Cork Harbour tide times

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Model-derived from a global ocean grid. Useful indication; expect about ±45 minutes on average vs. a local harmonic gauge, individual stations vary widely. See /methodology for per-region detail. Not for navigation.

Conditions as of 05:00 local time. Refreshes daily.

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived. · Not for navigation.

The angler tradition for major/minor fishing windows: major ≈3-hour windows around moon transit and opposition; minor ≈2-hour windows around moonrise and moonset. Times are Europe/Dublin local. Folk tradition, not a scientific forecast.

Last spring tide on Thu 07 May (range 2.2m). Next spring tide on Wed 13 May (range 2.6m). Next neap on Sun 10 May.

Spring tides cluster around new and full moons (biggest swings). Neap tides land on quarter moons (smallest swings). See the spring tide and neap tide glossary entries for the why.

Cork Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world — a drowned river valley stretching 25 kilometres from the harbour mouth at Roches Point to the city quays. The tidal range is significant: mean range approximately 3.6 metres above Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT), with spring tides pushing to around 4.2 metres and neap tides falling back to 1.8 metres. Two high waters and two low waters occur each day, roughly 12 hours 25 minutes apart, with the flood running northeast from Roches Point and the ebb reversing southwest. Cobh (pronounced 'Cove'), on Great Island in the inner harbour, sits at the intersection of maritime history and active coastal life. The RMS Titanic's final port call was here on 11 April 1912; 123 passengers boarded by tender before the ship turned for open water. The town's steep Victorian terraces and cathedral spire are landmarks on the approach from seaward. At low water, the foreshore below the town drops away to exposed mudflat — a reminder of how much the harbour breathes with each tide. Tidal streams in the outer harbour entrance run at 1.0–1.5 knots on spring tides; inside the harbour proper, streams are gentler, typically under 0.5 knots. The harbour supports one of Ireland's busiest commercial ferry terminals (Ringaskiddy, for Brittany Ferries to Roscoff and Santander), a major container port, a cruise ship anchorage, and extensive leisure sailing from Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven — the oldest yacht club in the world, founded 1720. For sea anglers, the harbour and adjacent outer approaches hold bass, flounder, pollock, and wrasse through the season. Shore marks inside the harbour fish best on the first two hours of the flood. Kayakers use the inner harbour channels extensively; novice groups launch from Crosshaven and work the sheltered eastern shore. Swimmers favour Myrtleville Beach, just outside the harbour on the western shore, accessible at any state of tide. Open-Meteo Marine tide predictions displayed here carry an inherent uncertainty of approximately ±45 minutes on timing and ±0.2–0.3 metres on height. Marine Institute Ireland station data and the UKHO's Irish Sea and South Coast of Ireland charts (Admiralty chart SC5622) are the authoritative references for planning any passage or commercial operation in Cork Harbour.