Spring tide schedule and tidal coefficients
Spring tides at Waben in Northern France 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 4m 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 Waben 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, Waben 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 14:02 (8.79 m) and low water at 07:38 (4.79 m).
| Period | Max coef. | Highest high water | Lowest daylight low water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 25 Oct – Thu 29 Oct | 98 | 8.63 m Wed 28 Oct, 13:22 | 4.79 m Sun 25 Oct, 17:25 |
| Tue 24 Nov – Fri 27 Nov | 97 | 8.46 m Thu 26 Nov, 13:04 | 4.82 m Tue 24 Nov, 17:30 |
| Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec | 102 | 8.39 m Sat 26 Dec, 13:40 | 4.84 m Thu 24 Dec, 18:10 |
| 2027 | |||
| Fri 22 Jan – Tue 26 Jan | 109 | 8.59 m Sun 24 Jan, 13:26 | 4.83 m Fri 22 Jan, 18:00 |
| Sat 20 Feb – Thu 25 Feb | 112 | 8.77 m Tue 23 Feb, 13:47 | 4.81 m Sat 20 Feb, 17:39 |
| Tue 9 Mar – Thu 11 Mar | 94 | 8.40 m Thu 11 Mar, 01:51 | 4.82 m Thu 11 Mar, 19:41 |
| Sun 21 Mar – Thu 25 Mar | 108 | 8.71 m Wed 24 Mar, 01:00 | 4.22 m Mon 22 Mar, 08:45 |
| Wed 7 Apr – Fri 9 Apr | 95 | 8.51 m Fri 9 Apr, 02:24 | 4.87 m Wed 7 Apr, 07:20 |
| Mon 19 Apr – Thu 22 Apr | 97 | 8.36 m Thu 22 Apr, 01:34 | 4.75 m Mon 19 Apr, 17:50 |
| Thu 6 May – Sat 8 May | 94 | 8.38 m Sat 8 May, 02:01 | 4.84 m Thu 6 May, 18:57 |
| Sat 5 Jun – Mon 7 Jun | 95 | 8.20 m Mon 7 Jun, 02:30 | 4.82 m Sun 6 Jun, 07:39 |
| Sun 4 Jul – Thu 8 Jul | 103 | 8.32 m Wed 7 Jul, 03:05 | 4.79 m Sun 4 Jul, 19:15 |
| Mon 2 Aug – Fri 6 Aug | 111 | 8.65 m Thu 5 Aug, 02:46 | 4.75 m Mon 2 Aug, 18:59 |
| Mon 30 Aug – Sat 4 Sep | 113 | 8.84 m Fri 3 Sep, 02:24 | 4.68 m Mon 30 Aug, 17:53 |
| Tue 28 Sep – Sun 3 Oct | 109 | 8.76 m Fri 1 Oct, 13:37 | 4.68 m Tue 28 Sep, 17:31 |
| Sun 17 Oct | 90 | 8.33 m Sun 17 Oct, 14:03 | 4.82 m Sun 17 Oct, 07:36 |
| Thu 28 Oct – Sun 31 Oct | 98 | 8.44 m Sat 30 Oct, 13:12 | 4.75 m Thu 28 Oct, 17:51 |
| Wed 15 Dec – Fri 17 Dec | 94 | 8.29 m Thu 16 Dec, 13:55 | 4.87 m Wed 15 Dec, 19:06 |
The lowest daylight low waters, the best for shore fishing: Mon 22 Mar at 08:45 (4.22 m), Tue 23 Mar at 09:28 (4.28 m), Mon 30 Aug at 17:53 (4.68 m).
At Waben, the difference between high and low water reaches 4.38 m during the strongest tides before the end of 2027, against about 0.79 m at neap tides.
Times and heights computed by MaréeFrance for Waben from the harmonic constants of the Etaples Vigicrues tide gauge, 14 km away (TICON-4), 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 Waben demand heightened vigilance. The larger tidal range means faster-moving water and stronger currents. Follow these safety rules:
