
- Full dark 6:12 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,520 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Cairnryan
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:43–2:43 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:14–3:14 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:33–11:33 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 4:49–5:49 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 Cairnryan
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Boat ramp 2.2 mi
- Boat ramp 2.3 mi
- Boat ramp 4.4 mi
- Boat ramp 4.4 mi
- Boat ramp 4.5 mi
- Boat ramp 9.2 mi
- The Sports Shop 4.6 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 (1.3 mi from Cairnryan) out to sea, heading northwest.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.75 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 0.75 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.
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
Lochryan Lighthouse 0.5 mi northwest
- Light
- 2 red flashes every 10 s · Fl(2) R 10s
- Range
- 12 nautical miles (14 mi)
- Light height
- 46 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 49 ft
Other lighthouses nearby: Corsewall Lighthouse (6.1 mi northwest).
Light details: NGA List of Lights (USA); the rest from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near CairnryanTides nearby
- Stranraer4.8 mi
- Portpatrick9.8 mi
- Glenluce10 mi
- Girvan20 mi
- Newton Stewart21 mi
- Port William23 mi
- Wigtown24 mi
- Creetown26 mi
- Maidens26 mi
- Donaghadee31 mi
Cairnryan at a glance
- Town or city of about 3,757 people. Coordinates: 54.971° N, 5.020° W.
- It is 56 mi west of Dumfries, the main place in Dumfries and Galloway. The sun rises 5 min later and sets 6 min later than in Dumfries.
- The nearest tide station, Portpatrick, is 9.7 mi to the southwest.
- Its coast faces northwest.
Questions about CairnryanQuestions
What time is high tide today in Cairnryan?
Today in Cairnryan there are high tides at 12:15 am (13.7 ft) and 12:35 pm (13.7 ft) and low tides at 6:23 am and 6:40 pm. Tide coefficient 88.
What time is sunset today in Cairnryan?
At 4:51 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:29 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Cairnryan?
At 7:17 am. First light comes at 5:57 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 12:43–2:43 am, Minor 10:33–11:33 am, Major 1:14–3:14 pm, Minor 4:49–5:49 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Cairnryan?
Light showers, from 50 °F to 56 °F, with a light breeze from the south-southwest (4 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Cairnryan?
Slight (Douglas 3): 2.2 ft waves with a period of 8.6 s from the west-northwest. The water is 55.0 °F.
When is the best time to visit Cairnryan?
The best time to visit Cairnryan is from June to August: highs of 62 °F to 65 °F, about 13 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: Portpatrick tide gauge (UK National Tide Gauge Network). This uses Environment Agency tide gauge data from the real-time data API (Beta), under the Open Government Licence v3.0; constants fitted by TidePlanet from a year of its readings. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).