Tide ignorance …

Question

I was trying to find areas/times for seeing tide pools at the end of April and I’m confused as to why they say April isn’t a good time? I see the low tide prediction is 3-4am (not a good time lol) but I thought about 12.5 hours later it was another low tide and 3-4pm doesn’t sound too bad. Am I missing something, because I feel like I am? Thank you !

Answer

The confusion about tide pooling in San Diego in April is understandable. Tide pool accessibility depends on both the timing of low tide and the height of the tide itself, not just the general concept of "low tide."

Understanding Tide Times:

Tides occur roughly every 12 hours and 25 minutes, so you are correct that if a low tide is at 3–4 am, the next low tide would be around 3–4 pm.
However, not all low tides are equal. The tidal range in late April may result in “higher” low tides, meaning that the water doesn’t recede enough to expose the tide pools adequately for exploration.
Spring and neap tides affect this: April may coincide with neap tides where the difference between high and low is smaller, leaving tide pools shallow or submerged during the daytime low tide.

Other Factors Affecting Tide Pooling in April:

The early morning low tides (like 3–4 am) are ideal because they are often the lowest of the month, exposing more tide pools.
The afternoon low tides may be higher, so some of the interesting tide pools may still be underwater or partially covered.
Weather and swell can affect accessibility: storms or strong waves can temporarily cover or damage tide pools even if the tide is low.
Some guides suggest visiting tide pools in summer or winter for the most consistently low daytime tides that coincide with convenient hours.

Tips for Tide Pool Exploration:

Check detailed tide charts for the specific beach you plan to visit, looking for the lowest daytime low tides.
If your goal is afternoon low tides around 3–4 pm, look for days when those tides are particularly low—often near spring tides (new or full moon).
Arrive early before the low tide to see the most exposed areas.
Wear sturdy shoes and be cautious of slippery rocks and sudden waves.

In summary, the issue isn’t that low tides don’t exist in April, but rather that the afternoon low tides may not be low enough to fully expose the tide pools. Checking precise tidal charts for spring and neap tide cycles is key to planning a successful tide pooling visit.