Culbin Sands today
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Tide now 7.8 ft ↑ rising · high 1:21 am (14.2 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 2:10–2:50 pm good day · 7/10
- Waves · water 1.4 ft · 53 °F smooth · 2.8 s from the southwest
- Wind · air 6 mph · 52 °F from the SW, gusts 16 · partly cloudy
- Sun 7:18 am–4:38 pm 9 h 20 min of daylight
- Moon 92% · 4:46 pm waning gibbous · rises at 4:46 pm
- Diving tomorrow 12:20–2:40 pm great day · 10/10
Today in Culbin Sands there are high tides at 12:34 am (14.5 ft) and 1:01 pm (14.0 ft) and low tides at 6:39 am and 6:54 pm. Tide coefficient 98. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 1:21 am. The sun rises at 7:18 am and sets at 4:38 pm: 9 h 20 min of daylight. The moon is 92% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 4:46 pm. Major solunar periods run from 12:37 am to 2:37 am and from 1:09 pm to 3:09 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is smooth, with 1.4 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the southwest (6 mph). Partly cloudy, 52 °F.
Beach day in Culbin Sands
Is it a beach day?
- Sun and clouds
- Calm for swimming: 1.8 ft waves
- Feels like 49 °F: chilly for the beach
- Moderate offshore wind (13 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Water at 53 °F (very cold)
- High tide at 1:01 pm, coefficient 96: little sand left
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 1.8 ft
1.8 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 53 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 1 · SPF 15
Max UV 1 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 13 mph
Moderate offshore wind (13 mph). Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 6:39 am
Low tide at 6:39 am and 6:54 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 12:34 am and 1:01 pm. Coefficient 98 (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
About Culbin SandsThe beach
3.9 mi from Forres. Tides, weather and sun in Forres →
- Restrooms
- Parking
Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. See on OpenStreetMap · Fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches near Culbin Sands
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Culbin Sands.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Culbin Sands
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Fishing in Culbin Sands today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- High tide at 1:01 pm, coefficient 96
- Major period 1:09–3:09 pm
- Rising pressure (+0.66 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (11 mph) and some swell (1.7 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 98 (spring tides)
- A minor period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 1:10 pm to 2:00 pm, combines the 1:01 pm high tide, a major period and some swell, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 12:40 am to 1:30 am, with the 12:34 am high tide, a major period and some swell, though with rising pressure. Also worth a try from 6:40 am to 7:40 am, with the 6:39 am low tide and sunrise, though with rising pressure and moderate wind.
Species with the most records nearby: whiting, haddock, European plaice and Atlantic cod. October is one of the months when these are seen most: Atlantic cod. What you can catch
Tides in Culbin Sands
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 12:34 am 14.5 ft · coef. 98
- ▼ Low tide 6:39 am 2.5 ft
- ▲ High tide 1:01 pm 14.0 ft · coef. 96
- ▼ Low tide 6:54 pm 2.6 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 3 h 29 min to high tide at 1:21 am.
Tide coefficient 98 for the 12:34 am high tide and 96 for the 1:01 pm high tide. Spring tides. The water rises and falls 12.0 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 15 (15.2 ft) and the lowest, on August 14 (0.4 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 26 to 28 (coefficient 98, 12.3 ft range). The smallest, on October 19 (coefficient 30, 4.6 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 | 7:18 am · 4:38 pm | High tide 12:34 am · 14.5 ft | Low tide 6:39 am · 2.5 ft | High tide 1:01 pm · 14.0 ft | Low tide 6:54 pm · 2.6 ft | Coef. 98 | 92% | Major periods 12:37 am · 1:09 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 7:21 am · 4:35 pm | High tide 1:21 am · 14.2 ft | Low tide 7:15 am · 3.1 ft | High tide 1:45 pm · 13.8 ft | Low tide 7:39 pm · 2.9 ft | Coef. 93 | 85% | Major periods 1:41 am · 2:13 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 7:23 am · 4:33 pm | High tide 2:13 am · 13.7 ft | Low tide 7:55 am · 3.9 ft | High tide 2:35 pm · 13.3 ft | Low tide 8:35 pm · 3.4 ft | Coef. 84 | 76% | Major periods 2:45 am · 3:17 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:25 am · 4:31 pm | High tide 3:10 am · 13.0 ft | Low tide 8:46 am · 4.9 ft | High tide 3:30 pm · 12.8 ft | Low tide 9:46 pm · 3.9 ft | Coef. 72 | 65% | Major periods 3:48 am · 4:18 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 7:27 am · 4:28 pm | High tide 4:10 am · 12.2 ft | Low tide 9:57 am · 5.8 ft | High tide 4:30 pm · 12.3 ft | Low tide 11:08 pm · 4.2 ft | Coef. 59 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:47 am · 5:15 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 7:30 am · 4:26 pm | High tide 5:16 am · 11.6 ft | Low tide 11:27 am · 6.3 ft | High tide 5:35 pm · 12.1 ft | — | Coef. 51 | 43% | Major periods 5:41 am · 6:06 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 7:32 am · 4:24 pm | Low tide 12:35 am · 4.1 ft | High tide 6:28 am · 11.3 ft | Low tide 1:10 pm · 6.2 ft | High tide 6:44 pm · 12.1 ft | Coef. 53 | 32% | Major periods 6:30 am · 6:54 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
Culbin Sands has no station of its own, so we use the tide at Moray Firth (TICON-4), 12 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: 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 Culbin Sands
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.7 ft
- Significant1.4 ft
- Highest expectedHighest3.0 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 3.0 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 3.0 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Offshore wind. The coast faces northeast 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 stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 1.9 ft with a period of 3 s, from the south-southwest (slight).
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 51.4 °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 9:53 pm (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), via the E.U. Copernicus Marine Service. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (doi:10.48670/moi-00036).
Surf in Culbin Sands today
Surf today
Flat- Barely any waves (0.4 ft sets): flat
- Light offshore wind (12 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 1:01 pm)
It’s flat today: almost no waves reach this coast.
- Light: First light 6:37 am · sunrise 7:18 am · sunset 4:38 pm · last light 5:19 pm
- Tide: high 12:34 am (14.5 ft), low 6:39 am (2.5 ft), high 1:01 pm (14.0 ft) and low 6:54 pm (2.6 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 52.9 °F: a 5/4 fullsuit with booties (and a hood if it’s windy).
- Energy: 3 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, has light offshore wind, though with barely any waves.
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 Culbin Sands today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (1:01 pm): little current from 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm
- 0.1 ft swell at 3 s from the west: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (11 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 12:34 am (12:00–1:00 am), low tide 6:39 am (5:50–7:10 am), high tide 1:01 pm (12:30–1:20 pm) and low tide 6:54 pm (6:10–7:30 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 52.9 °F: a 7 mm semi-dry suit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 5:19 pm. Waning gibbous (92%), rising at 4:46 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 12:30 pm to 1:50 pm, combines slack water at high tide, little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high.
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
- Guiding Light 4.0 mi
- Hmsm Tantivy 5.6 mi
- Ellie May 6.0 mi
- Friendly Isle 6.6 mi
- Durham Castle 8.4 mi
- Wreck 0.6 mi
- Wreck 1.9 mi
- Wreck 2.1 mi
- Wreck 4.6 mi
- Wreck 4.7 mi
- Wreck 5.2 mi
- Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve 2.9 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 Culbin Sands
Now in Culbin Sands
- Low / high
- 48 / 54 °F
- Rain
- 0.03 in · 100%
- Clouds
- 56%
- Humidity
- 77%
- Dew pointDew point
- 45 °F
- Visibility
- 22 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Fair · 25
- Saharan dust
- No
- Pollen
- None
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising · now Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Rising now (+0.06 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.27 inHg. Rising pressure: anglers say fish bite less for a while. 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 | Light rain | Overcast | Mainly clear | Mainly clear | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast |
| Temperature | 48° | 48° | 51° | 51° | 53° | 54° | 53° | 52° |
| Wind (mph) | 11 SSW | 9 S | 14 SW | 12 WSW | 12 WSW | 8 SW | 9 SW | 8 SSW |
| Gusts | 30 | 23 | 34 | 26 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 17 |
| Waves | 1.9 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.2 ft | 1.6 ft | 1.8 ft | 1.7 ft | 1.5 ft | 1.4 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.02 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 9:00 pm 52° 8 SSW 1.4 ft
- 12:00 am 52° 5 SSW 1.2 ft
- 3:00 am 52° 5 S 1.0 ft
- 6:00 am 52° 4 S 0.9 ft
- 9:00 am 53° 5 SSE 0.8 ft
- 12:00 pm 58° 4 SSE 0.5 ft
- 3:00 pm 58° 4 S 0.3 ft
- 6:00 pm 52° 3 SSE 0.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 48 / 54 °F | 15 mph SW | 1.9 ft | 12:34 am · 1:01 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 50 / 59 °F | 5 mph S | 1.2 ft | 1:21 am · 1:45 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 47 / 55 °F | 4 mph SSE | 0.9 ft | 2:13 am · 2:35 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 53 / 55 °F | 7 mph WSW | 0.6 ft | 3:10 am · 3:30 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 45 / 51 °F | 6 mph W | 0.5 ft | 4:10 am · 4:30 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 43 / 51 °F | 4 mph SW | 0.2 ft | 5:16 am · 5:35 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 37 / 49 °F | 6 mph S | 0.2 ft | 6:28 am · 6:44 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 35 / 48 °F | 6 mph S | 0.3 ft | 7:45 am · 7:55 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 33 / 48 °F | 6 mph S | 0.2 ft | 8:52 am · 8:58 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 33 / 44 °F | 6 mph S | 0.1 ft | 9:43 am · 9:51 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 33 / 44 °F | 6 mph S | 0.5 ft | 10:27 am · 10:38 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 33 / 43 °F | 4 mph S | 0.4 ft | 11:06 am · 11:21 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 33 / 43 °F | 5 mph SSE | 0.7 ft | 11:44 am | |
| Tue 10 | 42 / 47 °F | 5 mph S | 1.7 ft | 12:02 am · 12:19 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 50° / 59° 1.2 ft
- Fri 30 Light rain 47° / 55° 0.9 ft
- Sat 31 Light showers 53° / 55° 0.6 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 45° / 51° 0.5 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 43° / 51° 0.2 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 37° / 49° 0.2 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 35° / 48° 0.3 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, normal highs for late October (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 9:53 pm (local time).
The sun in Culbin Sands
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 5:52 am
- Full dark 6:04 pm
- Civil dawn 6:37 am
- Civil dusk 5:19 pm
- Solar noon 11:59 am (19° high)
- Daylight 9 h 20 min (−5 min)
- Evening golden hour 3:39 pm
- Full dark 6:04 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,359,611 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Culbin Sands
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,451 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 12:37–2:37 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 1:09–3:09 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:54–11:54 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 4:16–5:16 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 Culbin Sands
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- North Pier 2.7 mi
- South Pier 2.8 mi
- Jetty 7.7 mi
- Jetty 7.8 mi
- Glory Hole 2.2 mi
- Sturdee 2.6 mi
- Boat ramp 2.5 mi
- Boat ramp 2.7 mi
- Strauny Slipway 2.9 mi
- Boat ramp 7.7 mi
- Findhorn Marina 2.6 mi
- Nairn Harbour 7.8 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 2.6 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (0.55 mi from Culbin Sands) out to sea, heading northeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.9 mi
- 33 ft deep2.6 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 0.9 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 2.6 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
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.
Tides near Culbin SandsTides nearby
- Findhorn2.9 mi
- Forres3.9 mi
- Kinloss4.5 mi
- Burghead8.0 mi
- Nairn8.7 mi
- Hopeman10 mi
- Balintore11 mi
- Nigg12 mi
- Cromarty13 mi
- Ardersier14 mi
Culbin Sands at a glance
- Beach. Coordinates: 57.654° N, 3.687° W.
- It is 16 mi west of Lossiemouth, the main place in Moray. The sun rises 1 min later and sets 2 min later than in Lossiemouth.
- 3.9 mi from Forres.
- The nearest tide station, Moray Firth, is 12 mi to the west.
- Its coast faces northeast.
Questions about Culbin SandsQuestions
Where is Culbin Sands?
3.9 mi from Forres, in Moray (United Kingdom). The shore faces northeast.
What amenities does Culbin Sands have?
According to OpenStreetMap: restrooms and parking. Some may be missing or out of date, so ask at the beach.
What time is high tide today in Culbin Sands?
Today in Culbin Sands there are high tides at 12:34 am (14.5 ft) and 1:01 pm (14.0 ft) and low tides at 6:39 am and 6:54 pm. Tide coefficient 98.
What time is sunset today in Culbin Sands?
At 4:38 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:19 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Culbin Sands?
At 7:21 am. First light comes at 5:54 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 12:37–2:37 am, Minor 10:54–11:54 am, Major 1:09–3:09 pm, Minor 4:16–5:16 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Culbin Sands?
Light rain, from 48 °F to 54 °F, with a light breeze from the southwest (6 mph) and a 100% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Culbin Sands?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 1.4 ft waves with a period of 2.8 s from the southwest. The water is 52.9 °F.
When is the best time to visit Culbin Sands?
The best time to visit Culbin Sands is from July to September: highs of 61 °F to 65 °F, about 12 rainy days a month and 4 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: Moray Firth 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).