Simple Tides / Guides / Pacific Northwest Tides: Oregon and Washington

Pacific Northwest Tides: Oregon and Washington

The Pacific Northwest sees some of the largest, most consequential tides on the West Coast, with strong currents that matter for everything from crabbing to diving to basic beach safety.

A big, mixed semidiurnal pattern

Expect a mixed semidiurnal tide with a range that grows the further into Puget Sound you go — the open Oregon and Washington coast typically sees 6–8 feet, while parts of southern Puget Sound can see 10–12 feet or more, driven by the same funneling effect that shapes big-range coastlines elsewhere.

Strong currents through the inland waters

The Strait of Juan de Fuca and the passages through the San Juan Islands see genuinely strong tidal currents, which matters enormously for kayaking, scuba diving, and small-boat handling — slack water timing is often the difference between an easy paddle or dive and a genuinely difficult one.

Sneaker wave country

The Oregon and Washington coast is the part of the U.S. most associated with sneaker waves, especially on rocky headlands and jetties during the fall and winter storm season. This risk exists regardless of tide stage and deserves real caution.

What the region is known for

Dungeness crab is the signature catch here, with a whole crabbing culture built around the region's tidal flats and bays, alongside strong razor clamming traditions on the outer coast and excellent rocky-shore tide pooling.

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