Where, When, and How to Experience the Mightiest Tides of the Pacific Northwest
If you really want to see nature show off, you’ve got to witness a king tide in Washington. These are the highest seasonal tides of the year — not storms, not tsunami scares, just supercharged gravity doing its thing when the sun, moon, and Earth line up just right. They’re a rare chance to watch the ocean surge higher than usual and get a glimpse of what rising seas might look like in the future.
When Are King Tides in Washington?
In Washington, king tides typically happen in late fall through winter, with the most dramatic pushes usually between November and January.
This year, the tide calendars showed clear clusters of peak events in:
Early November
Early December
Early January
On these dates, high tides can exceed normal levels by a few feet, especially in low-lying Puget Sound and coastal areas.
Top Spots to Watch King Tides
Washington has no shortage of dramatic coastal scenery, but if you want maximum “wow” with a side of camera-worthy splendor, here are standout locations worth your time:
Cape Disappointment State Park — The Classic Showstopper
This place is iconic for a reason. At the southwest tip of the state, where the Pacific meets the mouth of the Columbia River, tides can mix with big winter swells and put on a breathtaking display.
High vantage points like the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center or the overlook near the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse let you watch powerful waves pound the cliffs — without being in the splash zone.
Be warned: this spot gets busy on king tide weekends. Locals and visitors alike know it’s a killer photo op, so traffic and parking can be a thing. That said, if you time it right (early morning is golden), it’s a bucket-list experience.
Olympic National Park Beaches (Ruby Beach & Kalaloch)
On the Pacific Coast side, rugged beaches like Ruby Beach and the Kalaloch area offer wide-open views of the surge coming in. Their rocky shorelines and tide pools add texture and scale to those towering tides.
Puget Sound Shorelines (Westport, Seattle, Olympia)
Not just ocean beaches get awesome tides. In Puget Sound, places like Westport, Seattle’s waterfront, and Olympia can see tidal records shattered during peak events — sometimes inundating walkways and parks with salty water.
Best Apps and Tools to Track the Tides
To time your trip, you don’t want to guess when high tide hits. Thankfully, there are several apps that make it easy to know the exact timings:
Tide Alert (iOS/Android) — Uses NOAA tide predictions with moon phase info and lets you set alerts for high and low tides.
My Tide Times — Simple, reliable tide graphs and forecasts for thousands of stations around the US, great if you want a quick look at tide heights and times.
MyCoast App — The official Washington Sea Grant app for photographing and submitting king tide photos. It also timestamps and geolocates your shots, which helps scientists track how high water actually gets.
You can also always check the NOAA Tides & Currents website for official tide predictions if you prefer a non-app option.
King tides look majestic, but they’re not a gentle museum exhibit. Here’s how to enjoy them safely:
Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves — sudden, powerful waves — can show up unexpectedly, especially along the Pac Coast.
Stay behind guardrails and safe viewing zones. Rocks and sea cliffs can be slick, and tide-pounded surfaces are unpredictable.
Watch the weather. King tides often hit hardest when combined with storm swells. High winds and rain add another layer of risk.
Respect closures and warnings. If a section of beach or trail is closed for safety, there’s a reason for it.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re chasing big tides, dramatic ocean views, and a slightly wild slice of Washington nature, planning around the king tides is worth it. From Cape Disappointment’s epic far-off vantage points to the surprising reaches of king tides inside Puget Sound, this is one of those natural phenomena that lives up to the hype. Just bring layers, a tide-tracking app, and a healthy respect for the power of the sea.
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