Spring tide schedule and tidal coefficients
Spring tides at Royan in New Aquitaine are among the most impressive natural phenomena on the coast. When the tidal coefficient exceeds 90, the sea retreats much further than usual at low tide, then surges back with considerable force at high tide, amplifying the 4.5m average tidal range.
These exceptional tides follow a predictable cycle tied to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Our spring tide calendar for Royan lets you plan ahead — whether for shore fishing, coastal walks, or simply watching the spectacle. Always prioritise safety during these powerful tidal events.
Click on a date in the calendar to see detailed tide times.
Until the end of 2027, Royan will see 18 more spring tide periods, 76 days in all with a coefficient of 90 or more. The strongest: Thursday 2 September 2027, coefficient 113, with high water at 19:06 (5.90 m) and low water at 12:48 (0.92 m).
| Period | Max coef. | Highest high water | Lowest daylight low water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 25 Oct – Thu 29 Oct | 98 | 5.69 m Tue 27 Oct, 05:06 | 1.32 m Tue 27 Oct, 11:19 |
| Tue 24 Nov – Fri 27 Nov | 97 | 5.71 m Thu 26 Nov, 05:35 | 1.34 m Thu 26 Nov, 11:51 |
| Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec | 102 | 5.75 m Sat 26 Dec, 06:27 | 1.18 m Sat 26 Dec, 12:34 |
| 2027 | |||
| Fri 22 Jan – Tue 26 Jan | 109 | 5.87 m Sun 24 Jan, 06:16 | 0.96 m Sun 24 Jan, 12:19 |
| Sat 20 Feb – Thu 25 Feb | 112 | 5.89 m Mon 22 Feb, 05:54 | 0.88 m Mon 22 Feb, 11:57 |
| Tue 9 Mar – Thu 11 Mar | 94 | 5.45 m Wed 10 Mar, 06:02 | 1.31 m Wed 10 Mar, 12:19 |
| Sun 21 Mar – Thu 25 Mar | 108 | 5.76 m Mon 22 Mar, 04:50 | 1.01 m Tue 23 Mar, 11:30 |
| Wed 7 Apr – Fri 9 Apr | 95 | 5.47 m Thu 8 Apr, 06:34 | 1.32 m Thu 8 Apr, 12:51 |
| Mon 19 Apr – Thu 22 Apr | 97 | 5.54 m Tue 20 Apr, 05:25 | 1.25 m Tue 20 Apr, 11:24 |
| Thu 6 May – Sat 8 May | 94 | 5.51 m Fri 7 May, 18:30 | 1.40 m Fri 7 May, 12:25 |
| Sat 5 Jun – Mon 7 Jun | 95 | 5.55 m Sun 6 Jun, 19:06 | 1.42 m Sun 6 Jun, 12:52 |
| Sun 4 Jul – Thu 8 Jul | 103 | 5.69 m Tue 6 Jul, 19:52 | 1.22 m Tue 6 Jul, 13:29 |
| Mon 2 Aug – Fri 6 Aug | 111 | 5.84 m Tue 3 Aug, 18:47 | 1.00 m Wed 4 Aug, 13:11 |
| Mon 30 Aug – Sat 4 Sep | 113 | 5.94 m Wed 1 Sep, 18:26 | 0.92 m Thu 2 Sep, 12:48 |
| Tue 28 Sep – Sun 3 Oct | 109 | 5.91 m Thu 30 Sep, 18:01 | 1.04 m Fri 1 Oct, 12:24 |
| Sun 17 Oct | 90 | 5.45 m Sun 17 Oct, 06:29 | 1.53 m Sun 17 Oct, 12:46 |
| Thu 28 Oct – Sun 31 Oct | 98 | 5.70 m Thu 28 Oct, 17:00 | 1.29 m Fri 29 Oct, 11:21 |
| Wed 15 Dec – Fri 17 Dec | 94 | 5.65 m Wed 15 Dec, 05:42 | 1.35 m Thu 16 Dec, 12:44 |
The lowest daylight low waters, the best for shore fishing: Sun 21 Feb at 11:16 (0.94 m), Mon 22 Feb at 11:57 (0.88 m), Thu 2 Sep at 12:48 (0.92 m).
At Royan, the difference between high and low water reaches 5.04 m during the strongest tides before the end of 2027, against about 1.43 m at neap tides.
Times and heights computed by MaréeFrance for Royan (TICON-4 harmonic constants), in French local time. Coefficients computed for the reference port of Brest.
A spring tide occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned (at new moon and full moon), combining their gravitational forces. This alignment amplifies the tidal range: high tides are higher and low tides are lower than normal. A spring tide is defined by a tidal coefficient of 90 or above (on a scale of 20 to 120). The strongest spring tides, with coefficients above 100, occur during the equinoxes in March and September.
The tidal coefficient indicates the strength of a tide on a scale from 20 to 120. It is calculated by the French Hydrographic Service (SHOM) and determines the expected tidal range for each day:
Spring tides at Royan demand heightened vigilance. The larger tidal range means faster-moving water and stronger currents. Follow these safety rules:
