🌗 Tides Explained

Most surf and estuary species feed hardest on moving water. Understanding the tide lets you be there at the right time.

The daily cycle: two high and two low tides roughly every 24 hours. The two hours either side of high tide fill the gutters and bring fish within range; many species also switch on at the top of the tide and again on the first of the ebb.

Spring vs neap tides: around new and full moon the tides are 'spring' — the biggest range, moving the most water, often firing up the fishing (but running hard and cutting off rock and sandbank access). Around the half moons the tides are 'neap' — smaller range, gentler movement, sometimes slow, sometimes ideal for finesse estuary work.

Species patterns: grunter feed on the pushing tide over the prawn banks; kob often prefer the top of the tide and the early ebb; galjoen fish the mid-to-high tide in the white water. Rock marks like Gericke's Point cut off on the push — plan your exit.

Every fishing spot and town page on this site shows live tide times so you can plan around them.