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How Do I Sense the Tide Is Rising?

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. The pull on the water in different directions makes the water rise and fall at shorelines. All oceans and some large lakes experience tides. You can plan for high or low tides by using a tide table, but if you are on the beach, observe your environment to see whether the tide is rising or falling. In some places such as causeways, a rising tide can leave you stranded and cut off your means of returning to land. In these situations, it is useful to be able to sense when the tide is rising.

Instructions

Various Methods
- 1
  Stand near the shoreline for a few minutes in the same place. You will notice whether the sea seems to be coming toward you or going further away. If the water seems to be getting closer, or your feet are getting wetter, then the tide is rising.
- 2
  Look for a line of debris on the sand. If the beach is 100 feet wide and there is a line of shells, foam, seaweed or other debris, this means that the tide is going out (falling). If you can't see that line of debris, then the tide is rising.
- 3
  Observe a rock or other object that is sticking out of the water. Look at the object every now and then. If the rock or other object is getting covered with water and harder to see, then the tide is rising.
- 4
  Put a stick in the sand. You can notice how wet it gets after the tide comes in and out a few times. If the stick is getting wetter and harder to see, then the tide is rising.
- 5
  Notice any wading birds on the beach or estuary. Birds tend to forage for food at low tide. They will wait patiently for the tide to change so they can start looking for small crustaceans and insects in the sand. If the birds are leaving, it is because the water is getting deeper, making it harder for them to find food.
- 6
  Learn about riptides. These can be dangerous for swimmers and surfers. Riptides occur when channels of water are forced out through the wave line to the sea. This happens because water rushing into shore forces a channel back to sea. At a high tide, there is more water heading to the shore, so there are more riptides. If you are out at sea, riptides are a sign that the tide is rising.

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