Sanibel tides today
- Tide now 3.4 ft ↑ rising · high 1:20 am (3.6 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 9:30–11:30 am average day · 5/10
- Beach tomorrow 3:00–6:00 pm Good beach day · 8/10
- Waves · water 1.7 ft · 77 °F slight · 3.2 s from the north-northeast
- Wind · air 17 mph · 76 °F from the NE, gusts 26 · clear
- Sun 7:35 am–6:49 pm 11 h 14 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 8:51 pm waning gibbous · rises at 8:51 pm
- Diving tomorrow 10:00–11:00 am great day · 10/10
- Small Craft Advisory: winds or seas hazardous to small boats. Until 8:00 am tomorrow. NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Today in Sanibel there is high tide at 12:40 am (3.6 ft) and low tide at 9:29 am. Tide coefficient 85. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 1:20 am. The sun rises at 7:35 am and sets at 6:49 pm: 11 h 14 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 8:51 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:04 am to 4:04 am and from 2:36 pm to 4:36 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 1.7 ft waves. There's a moderate breeze from the northeast (17 mph). Clear, 76 °F.
Fishing in Sanibel today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 9:29 am
- Minor period 9:49–10:49 am (moonset)
- Steady pressure (29.97 inHg), fresh offshore wind (18 mph) and some swell (2.4 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 85 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 9:50 am to 10:30 am, combines the 9:29 am low tide, moonset and some swell, though with fresh wind. Also good from 2:40 pm to 4:40 pm, with a major period and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: sheepshead, striped mullet, lane snapper and gray snapper. October is one of the months when these are seen most: striped mullet and common snook. What you can catch
Beach day in Sanibel
Is it a beach day?
5 good hoursRip current risk today: moderate · tomorrow: low (NWS)
Dangerous rip currents are possible: swim only near a lifeguard and follow the flags. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore.
- Sunny
- Feels like 85 °F: beach weather
- UV 6 (high): SPF 50 sunscreen
- Water at 77 °F (warm)
- Moderate offshore wind (16 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Calm for swimming: 2.3 ft waves; moderate rip current risk (NWS)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 2.3 ft
2.3 ft waves: calm for swimming. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 77 °F
Warm: very pleasant.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 6 · SPF 50
Max UV 6 (high): SPF 50 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 22 mph
Fresh offshore wind (22 mph): blowing sand. Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 9:29 am
Low tide at 9:29 am: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 12:40 am.
The best window, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, brings sunshine, beach weather and water at 77 °F, though with moderate offshore wind.
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 Sanibel
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Dixie Beach 0.5 mi · NW
- Parking
- West Bunche Beach 3.4 mi · NE
- Bunche Beach 3.9 mi · NE
- Parking
- Calusa Point 5.5 mi · NW
Water quality: check the official beach advisories for Florida (Florida Healthy Beaches Program).
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 Sanibel
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Sanibel
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 12:40 am 3.6 ft · coef. 85
- ▼ Low tide 9:29 am -0.2 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 1 h 27 min to high tide at 1:20 am.
Tide coefficient 85 for the 12:40 am high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 3.8 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 June 15 (3.7 ft) and the lowest, on January 2 (-1.2 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 8 to 10 (coefficient 94, 2.1 ft range). The smallest, on October 18 (coefficient 38, 2.3 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 | 7:35 am · 6:49 pm | High tide 12:40 am · 3.6 ft | Low tide 9:29 am · -0.2 ft | — | — | Coef. 85 | 91% | Major periods 2:04 am · 2:36 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:35 am · 6:48 pm | High tide 1:20 am · 3.6 ft | Low tide 10:27 am · -0.2 ft | — | — | Coef. 76 | 84% | Major periods 3:08 am · 3:40 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:36 am · 6:47 pm | High tide 2:08 am · 3.5 ft | Low tide 11:31 am · -0.1 ft | — | — | Coef. 66 | 74% | Major periods 4:13 am · 4:44 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:37 am · 6:46 pm | High tide 3:08 am · 3.3 ft | Low tide 12:41 pm · 0.0 ft | — | — | Coef. 56 | 63% | Major periods 5:15 am · 5:44 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:37 am · 5:46 pm | High tide 3:26 am · 3.0 ft | Low tide 12:51 pm · 0.2 ft | High tide 8:41 pm · 2.0 ft | Low tide 11:51 pm · 1.9 ft | Coef. 51 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:13 am · 5:40 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:38 am · 5:45 pm | High tide 5:03 am · 2.7 ft | Low tide 1:55 pm · 0.4 ft | High tide 8:41 pm · 2.1 ft | — | Coef. 59 | 41% | Major periods 6:05 am · 6:30 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:39 am · 5:44 pm | Low tide 1:44 am · 1.6 ft | High tide 6:55 am · 2.5 ft | Low tide 2:46 pm · 0.6 ft | High tide 8:57 pm · 2.3 ft | Coef. 69 | 30% | Major periods 6:54 am · 7:17 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 Point Ybel station (NOAA), 0.4 mi from Sanibel. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the St. Petersburg reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Sanibel
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.9 ft
- Significant1.7 ft
- Highest expectedHighest3.6 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 3.6 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 3.6 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces south 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 Wednesday 28: 2.6 ft with a period of 4 s, from the north (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water warms over the next few days: about 79.5 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water colder than normal for late October (−1.6 °F).
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 11:53 pm (local time).
Nearest marine station
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station FMRF1, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Sanibel today
Surf today
Flat- Barely any waves (0.6 ft sets): flat
- Moderate offshore wind (14 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 1:20 am)
It’s flat today: almost no waves reach this coast.
Rip current risk today: moderate · tomorrow: low (NWS)
Dangerous rip currents are possible: swim only near a lifeguard and follow the flags. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore.
Surf height from the NWS, today: up to 1.0 ft
- Light: First light 7:11 am · sunrise 7:35 am · sunset 6:49 pm · last light 7:12 pm
- Tide: high 12:40 am (3.6 ft) and low 9:29 am (-0.2 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 76.8 °F: boardshorts or a swimsuit and a rash guard.
- Energy: 7 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 1:00 pm to 5:00 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.
Diving in Sanibel today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- 0.9 ft swell at 4 s from the north-northwest: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (12 mph)
- 0.3 mph current toward the west, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 12:40 am (12:25–1:00 am) and low tide 9:29 am (9:14–9:44 am)
- Likely visibility: good. Wind over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 76.8 °F: a 3 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 7:12 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 8:51 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, combines little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high. Also worth a look from 5:30 pm to 6:50 pm, with little swell and light wind, though with 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
- Wreck 4.5 mi
- Wreck 11 mi
- Sanibel Reef 3.0 mi
- Causeway Reef #27 3.4 mi
- Big Carlos Bridge 6.0 mi
- M.A.Y. Reef 7.8 mi
- May Reef 8.3 mi
- G-H Reef 8.4 mi
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge 5.9 mi
- Flicker Marine 8.0 mi
- Island Coast Excursions Inc. 10.0 mi
- Scubavice Diving Center 10 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). US wrecks: NOAA electronic navigational charts (ENC), a U.S. Government work; not for navigation. Florida reefs: FWC-FWRI and FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
Weather in Sanibel
Now in Sanibel
- Low / high
- 74 / 79 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 19%
- Clouds
- 17%
- Humidity
- 88%
- Dew pointDew point
- 72 °F
- Visibility
- 9.3 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 28
- 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 (−0.01 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.07 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 | Mainly clear | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Mainly clear | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Mainly clear |
| Temperature | 74° | 75° | 75° | 74° | 77° | 79° | 79° | 77° |
| Wind (mph) | 21 NNE | 22 NNE | 20 NNE | 20 NNE | 22 NE | 12 NE | 12 NNE | 17 NNE |
| Gusts | 33 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 19 | 18 | 26 |
| Waves | 2.3 ft | 2.5 ft | 2.2 ft | 2.3 ft | 2.4 ft | 2.1 ft | 1.9 ft | 1.9 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 |
- 12:00 am 76° 17 NE 1.7 ft
- 3:00 am 75° 15 NE 1.4 ft
- 6:00 am 75° 13 NE 1.3 ft
- 9:00 am 76° 13 NE 1.2 ft
- 12:00 pm 78° 4 ENE 1.2 ft
- 3:00 pm 78° 8 SW 1.0 ft
- 6:00 pm 83° 12 NNE 1.1 ft
- 9:00 pm 80° 15 NE 1.3 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 74 / 79 °F | 22 mph NNE | 2.6 ft | 12:40 am | |
| Thu 29 | 75 / 83 °F | 17 mph NE | 1.7 ft | 1:20 am | |
| Fri 30 | 74 / 85 °F | 16 mph NE | 1.4 ft | 2:08 am | |
| Sat 31 | 75 / 84 °F | 17 mph ENE | 1.2 ft | 3:08 am | |
| Sun 1 | 74 / 82 °F | 16 mph ENE | 1.2 ft | 3:26 am · 8:41 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 73 / 81 °F | 14 mph NE | 1.4 ft | 5:03 am · 8:41 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 71 / 82 °F | 12 mph NNE | 1.1 ft | 6:55 am · 8:57 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 72 / 81 °F | 10 mph ENE | 0.9 ft | 8:35 am · 9:14 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 73 / 81 °F | 11 mph SSW | 2.2 ft | 9:50 am · 9:31 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 71 / 80 °F | 11 mph WNW | 4.4 ft | 10:52 am · 9:48 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 68 / 79 °F | 11 mph N | 1.0 ft | 11:48 am · 10:06 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 66 / 79 °F | 12 mph N | 0.9 ft | 12:42 pm · 10:27 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 59 / 76 °F | 6 mph N | 0.8 ft | 1:38 pm · 10:51 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 60 / 78 °F | 6 mph NNW | 0.7 ft | 11:18 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 75° / 83° 1.7 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 74° / 85° 1.4 ft
- Sat 31 Drizzle 75° / 84° 1.2 ft
- Sun 1 Light showers 74° / 82° 1.2 ft
- Mon 2 Rain 73° / 81° 1.4 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 71° / 82° 1.1 ft
- Wed 4 Mainly clear 72° / 81° 0.9 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 (−4.6 °F; normal high: 83 °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 11:53 pm (local time).
The sun in Sanibel
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:44 am
- Full dark 7:39 pm
- Civil dawn 7:11 am
- Civil dusk 7:12 pm
- Solar noon 1:12 pm (50° high)
- Daylight 11 h 14 min (−1 min)
- Evening golden hour 6:17 pm
- Full dark 7:39 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,297 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Sanibel
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 2:04–4:04 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:36–4:36 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:49–10:49 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 8:21–9:21 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 · 3:29 pmNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 6:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 9:54 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 Sanibel
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Sanibel Fishing Pier 0.6 mi
- Mantanzas Pass Fishing Pier 4.3 mi
- Cape Coral Fishing Pier 7.8 mi
- Jetty 2.6 mi
- Sanibel Island Public Boat Ramp Facilities: 2 lanes · 42 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · lighting · fee 0.9 mi
- Punta Rassa Boat Ramp Facilities: 4 lanes · 93 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · lighting · fee 2.6 mi
- Kayak Launch 3.9 mi
- Marina 2.8 mi
- Marina 3.5 mi
- Bait Box 1.2 mi
- Whitney's Bait and Tackle 2.1 mi
- Fuel dock 6.4 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. Boat ramp facilities: FWC-FWRI (Florida).
Water depth
Very shallowVery shallow and flat: 3.1 mi from shore the water is still only about 21 ft deep.
From the shoreline (1,300 ft from Sanibel) out to sea, heading south.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep1.4 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. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 1.4 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3.1 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther out.
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.
Nearest lighthouse
Sanibel Island Light 0.6 mi northeast
- Light
- 2 white flashes every 6 s · Fl(2) W 6s
- Range
- 13 nautical miles (15 mi)
- Light height
- 102 ft above sea level
- Tower height
- 98 ft
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near SanibelTides nearby
- Punta Rassa2.8 mi
- Fort Myers Beach4.5 mi
- Saint James City4.8 mi
- Iona6.1 mi
- Harlem Heights7.5 mi
- Cape Coral9.1 mi
- Cypress Lake9.8 mi
- Blind Pass9.8 mi
- McGregor10 mi
- Captiva11 mi
Sanibel at a glance
- Town or city of about 7,236 people. Coordinates: 26.449° N, 82.022° W.
- It is 123 mi northwest of Miami, the main place in Florida. The sun rises 8 min later and sets 7 min later than in Miami.
- The nearest tide station, Point Ybel, is 0.4 mi to the east.
- Its coast faces south.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Dixie Beach (0.5 mi), Bunche Beach (3.9 mi).
Questions about SanibelQuestions
What time is high tide today in Sanibel?
Today in Sanibel there is high tide at 12:40 am (3.6 ft) and low tide at 9:29 am. Tide coefficient 85.
What time is sunset today in Sanibel?
At 6:49 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 7:12 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Sanibel?
At 7:35 am. First light comes at 6:44 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 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 2:04–4:04 am, Minor 9:49–10:49 am, Major 2:36–4:36 pm, Minor 8:21–9:21 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Sanibel?
Light drizzle, from 74 °F to 79 °F, with a moderate breeze from the northeast (17 mph) and a 19% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Sanibel?
Slight (Douglas 3): 1.7 ft waves with a period of 3.2 s from the north-northeast. The water is 77.4 °F.
When is the best time to visit Sanibel?
The best time to visit Sanibel is from November to April: highs of 72 °F to 82 °F, about 6 rainy days a month and 7 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 Point Ybel (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).