Get ready for a tidal rollercoaster – Greater Victoria is about to see its lowest tide of the year, followed by some of its highest, all in a matter of hours.
The tides around the region are set to swing dramatically at the end of May, driven by a rare and powerful alignment of lunar and solar forces.
According to the Canadian Hydrographic Service, water levels are expected to dip to –0.22 metres at 10:46 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 – the lowest of 2025. A day earlier, on Tuesday, May 27, tides will fall to –0.19 metres at 10 a.m.
In sharp contrast, high tides will peak at 2.99 metres earlier Wednesday at (May 28) 2:01 a.m. and 2.93 metres in the early hours of Thursday (May 29).
“These extreme tides are the result of several astronomical factors combining at once,” said Denny Sinnott, supervisor of tides, currents and water levels with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. “We’ll see a New Moon on May 26, which means the sun, moon, and Earth will be in near-perfect alignment.”
This alignment creates what’s known as a spring tide – a term that refers to the tide “springing forth,” not the season. These tides occur twice a month and bring slightly higher highs and lower lows than usual. But in this case, the spring tide’s effects are intensified.
“The moon will also be in perigee – the closest point in its elliptical orbit around the Earth – on May 25,” Sinnott said. “When the moon is closer, its gravitational pull on the ocean is stronger. Combining that with the New Moon alignment increases the pull even more.”
Adding to the mix, the moon will reach its farthest point north of the equator on May 28. This positioning further enhances the gravitational effect over Victoria’s coastal waters. Sinnott noted that the combination of all three events – perigee, New Moon, and the moon’s northernmost point – creates an unusually large tidal range.
“There can be a day or so lag in the tide’s response to these astronomical conditions, which is why the extremes appear around May 27 to 29,” he explained.
For shoreline visitors, this rare tidal event offers an excellent chance to explore tide pools and marine life typically hidden underwater. But Sinnott cautioned that these wide-ranging tides can also generate stronger-than-normal currents.
“It’s a great time to poke around the shoreline, but always be aware of your surroundings,” he said.
The Canadian Hydrographic Service publishes tide tables and real-time data to help mariners, beachgoers, and coastal residents plan ahead. With such significant shifts expected, checking tide charts is more important than ever.
