Livorno tide times

The mean tidal range at Livorno is approximately 0.3 m above Lowest Astronomical Tide — extremely small by Atlantic or North Sea standards. Ferry services to Elba, Capraia, and Sardinia operate on fixed schedules dictated by sea state and commercial timetables, not tidal state. The astronomical tide alone does not affect berth availability or vessel manoeuvring in Livorno's deep commercial port. However, meteorological surges driven by libeccio winds can temporarily raise sea level by an additional 0.2–0.5 m and are monitored by ISPRA and the Capitaneria di Porto.

The Venezia Nuova district's lowest canal-side quays sit only marginally above mean sea level. Astronomical high tide alone — roughly 0.15 m above mean — is not enough to cause flooding. The risk comes from combined events: high astronomical tide coinciding with a libeccio surge (barometric low plus south-westerly wind), which can add 0.2–0.5 m and briefly inundate the lowest stone walkways. These events are rare but not unusual in autumn and winter. ISPRA's Rete Mareografica Nazionale publishes real-time sea level for the Livorno gauge.

The microtidal range (around 0.3 m) means tidal currents in Livorno's near-shore waters are negligible — typically under 0.2 knots at harbour entrances and effectively zero along open coast stretches. Paddle-planning at Livorno revolves around wind and sea state, not tidal windows. The Venezia Nuova canals are a sheltered flat-water option regardless of tidal stage. Libeccio swells from the south-west are the main hazard for coastal routes toward the Calafuria cliffs to the south; check forecast swell height and wind direction before committing to an exposed stretch.

Livorno's offshore reefs and wrecks sit in near-tidal-dead-water: tidal current contributions are so small (well under 0.3 knots even at peak) that there is no meaningful slack-water window to time. Dive planning here is governed by visibility (worst after winter storms or when the Arno and Serchio rivers flood with sediment), surface swell, and thermocline depth. Summer mornings before the sea breeze fills in typically offer the best flat-water conditions. ISPRA's water quality and sea temperature data supplement local dive-operator briefings.

Tide predictions on this page are generated by Open-Meteo Marine, a free meteorological and oceanographic modelling service. Accuracy is approximately ±45 minutes on predicted tide times and ±0.2–0.3 m on predicted heights under normal conditions. These predictions do not account for surge events driven by wind or barometric pressure, which at Livorno can be larger than the astronomical tide itself. For navigation, commercial port operations, or any safety-critical decision, use ISPRA Rete Mareografica Nazionale real-time gauge data and official Notices to Mariners from the Capitaneria di Porto di Livorno. This page is an orientation tool, not a substitute for official hydrographic publications.