King Tides to Bring the Highest Water Levels of the Year to the North Coast

Grab your waterproof boots and your camera — the king tides are rolling into Northern California’s coast this Thursday and Friday, bringing some of the highest water levels of the year.

These super-high tides happen when the Earth, Moon, and Sun line up during a new or full moon, creating an extra-strong gravitational pull. This week’s tides are expected to peak above 9.85 feet in some North Coast locations — around 1.5 feet higher than a typical high tide — and may cause flooding in low-lying areas around Humboldt Bay. Elevated tides will linger into Saturday morning.

The king tides aren’t just a cool natural phenomenon — they’re also an important preview of what rising sea levels could look like in the coming decades. That’s why the California Coastal Commission is again asking the public to photograph the event and help document coastal flooding. These photos help scientists and local officials understand how vulnerable certain areas are as ocean levels continue to rise.

If you want to join the effort, head to a safe vantage point during peak high tide (usually within 30 minutes of the exact time), keep your location services on, and include landmarks like piers, bluffs, or seawalls in your shot.

King Tides Project dates for Northern California continue on December 4–5 and again on January 2–3, 2026. Just remember: high tides mean unpredictable conditions. Stay safe, keep your distance, and never turn your back on the ocean.