Colchester tides today
- Tide now 5.3 ft ↑ rising · high 1:15 am (16.3 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 1:50–2:40 pm average day · 6/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 0.4 ft · 54 °F smooth · 2.2 s from the southwest
- Wind · air 5 mph · 52 °F from the WSW, gusts 10 · overcast
- Sun 6:44 am–4:36 pm 9 h 52 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 5:19 pm waning gibbous · rises at 5:19 pm
- Diving tomorrow 1:00–2:10 pm great day · 10/10
Today in Colchester there are high tides at 12:36 am (16.4 ft) and 12:53 pm (16.8 ft) and low tides at 6:44 am and 7:09 pm. Tide coefficient 86. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 1:15 am. The sun rises at 6:44 am and sets at 4:36 pm: 9 h 52 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 5:19 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:18 am to 2:18 am and from 12:49 pm to 2:49 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is smooth, with 0.4 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the west-southwest (5 mph). Overcast, 52 °F.
Fishing in Colchester today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- High tide at 12:53 pm, coefficient 86
- Major period 12:49–2:49 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.44 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (9 mph) and calm sea (0.9 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 86 (average tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 12:50 pm to 1:50 pm, combines the 12:53 pm high tide and a major period, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 6:10 am to 7:30 am, with the 6:44 am low tide and sunrise, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 12:20 am to 1:40 am, with the 12:36 am high tide and a major period, though with rising pressure.
Species with the most records nearby: thornback ray, common sole, European flounder and whiting. October is one of the months when these are seen most: thornback ray and whiting. What you can catch
Beach day in Colchester
Is it a beach day?
- Calm for swimming: 0.9 ft waves
- Cloudy (87% cloud cover)
- Feels like 55 °F: chilly for the beach
- Light offshore wind (9 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Water at 54 °F (very cold)
- High tide at 12:53 pm
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 0.9 ft
0.9 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 9 mph
Offshore breeze (9 mph). Watch floats and inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 6:44 am
Low tide at 6:44 am and 7:09 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 12:36 am and 12:53 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 Colchester
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Colchester.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Colchester
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Colchester
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 12:36 am 16.4 ft · coef. 86
- ▼ Low tide 6:44 am 2.9 ft
- ▲ High tide 12:53 pm 16.8 ft · coef. 86
- ▼ Low tide 7:09 pm 2.4 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 4 h 21 min to high tide at 1:15 am.
Tide coefficient 86 for the 12:36 am high tide and 86 for the 12:53 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 14.4 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 12 (17.2 ft) and the lowest, on March 21 (1.1 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 10 to 11 (coefficient 88, 15.1 ft range). The smallest, on October 20 (coefficient 43, 7.3 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 | 6:44 am · 4:36 pm | High tide 12:36 am · 16.4 ft | Low tide 6:44 am · 2.9 ft | High tide 12:53 pm · 16.8 ft | Low tide 7:09 pm · 2.4 ft | Coef. 86 | 92% | Major periods 12:18 am · 12:49 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 6:45 am · 4:34 pm | High tide 1:15 am · 16.3 ft | Low tide 7:26 am · 2.7 ft | High tide 1:35 pm · 16.6 ft | Low tide 7:52 pm · 2.8 ft | Coef. 85 | 85% | Major periods 1:21 am · 1:54 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 6:47 am · 4:32 pm | High tide 1:56 am · 16.1 ft | Low tide 8:09 am · 2.7 ft | High tide 2:20 pm · 16.2 ft | Low tide 8:37 pm · 3.4 ft | Coef. 83 | 76% | Major periods 2:26 am · 2:58 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 6:49 am · 4:30 pm | High tide 2:41 am · 15.6 ft | Low tide 8:56 am · 2.9 ft | High tide 3:10 pm · 15.6 ft | Low tide 9:28 pm · 4.2 ft | Coef. 78 | 65% | Major periods 3:29 am · 3:59 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:51 am · 4:28 pm | High tide 3:32 am · 15.0 ft | Low tide 9:51 am · 3.3 ft | High tide 4:10 pm · 14.8 ft | Low tide 10:30 pm · 5.0 ft | Coef. 71 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:28 am · 4:56 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:53 am · 4:27 pm | High tide 4:34 am · 14.3 ft | Low tide 11:03 am · 3.7 ft | High tide 5:22 pm · 14.1 ft | Low tide 11:50 pm · 5.5 ft | Coef. 64 | 43% | Major periods 5:22 am · 5:47 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:54 am · 4:25 pm | High tide 5:50 am · 13.8 ft | Low tide 12:32 pm · 3.7 ft | High tide 6:44 pm · 13.9 ft | — | Coef. 59 | 32% | Major periods 6:11 am · 6:35 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
Colchester has no station of its own, so we use the tide at Clacton Pier (Environment Agency), 13 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 flood and river level data from the real-time data API (Beta): Clacton Pier (E24861), https://environment.data.gov.uk/flood-monitoring/id/stations/E24861. 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 measured tidal levels of 2025-10-29 to 2026-10-22 (356 days).
The sea at Colchester
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.2 ft
- Significant0.4 ft
- Highest expectedHighest0.9 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 0.9 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 0.9 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Offshore wind. The coast faces east and the wind blows from land out to sea: calm shore and clean waves, but watch the drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Monday 2: 2.2 ft with a period of 4 s, from the northeast (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 colder than normal for late October (−1.5 °F).
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 8:54 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Environment Agency Geomatics (EA Geomatics), 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 Colchester today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (12:53 pm): little current from 12:38 pm to 1:08 pm
- 0.3 ft swell at 3 s from the south: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (9 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 12:36 am (12:21–12:51 am), low tide 6:44 am (6:20–7:00 am), high tide 12:53 pm (12:38–1:08 pm) and low tide 7:09 pm (6:50–7:30 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 54.1 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: good, calm sea and light wind.
- Night dive: dark from 5:11 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 5:19 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 12:20 pm to 1:20 pm, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also good from 6:40 am to 7:20 am, with slack water at low tide, little swell, light wind and weak 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
- Alberta 7.0 mi
- Lowlands 7.3 mi
- Molliette 9.0 mi
- Lca 551 9.3 mi
- British Oak 12 mi
- Wreck 7.5 mi
- Wreck 7.8 mi
- Wreck 8.0 mi
- Wreck 11 mi
- Wreck 12 mi
- Wreck 12 mi
- Essex School of Diving Ltd. 1.5 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 Colchester
Now in Colchester
- Low / high
- 45 / 59 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 2%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 90%
- Dew pointDew point
- 49 °F
- Visibility
- 14 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 38
- 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: +0.12 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 | Clear | Mainly clear | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Overcast |
| Temperature | 47° | 45° | 45° | 50° | 56° | 59° | 56° | 52° |
| Wind (mph) | 7 WSW | 6 WSW | 7 SW | 8 SW | 8 SW | 9 WSW | 5 WSW | 5 WSW |
| Gusts | 14 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 11 | 10 |
| Waves | 0.7 ft | 0.7 ft | 0.7 ft | 0.9 ft | 0.9 ft | 0.9 ft | 0.6 ft | 0.4 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 52° 5 WSW 0.4 ft
- 12:00 am 50° 3 WSW 0.3 ft
- 3:00 am 48° 2 WSW 0.2 ft
- 6:00 am 48° 2 W 0.1 ft
- 9:00 am 50° 0 W 0.1 ft
- 12:00 pm 58° 2 S 0.1 ft
- 3:00 pm 58° 4 SSE 0.1 ft
- 6:00 pm 52° 3 ESE 0.1 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 45 / 59 °F | 9 mph WSW | 0.9 ft | 12:36 am · 12:53 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 47 / 59 °F | 4 mph S | 0.3 ft | 1:15 am · 1:35 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 49 / 58 °F | 8 mph E | 1.2 ft | 1:56 am · 2:20 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 50 / 57 °F | 7 mph ENE | 1.4 ft | 2:41 am · 3:10 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 49 / 55 °F | 7 mph N | 0.9 ft | 3:32 am · 4:10 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 48 / 54 °F | 13 mph N | 2.2 ft | 4:34 am · 5:22 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 48 / 54 °F | 12 mph N | 2.0 ft | 5:50 am · 6:44 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 45 / 55 °F | 11 mph NE | 2.1 ft | 7:10 am · 8:00 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 42 / 54 °F | 10 mph ENE | 2.1 ft | 8:21 am · 9:04 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 45 / 52 °F | 11 mph E | 1.8 ft | 9:21 am · 9:56 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 43 / 51 °F | 8 mph ESE | — | 10:11 am · 10:40 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 46 / 56 °F | 5 mph SSE | — | 10:55 am · 11:19 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 53 / 58 °F | 8 mph SSE | — | 11:33 am · 11:54 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 51 / 58 °F | 9 mph SSW | — | 12:08 pm |
- Thu 29 Fog 47° / 59° 0.3 ft
- Fri 30 Fog 49° / 58° 1.2 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 50° / 57° 1.4 ft
- Sun 1 Light rain 49° / 55° 0.9 ft
- Mon 2 Light rain 48° / 54° 2.2 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 48° / 54° 2.0 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 45° / 55° 2.1 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 (+3.2 °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 8:54 pm (local time).
The sun in Colchester
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:29 am
- Full dark 5:50 pm
- Civil dawn 6:09 am
- Civil dusk 5:11 pm
- Solar noon 11:40 am (25° high)
- Daylight 9 h 52 min (−4 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:47 pm
- Full dark 5:50 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,923 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Colchester
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:18–2:18 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 12:49–2:49 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:44–10:44 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 Colchester
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Wivenhoe Jetty 3.5 mi
- Brookhall Lake 8.0 mi
- Boat ramp 3.6 mi
- Cattawade Slipway 8.0 mi
- Cattawade Tidal Slipway 8.0 mi
- Waterside Marina 7.7 mi
- Ben's Fish Ltd 0.2 mi
- Colchester Bait & Tackle 1.1 mi
- Snags Tackle Ltd 1.3 mi
- Bmp Carp Fisheries 1.7 mi
- K. D. Radcliffe 2.2 mi
- Angling Direct Colchester 2.6 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.
Tides near ColchesterTides nearby
- Rowhedge2.8 mi
- Wivenhoe3.3 mi
- Alresford4.8 mi
- Brightlingsea7.4 mi
- West Mersea7.7 mi
- Manningtree7.7 mi
- Mistley8.5 mi
- Tollesbury9.5 mi
- Saint Osyth9.8 mi
- Thorpe le Soken11 mi
Colchester at a glance
- Town or city of about 130,245 people. Coordinates: 51.889° N, 0.904° E.
- It is 13 mi northwest of Clacton-on-Sea, the main place in Essex. The sun rises 1 min later and sets 1 min later than in Clacton-on-Sea.
- The nearest tide station, Clacton Pier, is 13 mi to the southeast.
- Its coast faces east.
Questions about ColchesterQuestions
What time is high tide today in Colchester?
Today in Colchester there are high tides at 12:36 am (16.4 ft) and 12:53 pm (16.8 ft) and low tides at 6:44 am and 7:09 pm. Tide coefficient 86.
What time is sunset today in Colchester?
At 4:36 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:11 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Colchester?
At 6:45 am. First light comes at 5:31 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 12:18–2:18 am, Minor 9:44–10:44 am, Major 12:49–2:49 pm, Minor 4:49–5:49 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Colchester?
Overcast, from 45 °F to 59 °F, with a light breeze from the west-southwest (5 mph) and a 2% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Colchester?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 0.4 ft waves with a period of 2.2 s from the southwest. The water is 54.1 °F.
When is the best time to visit Colchester?
The best time to visit Colchester is from June to August: highs of 70 °F to 74 °F, about 9 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: Clacton Pier tidal level station of the Environment Agency (England). This uses Environment Agency flood and river level 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).