Rayleigh tides today
- Tide now 18.4 ft ↓ falling · low 8:16 am (2.9 ft)
- Best time to fish 2:00–3:20 pm average day · 6/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 0.1 ft · 57 °F calm (rippled) · 1.9 s from the west-southwest
- Wind · air 2 mph · 49 °F from the SW, gusts 5 · overcast
- Sun 6:46 am–4:36 pm 9 h 50 min of daylight
- Moon 85% · 6:19 pm waning gibbous · rises at 6:19 pm
- Best time to dive 1:40–2:40 pm great day · 10/10
Today in Rayleigh there are high tides at 1:57 am (19.6 ft) and 2:17 pm (19.9 ft) and low tides at 8:16 am and 8:42 pm. Tide coefficient 84. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 8:16 am. The sun rises at 6:46 am and sets at 4:36 pm: 9 h 50 min of daylight. The moon is 85% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 6:19 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:23 am to 3:23 am and from 1:55 pm to 3:55 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is calm (rippled), with 0.1 ft waves. There's a light air from the southwest (2 mph). Overcast, 49 °F.
Fishing in Rayleigh today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- High tide at 2:17 pm, coefficient 83
- Major period 1:55–3:55 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.09 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (4 mph) and calm sea (0.1 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 84 (average tides)
- A major period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 2:00 pm to 3:20 pm, combines the 2:17 pm high tide and a major period, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 1:20 am to 3:00 am, with the 1:57 am high tide and a major period, though with rising pressure.
Species with the most records nearby: thornback ray, European flounder, common sole and European plaice. October is one of the months when these are seen most: thornback ray and whiting. What you can catch
Beach day in Rayleigh
Is it a beach day?
- Offshore breeze (4 mph)
- Calm for swimming: 0.1 ft waves
- Low tide at 8:16 am: more sand
- Fog
- Feels like 58 °F: chilly for the beach
- Water at 57 °F (very cold)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 0.1 ft
0.1 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 57 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 4 mph
Offshore breeze (4 mph).
- Tide & sand 8:16 am
Low tide at 8:16 am and 8:42 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 1:57 am and 2:17 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 Rayleigh
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Bell Wharf Beach 3.8 mi · SE
- Restrooms
- Parking
Good water quality 2025 season, Environment Agency
- Southend Westcliff Bay 5.0 mi · SE
- Parking
Good water quality 2025 season, Environment Agency
- Thorney Bay Beach 5.1 mi · S
- Parking
- Three Shells Beach 5.9 mi · SE
- Restrooms
- Parking
Excellent water quality 2025 season, Environment Agency
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: Environment Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Full attribution.
Webcams near Rayleigh
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Rayleigh
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 1:57 am 19.6 ft · coef. 84
- ▼ Next low tide 8:16 am 2.9 ft
- ▲ High tide 2:17 pm 19.9 ft · coef. 83
- ▼ Low tide 8:42 pm 2.9 ft
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 h 31 min to low tide at 8:16 am.
Tide coefficient 84 for the 1:57 am high tide and 83 for the 2:17 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 17.1 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: an average 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 (20.7 ft) and the lowest, on August 14 (1.0 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, 18.7 ft range). The smallest, on October 20 (coefficient 42, 9.0 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 | 6:46 am · 4:36 pm | High tide 1:57 am · 19.6 ft | Low tide 8:16 am · 2.9 ft | High tide 2:17 pm · 19.9 ft | Low tide 8:42 pm · 2.9 ft | Coef. 84 | 85% | Major periods 1:23 am · 1:55 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 6:48 am · 4:34 pm | High tide 2:38 am · 19.3 ft | Low tide 8:55 am · 2.9 ft | High tide 3:01 pm · 19.5 ft | Low tide 9:23 pm · 3.6 ft | Coef. 82 | 76% | Major periods 2:27 am · 2:59 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 6:49 am · 4:32 pm | High tide 3:22 am · 18.8 ft | Low tide 9:36 am · 3.2 ft | High tide 3:50 pm · 18.8 ft | Low tide 10:08 pm · 4.5 ft | Coef. 77 | 65% | Major periods 3:30 am · 4:00 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:51 am · 4:30 pm | High tide 4:13 am · 18.1 ft | Low tide 10:25 am · 3.7 ft | High tide 4:48 pm · 17.9 ft | Low tide 11:04 pm · 5.5 ft | Coef. 70 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:29 am · 4:57 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:53 am · 4:29 pm | High tide 5:14 am · 17.3 ft | Low tide 11:31 am · 4.2 ft | High tide 5:58 pm · 17.0 ft | — | Coef. 63 | 43% | Major periods 5:23 am · 5:48 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:55 am · 4:27 pm | Low tide 12:22 am · 6.1 ft | High tide 6:28 am · 16.8 ft | Low tide 1:05 pm · 4.3 ft | High tide 7:18 pm · 16.7 ft | Coef. 59 | 32% | Major periods 6:13 am · 6:36 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:57 am · 4:25 pm | Low tide 1:50 am · 6.0 ft | High tide 7:48 am · 16.9 ft | Low tide 2:31 pm · 3.8 ft | High tide 8:36 pm · 17.1 ft | Coef. 64 | 23% | Major periods 6:59 am · 7:21 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
Rayleigh has no station of its own, so we use the tide at Southend (Environment Agency), 7.1 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): Southend (0019), https://environment.data.gov.uk/flood-monitoring/id/stations/0019. 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 Rayleigh
Sea stateSea state: calm (rippled)
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.0 ft
- Significant0.1 ft
- Highest expectedHighest0.1 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 0.1 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 0.1 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces north 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 Tuesday 3: 1.8 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 about normal for late October.
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 2:34 am (local time).
Nearest marine station
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from Channel Coastal Observatory (CCO), 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 Rayleigh today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (2:17 pm): little current from 2:02 pm to 2:32 pm
- 0.1 ft swell at 2 s from the east-northeast: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (4 mph)
- 0.0 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 1:57 am (1:42–2:12 am), low tide 8:16 am (7:30–8:40 am), high tide 2:17 pm (2:02–2:32 pm) and low tide 8:42 pm (8:00–9:00 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 57.0 °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 (85%), rising at 6:19 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 1:40 pm to 2:40 pm, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also good from 7:00 am to 9:10 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
- Buckland Lake Reserve 11 mi
- HMS London 8.3 mi
- Wreck 5.4 mi
- Wreck 5.4 mi
- Salt Fleet Flats Reserve 7.6 mi
- Nutty's Dive Centre 1.3 mi
- Calypso Blue Diving 4.3 mi
- Basildon Sub Aqua - Bsac Scuba Diving Club 4.3 mi
- Orca Scuba Diving Academy 4.4 mi
- Dive Odyssea 4.4 mi
- Microdive Ltd 5.0 mi
- Southend Diving 6.0 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 Rayleigh
Now in Rayleigh
- Low / high
- 48 / 59 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 96%
- Dew pointDew point
- 48 °F
- Visibility
- 7.1 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Moderate · 43
- 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: +0.12 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 | Overcast | Overcast | Fog | Fog | Partly cloudy | Clear sky | Partly cloudy | Mainly clear |
| Temperature | 51° | 49° | 48° | 51° | 58° | 59° | 52° | 51° |
| Wind (mph) | 4 WSW | 2 WSW | 2 WSW | 1 ESE | 3 SE | 4 SE | 4 E | 3 ESE |
| Gusts | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Waves | 0.1 ft | 0.1 ft | 0.1 ft | 0.0 ft | 0.0 ft | 0.1 ft | 0.1 ft | 0.1 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 49° 2 WSW 0.1 ft
- 6:00 am 48° 2 WSW 0.1 ft
- 9:00 am 51° 1 ESE 0.0 ft
- 12:00 pm 58° 3 SE 0.0 ft
- 3:00 pm 59° 4 SE 0.1 ft
- 6:00 pm 52° 4 E 0.1 ft
- 9:00 pm 51° 3 ESE 0.1 ft
- 12:00 am 51° 2 ENE 0.1 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 48 / 59 °F | 4 mph SE | 0.1 ft | 1:57 am · 2:17 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 49 / 59 °F | 8 mph E | 0.7 ft | 2:38 am · 3:01 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 50 / 56 °F | 8 mph ENE | 0.7 ft | 3:22 am · 3:50 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 48 / 53 °F | 9 mph NNW | 1.0 ft | 4:13 am · 4:48 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 46 / 55 °F | 12 mph N | 1.6 ft | 5:14 am · 5:58 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 47 / 55 °F | 14 mph NNE | 1.8 ft | 6:28 am · 7:18 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 49 / 53 °F | 10 mph NE | 1.6 ft | 7:48 am · 8:36 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 46 / 53 °F | 12 mph E | 1.3 ft | 9:01 am · 9:42 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 47 / 53 °F | 13 mph E | 1.6 ft | 10:02 am · 10:36 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 44 / 49 °F | 9 mph ESE | 2.1 ft | 10:53 am · 11:21 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 47 / 57 °F | 5 mph SSE | 0.5 ft | 11:38 am | |
| Mon 9 | 52 / 58 °F | 7 mph SSE | 0.6 ft | 12:01 am · 12:16 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 54 / 60 °F | 12 mph SSW | 0.9 ft | 12:36 am · 12:51 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 51 / 57 °F | 11 mph W | 0.8 ft | 1:08 am · 1:23 pm |
- Fri 30 Partly cloudy 49° / 59° 0.7 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 50° / 56° 0.7 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 48° / 53° 1.0 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 46° / 55° 1.6 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 47° / 55° 1.8 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 49° / 53° 1.6 ft
- Thu 5 Clear sky 46° / 53° 1.3 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 (+3.4 °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 2:34 am (local time).
The sun in Rayleigh
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:32 am
- Full dark 5:50 pm
- Civil dawn 6:11 am
- Civil dusk 5:11 pm
- Solar noon 11:41 am (25° high)
- Daylight 9 h 50 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 92,335,591 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Rayleigh
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,641 mi away and looks 32′ 45″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:23–3:23 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:55–3:55 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:01 am–12:01 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 5:49–6:49 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 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 Rayleigh
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Holehaven Pier 5.6 mi
- OIKOS Jetty 3 5.6 mi
- OIKOS Jetty 1 (Main Jetty) 5.7 mi
- OIKOS Jetty 2 5.7 mi
- Boat ramp 3.1 mi
- Boat ramp 3.5 mi
- Boat ramp 3.5 mi
- South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club 3.2 mi
- Benfleet Yacht Club 3.4 mi
- Angling Direct 0.7 mi
- Banging Baits 1.9 mi
- Hooked Carp Tackle 2.0 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 RayleighTides nearby
- Hadleigh2.3 mi
- South Benfleet3.0 mi
- Wickford3.9 mi
- Chalkwell4.1 mi
- Pitsea4.4 mi
- Rochford4.4 mi
- Canvey Island4.5 mi
- Southend-on-Sea5.8 mi
- Southchurch Village6.2 mi
- Canewdon6.4 mi
Rayleigh at a glance
- Town or city of about 32,380 people. Coordinates: 51.586° N, 0.605° E.
- It is 28 mi southwest of Clacton-on-Sea, the main place in Essex. The sun rises 2 min later and sets 3 min later than in Clacton-on-Sea.
- The nearest tide station, Southend, is 7.1 mi to the southeast.
- Its coast faces north.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Isle of Grain (4.5 mi).
Questions about RayleighQuestions
What time is high tide today in Rayleigh?
Today in Rayleigh there are high tides at 1:57 am (19.6 ft) and 2:17 pm (19.9 ft) and low tides at 8:16 am and 8:42 pm. Tide coefficient 84.
What time is sunset today in Rayleigh?
At 4:36 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:11 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Rayleigh?
At 6:48 am. First light comes at 5:33 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 1:23–3:23 am, Minor 11:01 am–12:01 pm, Major 1:55–3:55 pm, Minor 5:49–6:49 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Rayleigh?
Fog, from 48 °F to 59 °F, with a light air from the southwest (2 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Rayleigh?
Calm (rippled) (Douglas 1): 0.1 ft waves with a period of 1.9 s from the west-southwest. The water is 57.0 °F.
When is the best time to visit Rayleigh?
The best time to visit Rayleigh is from July to August: highs of 73 °F, about 8 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: Southend 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).