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Tidal Predictions

Nova Scotia is renowned for having the highest tides in the world. In the Bay of Fundy the tidal range can exceed 50 feet (15 metres). However, around the Cape Breton coast the tidal range rarely exceeds 7 feet (2 metres).

• Tide and Current Tables

PDF icon Download and print or save Tide and Current Tables.
Alert symbolTimes in CHS tables are given in STANDARD Time only.
One hour must be added when DAYLIGHT Time is in effect.

Alert symbolAs of 1 January 2021, the Canadian Hydrographic Service discontinued printed versions of tide tables.

Weather conditions can cause differences (time and height) between the predicted and the observed tides. These differences are mainly the result of atmospheric pressure changes, and strong prolonged winds.

• Tidal Prediction Programs

JTides:

We are indebted to Paul Lutus for this free, excellent, easy–to–use, world–wide, tidal prediction program. It's available on this website and the app. It runs on MS‑Windows, Apple Mac, Linux, and other operating systems that have Java Runtime Environment installed. For more information visit JTides Home Page.
Times are given in DAYLIGHT Time, when in effect.
Mac, Linux, and other non-Windows OS users will need to download the JTides.jar file, which can also be used by Windows users.

On clicking the links below, you will be asked, "Would you like to save this file?" [JTides.exe or JTides.jar]. Click 'Save File'. The file will normally be downloaded to your 'Downloads' directory.
JTides.exe (1.3 MB) or JTides.jar (1.2 MB) [Version 5.3, build 368 (2016-11-18)]

For JTides.exe, locate the file and double-click on it to run it. Follow the instructions. This operation will install the program on your computer. Once installed simply double-click on the JTides.jar file where you installed it—better still, create a short-cut to it for use on your computer's desktop.

TidePredictor:

The author of JTides, Paul Lutus, has a version of his tidal prediction program for Android devices. It can be downloaded free from the Google Play Store. More information can be found here: TidePredictor Home Page

• "Tides" & Currents on the Lakes

Tides:

Because the Lakes are vast (450 sq-miles) and the entrances narrow, the twice-daily tides which affect our coastal waters have little effect on the water levels on the lake. However, strong prolonged winds, extended periods of high or low pressure, and heavy rains will affect the water level significantly. Expect variations in water level of up to a foot (30 cm).

Currents:

Buoy Q8
Ebb tide rushes past buoy Q8 in Great Bras d'Or Narrows.
Photo —Ken Heaton

Strong currents will be experienced in the Great Bras d'Or Narrows and the Little Bras d'Or inlet. These currents are predictable and published in the Tide Tables. However, for the reasons noted above, the time of slack water in the narrows may occur earlier or later than predicted by half-an-hour or more, and this should be borne in mind when timing a passage through these channels, especially for slower craft.

Grand Narrows and Little Narrows are also subject to significant currents. The Lakes are a major drainage basin, so there is a net flow of water towards the sea. Also, there are "ebb and flood" currents, but there seems to be no predicting these as they are mainly due to fluctuations in water levels which have little relation to the ocean tides. Caution is advised when passing the bridges at Grand Narrows as the navigation channel is narrow and subject to eddies. The only hazard at Little Narrows is the ferry: caution is needed to avoid being swept into it while awaiting passage.

Updated: 2023-03-15