Big Beach today
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Tide now -4.7 ft ↑ rising · high 7:37 am (5.6 ft)
- Best time to fish 6:50–7:30 am fair day · 3/10
- Waves · water 9.1 ft · 54 °F rough · 8.4 s from the west-southwest
- Wind · air 15 mph · 55 °F from the S, gusts 24 · overcast
- Surf today 3.8–5.9 ft Good day · 6/10 · 7:00–11:00 am
- Sun 7:33 am–4:53 pm 9 h 19 min of daylight
- Moon 85% · 6:00 pm waning gibbous · rises at 6:00 pm
Today in Big Beach there are high tides at 7:37 am (5.6 ft) and 8:01 pm (5.0 ft) and low tides at 1:34 am and 1:59 pm. Tide coefficient 94. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 7:37 am. The sun rises at 7:33 am and sets at 4:53 pm: 9 h 19 min of daylight. The moon is 85% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 6:00 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:56 am to 3:56 am and from 2:29 pm to 4:29 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is rough, with 9.1 ft waves. There's a moderate breeze from the south (15 mph). Overcast, 55 °F.
Beach day in Big Beach
Is it a beach day?
- Low tide at 1:59 pm: more sand
- Cloudy (97% cloud cover)
- Feels like 47 °F: chilly for the beach
- Fresh offshore wind (21 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Swim with care: 8.2 ft waves every 8 s; moderate rip current risk
- Water at 54 °F (very cold)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 8.2 ft
8.2 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 54 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 21 mph
Fresh offshore wind (21 mph): blowing sand. Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 1:59 pm
Low tide at 1:34 am and 1:59 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 7:37 am and 8:01 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
About Big BeachThe beach
3.1 mi from Isle of Barra. Tides, weather and sun in Isle of Barra →
- Parking
Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. See on OpenStreetMap · Fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches near Big Beach
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Tràigh Eais 1.0 mi · NW
- Parking
- Tràigh Cille Bharra 1.0 mi · NE
- Tràigh Sgùrabhal 1.8 mi · N
- Tràigh na Rèill 2.4 mi · NE
- Tràigh Bhàn 3.2 mi · NE
- Tangasdale Beach 4.8 mi · SW
- Parking
- Coilleag a' Phrionnsa 6.0 mi · NE
- 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 Big Beach
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Fishing in Big Beach today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- High tide at 7:37 am, coefficient 94
- Sunrise at 7:33 am
- Rising pressure (+0.34 inHg in 24 h), moderate offshore wind (17 mph) and rough sea: 8.3 ft waves
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 94 (spring tides)
- A major period lines up with sunset
Bad weather during the best window: strong wind or big waves. If you go out, be very careful and stay off rocks and jetties.
Your day at a glance
The best window, 6:50 am to 7:30 am, combines the 7:37 am high tide and sunrise, though with rising pressure, moderate wind and rough seas. Also worth a try from 3:50 pm to 4:30 pm, with a major period and sunset, though with rising pressure and fresh wind.
Species with the most records nearby: European hake, whiting, haddock and small-spotted catshark. October is one of the months when these are seen most: European plaice. What you can catch
Tides in Big Beach
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 1:34 am -5.5 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 7:37 am 5.6 ft · coef. 94
- ▼ Low tide 1:59 pm -5.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 8:01 pm 5.0 ft · coef. 89
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 4 h 57 min to high tide at 7:37 am.
Tide coefficient 94 for the 7:37 am high tide and 89 for the 8:01 pm high tide. Spring tides. The water rises and falls 11.1 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 14 (6.6 ft) and the lowest, on March 21 (-6.5 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
Heights above mean sea level. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. mean sea level
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 26 to 28 (coefficient 102, 12.1 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 26, 3.3 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 7:33 am · 4:53 pm | Low tide 1:34 am · -5.5 ft | High tide 7:37 am · 5.6 ft | Low tide 1:59 pm · -5.4 ft | High tide 8:01 pm · 5.0 ft | Coef. 94 | 85% | Major periods 1:56 am · 2:29 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:36 am · 4:50 pm | Low tide 2:18 am · -4.9 ft | High tide 8:24 am · 5.0 ft | Low tide 2:48 pm · -4.7 ft | High tide 8:52 pm · 4.1 ft | Coef. 83 | 76% | Major periods 3:01 am · 3:33 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:38 am · 4:48 pm | Low tide 3:07 am · -4.2 ft | High tide 9:20 am · 4.3 ft | Low tide 3:46 pm · -3.9 ft | High tide 9:53 pm · 3.2 ft | Coef. 68 | 65% | Major periods 4:04 am · 4:34 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:40 am · 4:46 pm | Low tide 4:06 am · -3.4 ft | High tide 10:30 am · 3.6 ft | Low tide 4:58 pm · -3.1 ft | High tide 11:12 pm · 2.4 ft | Coef. 55 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:03 am · 5:30 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 7:42 am · 4:43 pm | Low tide 5:20 am · -2.9 ft | High tide 11:57 am · 3.2 ft | Low tide 6:26 pm · -2.8 ft | — | Coef. 47 | 43% | Major periods 5:56 am · 6:22 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:45 am · 4:41 pm | High tide 12:42 am · 2.2 ft | Low tide 6:48 am · -2.8 ft | High tide 1:23 pm · 3.3 ft | Low tide 7:53 pm · -3.1 ft | Coef. 49 | 32% | Major periods 6:46 am · 7:09 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 7:47 am · 4:39 pm | High tide 2:02 am · 2.5 ft | Low tide 8:09 am · -3.2 ft | High tide 2:33 pm · 3.8 ft | Low tide 8:58 pm · -3.6 ft | Coef. 57 | 23% | Major periods 7:32 am · 7:54 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above mean sea level. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Big Beach has no tide station nearby: its tide is calculated with the global FES2022 model, from the nearest model cells offshore (the first one 1.4 mi away). It may differ from the real tide by a few minutes and inches, and more with wind or storms. Heights are above mean sea level, not chart datum, so low tides are negative. Not for navigation.
Model attribution: FES2022 Tide was produced by LEGOS, NOVELTIS and CLS, funded by CNES, and distributed by AVISO (https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2024.004), AVISO licence (https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr/fileadmin/documents/data/License_Aviso.pdf). Modified by TidePlanet: constants interpolated from the nearest model cells offshore; heights above mean sea level.
The sea at Big Beach
Sea stateSea state: rough
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common4.5 ft
- Significant9.1 ft
- Highest expectedHighest18 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 18 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 18 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
The model doesn't separate offshore wind here: it's the same as on the coast.
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 stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Friday 30: 10 ft with a period of 9 s, from the southwest (rough).
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 2:40 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory (CEFAS), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Surf in Big Beach today
Surf today
Good- 3.8–5.9 ft surf at the shore, a good size with some punch
- 5.4 ft swell at 8 s from the west-southwest, a bit short
- Fresh offshore wind (19 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- First or last light of the day
- Falling tide (low tide at 1:59 pm)
- Light: First light 6:53 am · sunrise 7:33 am · sunset 4:53 pm · last light 5:33 pm
- Tide: low 1:34 am (-5.5 ft), high 7:37 am (5.6 ft), low 1:59 pm (-5.4 ft) and high 8:01 pm (5.1 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 54.0 °F: a 5/4 fullsuit with booties (and a hood if it’s windy).
- Energy: 425 kJ · Medium power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:00 am to 11:00 am, has a good size and light offshore wind.
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 Big Beach today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: poor- Slack water around high tide (7:37 am): little current from 7:20 am to 8:00 am
- 5.4 ft swell at 8 s from the west-southwest: strong surge on the bottom
- Fresh offshore wind (19 mph): it pushes surface swimmers away from shore
- 0.5 mph current toward the northwest, weak (model)
- Daylight
Not a day for shore diving: swell, wind, current or storms during the best window. If you go, go with a dive shop and only if they give the OK.
- Slack water today: low tide 1:34 am (1:10–1:50 am), high tide 7:37 am (7:20–8:00 am), low tide 1:59 pm (1:40–2:20 pm) and high tide 8:01 pm (7:40–8:30 pm)
- Likely visibility: poor. Swell (up to 15 ft at 10 s) and wind over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 54.0 °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 5:33 pm. Waning gibbous (85%), rising at 6:00 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 6:50 am to 8:30 am, combines slack water at high tide and weak current, though with a big swell and fresh wind. Also worth a look from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, with the sun high, though with tidal current, a big swell, fresh 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
- Seniority 4.5 mi
- Cyelse 6.3 mi
- Politician (stern Section) 8.1 mi
- Rfa Birchol 9.3 mi
- Baron Ardrossan 10 mi
- Wreck 5.7 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 Big Beach
Now in Big Beach
- Low / high
- 55 / 56 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 1%
- Clouds
- 95%
- Humidity
- 90%
- Dew pointDew point
- 52 °F
- Visibility
- 13 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 29
- 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: +0.24 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 | 55° | 55° | 55° | 55° | 55° | 55° | 55° | 56° |
| Wind (mph) | 13 SSW | 15 S | 17 S | 20 S | 20 S | 20 S | 21 SSE | 23 SSE |
| Gusts | 21 | 24 | 26 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 38 |
| Waves | 9.6 ft | 9.0 ft | 8.4 ft | 8.2 ft | 8.0 ft | 8.0 ft | 8.5 ft | 8.7 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 |
- 3:00 am 55° 15 S 9.0 ft
- 6:00 am 55° 17 S 8.4 ft
- 9:00 am 55° 20 S 8.2 ft
- 12:00 pm 55° 20 S 8.0 ft
- 3:00 pm 55° 20 S 8.0 ft
- 6:00 pm 55° 21 SSE 8.5 ft
- 9:00 pm 56° 23 SSE 8.7 ft
- 12:00 am 55° 27 SSE 9.0 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 55 / 56 °F | 25 mph S | 9.6 ft | 7:37 am · 8:01 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 53 / 56 °F | 30 mph S | 10 ft | 8:24 am · 8:52 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 50 / 55 °F | 11 mph NW | 7.9 ft | 9:20 am · 9:53 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 49 / 52 °F | 8 mph NW | 6.4 ft | 10:30 am · 11:12 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 49 / 54 °F | 9 mph ESE | 5.3 ft | 11:57 am | |
| Tue 3 | 51 / 52 °F | 15 mph S | 5.0 ft | 12:42 am · 1:23 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 51 / 53 °F | 15 mph SSW | 5.9 ft | 2:02 am · 2:33 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 51 / 53 °F | 18 mph S | 5.2 ft | 3:04 am · 3:28 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 50 / 52 °F | 19 mph SSE | 4.7 ft | 3:52 am · 4:12 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 49 / 51 °F | 17 mph SE | 3.1 ft | 4:33 am · 4:51 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 48 / 50 °F | 14 mph ESE | 2.4 ft | 5:10 am · 5:27 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 49 / 51 °F | 13 mph E | 2.4 ft | 5:44 am · 6:00 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 50 / 52 °F | 15 mph E | 2.8 ft | 6:16 am · 6:32 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 52 / 54 °F | 20 mph SE | 2.8 ft | 6:48 am · 7:04 pm |
- Fri 30 Light rain 53° / 56° 10 ft
- Sat 31 Light rain 50° / 55° 7.9 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 49° / 52° 6.4 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 49° / 54° 5.3 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 51° / 52° 5.0 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 51° / 53° 5.9 ft
- Thu 5 Light drizzle 51° / 53° 5.2 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 tomorrow. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: normal temperatures, normal rain and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+3.3 °F; normal high: 52 °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 2:40 am (local time).
The sun in Big Beach
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:08 am
- Full dark 6:18 pm
- Civil dawn 6:53 am
- Civil dusk 5:33 pm
- Solar noon 12:13 pm (19° high)
- Daylight 9 h 19 min (−5 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:54 pm
- Full dark 6:18 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,335,051 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Big Beach
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,641 mi away and looks 32′ 45″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 1:56–3:56 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:29–4:29 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 12:27–1:27 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 5:30–6:30 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 3 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 amNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 11:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 2:54 pmNov 24 in 26 days
Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.
Where to fish in Big Beach
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Cidhe Eòlaigearraidh 1.4 mi
- Boat ramp 1.5 mi
- Boat ramp 1.8 mi
- Boat ramp 3.3 mi
- Boat ramp 5.2 mi
- Boat ramp 5.2 mi
- Boat ramp 5.3 mi
- Boat ramp 6.1 mi
- Boat ramp 6.5 mi
- Boat ramp 6.7 mi
- Boat ramp 6.8 mi
- Castlebay Marina 5.3 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.
Tides near Big BeachTides nearby
- Àird Mhithinis1.3 mi
- Eoligarry1.4 mi
- Bayherivagh1.7 mi
- Bogach2.0 mi
- Cuidhir2.4 mi
- Balnabodach2.5 mi
- Grithean2.5 mi
- Isle of Barra3.1 mi
- Isle of South Uist16 mi
- Isle of Benbecula30 mi
Big Beach at a glance
- Beach. Coordinates: 57.023° N, 7.434° W.
- It is 91 mi southwest of Stornoway, the main place in Eilean Siar. The sun rises at the same time and sets 8 min later than in Stornoway.
- 3.1 mi from Isle of Barra.
- Its coast faces northwest.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Isle of Barra Beach (4.7 mi).
Questions about Big BeachQuestions
Where is Big Beach?
3.1 mi from Isle of Barra, in Eilean Siar (United Kingdom). The shore faces northwest.
What amenities does Big Beach have?
According to OpenStreetMap: parking. Some may be missing or out of date, so ask at the beach.
What time is high tide today in Big Beach?
Today in Big Beach there are high tides at 7:37 am (5.6 ft) and 8:01 pm (5.0 ft) and low tides at 1:34 am and 1:59 pm. Tide coefficient 94.
What time is sunset today in Big Beach?
At 4:53 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:33 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Big Beach?
At 7:36 am. First light comes at 6:10 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 85% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 7:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From November 9 to 11.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 1:56–3:56 am, Minor 12:27–1:27 pm, Major 2:29–4:29 pm, Minor 5:30–6:30 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Big Beach?
Overcast, from 55 °F to 56 °F, with a moderate breeze from the south (15 mph) and a 1% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Big Beach?
Rough (Douglas 5): 9.1 ft waves with a period of 8.4 s from the west-southwest. The water is 54.0 °F.
When is the best time to visit Big Beach?
The best time to visit Big Beach is from June to August: highs of 58 °F to 61 °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: global FES2022 model (AVISO/CNES), licensed AVISO; constants for this place computed by TidePlanet from the nearest model cells offshore. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).