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OF OUR SEA IS
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pollution
and offshore
development
are devastating the
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and wildlife!
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DIFFERENCE!
www.wildlifetrusts.org
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marine life.
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Tides
 The
causes of tidal movement are complicated and, though fascinating, are
not really important for our purposes. It is sufficient to know that the
gravitational pull of the moon is the driving force and that the sun has
a lesser effect, serving to moderate or enhance the effect of the moon,
depending on its relative position.
It is more important to understand the effects of tidal movement, and
how these relate to planning a visit to the shore.
Some important points:
-
-
The tidal range, (how high
the tide rises and how low it falls), changes from day to day,
and throughout the year
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Tide times are different each
day
- Tide times and ranges are predictable, which
makes life a lot easier*
The movement of the tides during
a day at Kimmeridge
To take maximum advantage of the tide it is best to consult tide tables.
For Kimmeridge you need tables for Portland, which give times and heights
of high and low waters, but note the following: the low water quoted in
the tables is the first of a double low - the second occurring some three
and a half hours later after a slight rise. At Kimmeridge, the second
low is usually lower that the first. Ignoring the intervening slight rise,
the overall effect is of an extended low water period of over four hours
- ideal for rockpooling. This effect is less noticeable on neap tides.
 Tide times for a future visit can
be requested from the Wardens by emailing the Marine
Centre. Alternatively, customised tidetables for the current year
are for sale on site for £1.50. Head for the black boat sheds adjacent to the slipway. In addition to the daily
tides, the booklets provide information on the Purbeck Marine WIldlife
Reserve, marine conservation, local information on activities including
snorkelling, diving and angling.
If tide tables are not available,
you can make use of the following information when planning a visit -
-
The best tides, the spring tides, occur at and just after the times of full and new moon.The
best spring tides are in Spring (March-May) and Autumn (August-October)
-
On the day of the full or
new moon, low water (1st low) at Kimmeridge will be around midday,
and will be 30-50min later for each of the next few days. In practice
this means that if you time your visit to coincide with the full
or new moon, the tide will generally be out for most of the afternoon.
Most diaries and calendars show phases of the moon.
* Because the tidal range at Kimmeridge
is so small, the weather can have significant effect – onshore winds
and low pressure can prevent the tide ebbing to its predicted level.
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