National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce
Higher than normal tides are forecasted for many coastal areas around the nation between July 20-24. Check our regional map for the outlook in your area.

NOAA's National Ocean Service

a King Tide in California

King Tide: If you live along the coast, you've probably heard this term. But do you know what it means?
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an estuary

DYK that 22 or the 35 largest cities on the planet are located on estuaries? Get more estuary research reserves fact here.

  • FAST FACTS
animation of tsunami striking a shoreline

Ocean Acidification: take ONE MINUTE out of your day to watch our new video about this global problem.

  • OCEAN TODAY
animation of tsunami striking a shoreline

Don't miss the new Ocean Today "Full Moon" video collection: Tsunami Survival Guide.

  • OCEAN TODAY
Annapolis, Maryland, pictured here in 2012, saw the greatest increase in nuisance flooding in a recent NOAA study. (Credit: With permission from Amy McGovern.)
SUMMER 2017
National High Tide Outlook

The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between June and August 2017.

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EARTH IS BLUE
New Online Magazine

Experience the beauty of your national marine sanctuaries with an awesome new online magazine. Sanctuaries are our nation's underwater parks. They're protected for good reason: in this online magazine, you'll find some of the best views and the most amazing wildlife in the country. These treasures make national marine sanctuaries some of the best places to have the adventure of a lifetime. Within their boundaries, you can surf, kayak, fish, dive, whale watch, and more.
debris on the beach
SUMMER BREAK Keep it Debris Free

Summer is a great time to get outside and spend some time with friends and family, but let’s make sure we’re enjoying the great outdoors responsibly. There are lots of ways to enjoy the summer season while still being kind to the earth. Remember to follow the “3Rs”—reduce, reuse, recycle—whenever possible and make responsible choices when you can. Enjoy the sun and warm weather and make sure you do it debris-free. View these tips to keep the summer break debris free.
Steve Thur
AA UPDATE
Advancing Coastal Science: Guest Post from Dr. Steve Thur

Our latest AA update is a guest post from Dr. Steve Thur, Acting Director of NOS's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science: "I'd like to share two recent developments from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). In June, we released a new five-year strategic science plan and officially completed an organizational realignment from five research Centers to an office with three divisions."

illustration of Rossby wave

Within the Earth's ocean & atmosphere, Rossby waves are caused by the rotation of the planet.

  • OCEAN LIFE
brain coral

Get to know brain corals, a slow-growing species which often forms the foundations for reefs.

  • OCEAN LIFE
ocean wave

What does our ocean have to do with human health? Quite a lot!

  • OCEAN AND HEALTH
recreational boating in St Thomas, USVI

Heading out on the water? View our handy resources for recreational boaters.

  • SAFE NAVIGATION
NOAA San Francisco Tide Station, in operation for more than 150 years

What tide is it? Take a tour of past, present, and future NOAA tide gauge tech.

  • OCEAN OBSERVATIONS
View of the Environmental Data Server (EDS), showing ocean observations available from the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System and a host of federal and non-federal partners.

U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System: Taking data further with standards.

  • OCEAN OBSERVATIONS