Arcata tides today
- Tide now -1.2 ft ↑ rising · high 4:03 am (5.7 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 3:00–5:00 am average day · 6/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 5.2 ft · 56 °F moderate · 9.9 s from the northwest
- Wind · air 2 mph · 47 °F from the NNE, gusts 5 · overcast
- Sun 7:43 am–6:17 pm 10 h 35 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 7:57 pm waning gibbous · rises at 7:57 pm
- Diving tomorrow 1:30–3:50 pm average day · 6/10
- Coastal Flood Advisory: minor flooding along the shore at high tide. From 1:00 pm tomorrow to 4:00 pm tomorrow. NWS Eureka CA
Today in Arcata there are high tides at 3:06 am (5.9 ft) and 2:03 pm (8.2 ft) and low tides at 8:04 am and 9:18 pm. Tide coefficient 88. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 4:03 am. The sun rises at 7:43 am and sets at 6:17 pm: 10 h 35 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 7:57 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:00 am to 4:00 am and from 2:32 pm to 4:32 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is moderate, with 5.2 ft waves. There's a light air from the north-northeast (2 mph). Overcast, 47 °F.
Fishing in Arcata today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 8:04 am
- Sunrise at 7:43 am
- Steady pressure (30.12 inHg), light cross-shore wind (4 mph) and 5.4 ft waves
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 88 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 7:10 am to 8:20 am, combines the 8:04 am low tide and sunrise. Also good from 2:10 am to 4:00 am, with the 3:06 am high tide and a major period. Also good from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with the 2:03 pm high tide and a major period.
Species with the most records nearby: black rockfish, lingcod and market squid. October is one of the months when these are seen most: black rockfish and lingcod. What you can catch
Beach day in Arcata
Is it a beach day?
- Sunny
- Cross-shore breeze (11 mph)
- UV 3 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Low tide at 8:04 am: more sand
- Feels like 53 °F: chilly for the beach
- Swim with care: 5.4 ft waves every 10 s; moderate rip current risk
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 5.4 ft
5.4 ft waves every 10 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Moderate rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 56 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 3 · SPF 30
Max UV 3 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 11 mph
Cross-shore breeze (11 mph).
- Tide & sand 8:04 am
Low tide at 8:04 am and 9:18 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 3:06 am and 2:03 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 Arcata
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Arcata.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Arcata
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Arcata
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 3:06 am 5.9 ft · coef. 88
- ▼ Low tide 8:04 am 2.9 ft
- ▲ High tide 2:03 pm 8.2 ft · coef. 86
- ▼ Low tide 9:18 pm -1.3 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 6 h 22 min to high tide at 4:03 am.
Tide coefficient 88 for the 3:06 am high tide and 86 for the 2:03 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 9.4 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 December 24 (8.9 ft) and the lowest, on June 16 (-2.3 ft).
Mixed: two high and two low tides a day, but of quite different heights.
Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 9 to 11 (coefficient 90, 7.8 ft range). The smallest, on October 18 (coefficient 37, 4.8 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 | 7:43 am · 6:17 pm | High tide 3:06 am · 5.9 ft | Low tide 8:04 am · 2.9 ft | High tide 2:03 pm · 8.2 ft | Low tide 9:18 pm · -1.3 ft | Coef. 88 | 91% | Major periods 2:00 am · 2:32 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:44 am · 6:16 pm | High tide 4:03 am · 5.7 ft | Low tide 8:51 am · 3.3 ft | High tide 2:49 pm · 8.0 ft | Low tide 10:10 pm · -1.1 ft | Coef. 83 | 83% | Major periods 3:04 am · 3:36 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:45 am · 6:15 pm | High tide 5:04 am · 5.5 ft | Low tide 9:45 am · 3.5 ft | High tide 3:42 pm · 7.6 ft | Low tide 11:07 pm · -0.8 ft | Coef. 75 | 73% | Major periods 4:08 am · 4:40 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:46 am · 6:13 pm | High tide 6:10 am · 5.4 ft | Low tide 10:52 am · 3.7 ft | High tide 4:45 pm · 7.1 ft | — | Coef. 67 | 62% | Major periods 5:10 am · 5:39 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:47 am · 5:12 pm | Low tide 12:09 am · -0.4 ft | High tide 6:16 am · 5.5 ft | Low tide 11:14 am · 3.6 ft | High tide 5:00 pm · 6.5 ft | Coef. 62 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:07 am · 5:34 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:48 am · 5:11 pm | Low tide 12:12 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 7:16 am · 5.8 ft | Low tide 12:42 pm · 3.2 ft | High tide 6:21 pm · 6.1 ft | Coef. 62 | 39% | Major periods 5:59 am · 6:24 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:50 am · 5:10 pm | Low tide 1:14 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 8:08 am · 6.2 ft | Low tide 2:01 pm · 2.5 ft | High tide 7:42 pm · 5.8 ft | Coef. 67 | 29% | Major periods 6:48 am · 7:11 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Arcata Wharf station (NOAA), 2.1 mi from Arcata. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Humboldt Bay (North Spit) reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Arcata
Sea stateSea state: moderate
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common2.6 ft
- Significant5.2 ft
- Highest expectedHighest10 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 10 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 10 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Offshore wind. The coast faces southwest 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: 7.8 ft with a period of 16 s, from the west-northwest (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 warmer than normal for late October (+2.6 °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 9:41 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 46244, courtesy of CDIP (Coastal Data Information Program, Scripps Institution of Oceanography), via the NOAA National Data Buoy Center.
Diving in Arcata today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- Slack water around high tide (2:03 pm): little current from 1:40 pm to 2:30 pm
- 4.2 ft swell at 7 s from the northwest: some surge on the bottom
- Light cross-shore wind (9 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the south, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 3:06 am (2:40–3:40 am), low tide 8:04 am (7:30–8:30 am), high tide 2:03 pm (1:40–2:30 pm) and low tide 9:18 pm (9:00–9:33 pm)
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 4.7 ft at 7 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 55.8 °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 6:45 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 7:57 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high, though with some swell. Also worth a look from 7:40 am to 9:20 am, with slack water at low tide, light wind and weak current, though with some swell.
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
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
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Weather in Arcata
Now in Arcata
- Low / high
- 39 / 57 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 74%
- Dew pointDew point
- 40 °F
- Visibility
- 11 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 37
- Saharan dust
- No
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 (+0.00 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.11 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 | Clear | Clear | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear sky | Partly cloudy | Overcast |
| Temperature | 44° | 41° | 39° | 42° | 55° | 57° | 52° | 48° |
| Wind (mph) | 1 E | 4 E | 2 SE | 2 SE | 6 NW | 11 NNW | 5 NNW | 3 NE |
| Gusts | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 7 |
| Waves | 5.5 ft | 5.6 ft | 5.5 ft | 5.4 ft | 5.2 ft | 5.2 ft | 5.1 ft | 5.2 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 48° 3 NE 5.2 ft
- 12:00 am 46° 3 NNE 5.4 ft
- 3:00 am 44° 2 ENE 5.4 ft
- 6:00 am 44° 3 NE 5.5 ft
- 9:00 am 44° 2 NNE 5.5 ft
- 12:00 pm 57° 7 NNW 5.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 57° 11 NNW 5.3 ft
- 6:00 pm 54° 4 N 5.2 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 39 / 57 °F | 11 mph N | 5.6 ft | 3:06 am · 2:03 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 43 / 57 °F | 11 mph N | 5.5 ft | 4:03 am · 2:49 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 43 / 55 °F | 4 mph NNE | 4.9 ft | 5:04 am · 3:42 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 43 / 53 °F | 3 mph NE | 3.9 ft | 6:10 am · 4:45 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 41 / 55 °F | 8 mph NNE | 5.5 ft | 6:16 am · 5:00 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 44 / 58 °F | 3 mph ESE | 7.8 ft | 7:16 am · 6:21 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 48 / 58 °F | 2 mph ESE | 7.7 ft | 8:08 am · 7:42 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 48 / 58 °F | 3 mph SSE | 6.2 ft | 8:51 am · 8:57 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 49 / 57 °F | 4 mph S | 7.0 ft | 9:29 am · 10:03 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 49 / 55 °F | 3 mph S | 10 ft | 10:04 am · 11:02 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 49 / 56 °F | 3 mph SSE | 7.5 ft | 10:36 am · 11:55 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 50 / 64 °F | 5 mph SSE | 8.3 ft | 11:07 am | |
| Mon 9 | 54 / 70 °F | 5 mph SE | 7.8 ft | 12:43 am · 11:38 am | |
| Tue 10 | 54 / 72 °F | 10 mph SSE | 7.2 ft | 1:27 am · 12:08 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 43° / 57° 5.5 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 43° / 55° 4.9 ft
- Sat 31 Drizzle 43° / 53° 3.9 ft
- Sun 1 Partly cloudy 41° / 55° 5.5 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 44° / 58° 7.8 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 48° / 58° 7.7 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 48° / 58° 6.2 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.
- Normal Today, cooler than normal for late October (−6.6 °F; normal high: 64 °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 9:41 pm (local time).
The sun in Arcata
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:42 am
- Full dark 7:18 pm
- Civil dawn 7:14 am
- Civil dusk 6:45 pm
- Solar noon 1:00 pm (36° high)
- Daylight 10 h 35 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:39 pm
- Full dark 7:18 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,351,449 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Arcata
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,426 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 2:00–4:00 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:32–4:32 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:33–11:33 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:27–8:27 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 · 12:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pmNov 8 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 3:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 6:54 amNov 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 Arcata
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Adorni Fishing Pier 5.8 mi
- Del Norte Street Fishing Pier 7.6 mi
- Pier in Ruin 6.2 mi
- Ruins 6.8 mi
- Ruins 7.6 mi
- Jetty 5.6 mi
- Boat ramp 5.0 mi
- Boat ramp 5.2 mi
- Boat ramp 5.5 mi
- Boat ramp 6.5 mi
- Woodley Island Marina 5.8 mi
- Eureka Public Marina 6.6 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
Very shallowVery shallow and flat: even 3.1 mi from shore the water is less than 16 ft deep.
From the shoreline (1.1 mi from Arcata) out to sea, heading southwest.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Very shallow: the water doesn't reach 16 ft within 3.1 mi. Cast far from the beach, ideally around high tide.
- 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3.1 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther out.
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: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near ArcataTides nearby
- Bayside1.9 mi
- Indianola3.7 mi
- Manila4.3 mi
- Myrtletown5.9 mi
- Eureka6.1 mi
- Samoa6.3 mi
- Bayview8.4 mi
- Pine Hill8.5 mi
- Bucksport8.5 mi
- Spruce Point10 mi
Arcata at a glance
- Town or city of about 17,843 people. Coordinates: 40.867° N, 124.083° W.
- It is 680 mi northwest of San Diego, the main place in California. The sun rises 39 min later and sets 16 min later than in San Diego.
- The nearest tide station, Arcata Wharf, is 2.1 mi to the southwest.
- Its coast faces southwest.
Questions about ArcataQuestions
What time is high tide today in Arcata?
Today in Arcata there are high tides at 3:06 am (5.9 ft) and 2:03 pm (8.2 ft) and low tides at 8:04 am and 9:18 pm. Tide coefficient 88.
What time is sunset today in Arcata?
At 6:17 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:45 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Arcata?
At 7:44 am. First light comes at 6:43 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pm.
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 2:00–4:00 am, Minor 10:33–11:33 am, Major 2:32–4:32 pm, Minor 7:27–8:27 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Arcata?
Overcast, from 39 °F to 57 °F, with a light air from the north-northeast (2 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Arcata?
Moderate (Douglas 4): 5.2 ft waves with a period of 9.9 s from the northwest. The water is 55.8 °F.
When is the best time to visit Arcata?
The best time to visit Arcata is from July to September: highs of 71 °F, barely 1 rainy day a month and 8 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: NOAA station Arcata Wharf (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).