Tamsui tide times

Mean tidal range at Tamsui is approximately 1.0 m — smaller than Keelung on the northeast coast because the Tamsui River reduces the effective tidal prism, and the Taiwan Strait tidal signal at this latitude is moderate. Spring tides push toward 1.3 m; neaps can bring the daily range below 0.6 m. The mixed semidiurnal character means the two daily highs are noticeably unequal in height, particularly on days when the diurnal inequality is large.

Fort San Domingo (Hobe Fort) is a series of fortifications on the hill above Tamsui's waterfront, with origins in Spanish construction from 1628 and the current red-brick structure dating from Dutch rebuilding in 1644. The British leased it as a consulate from 1868 to 1972; the Consular Residence and the fort complex are preserved and open to the public. An admission fee applies. The view from the fort wall across the Tamsui River mouth to the Taiwan Strait and Guanyinshan mountain in New Taipei is one of the better elevated coastal views in the region.

Year-round, though autumn and winter (October through February) tend to produce the clearest skies and most dramatic colours as the sun drops behind Guanyinshan mountain across the strait. The Fisherman's Wharf area north of the main pier and the Old Street waterfront facing west are the main viewing points. The sun sets over Guanyinshan from Tamsui's viewpoint at roughly 17:30 in winter and 19:00 in summer. Tidal state does not directly affect sunset quality, though a higher tide level increases the visual reflectance from the strait.

The lower Tamsui River is navigable for kayaks and small boats for roughly 15 km upstream from the river mouth. Tidal current reversal is the main navigation variable — at mid-tide on the flood, the current runs upstream at 0.5 to 1.0 knot; on the ebb, it reverses. Plan upstream legs on the flood and downstream return on the ebb for the least effort. Bank access and launch points are limited; the Tamsui ferry pier area and the riverbank parks further upstream are the practical entry points. No commercial rental operation currently runs on the lower river.

No prediction is guaranteed. Data on this page comes from Open-Meteo Marine modelling (typical accuracy ±45 minutes on timing, ±0.2–0.3 m on height) and is intended as planning guidance only. The Tamsui River mouth introduces additional variability from river discharge and the Taiwan Strait tidal signal, which the gridded ocean model captures at regional scale but not at the precision of a local gauge. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is the authoritative source for tidal predictions in Taiwan. Verify with CWA before any boat activity or navigation on the lower river. This site does not accept responsibility for decisions made based on these predictions.