Tide pooling in Maryland: best low tides
The best tide pool days are low tides that are among a spot's lowest of the year and fall in daylight. In Maryland they come mostly in December to February. The next stretch of tide pool lows across the state is Nov 26–27. Dates, times and heights below come from NOAA predictions for 99 spots, worked out for the next 12 months.
Tide pools in every state · Maryland king tides
Tide pool season in Maryland
Average number of good tide pool days per spot, month by month:
Best tide pool days statewide
| Dates | Best day | Spots with a good low that day |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 26–27 | Thu Nov 26 | 30 of 99 spots |
| Dec 22–28 | Sat Dec 26 | 85 of 99 spots |
| Jan 5–11 | Sat Jan 9 | 52 of 99 spots |
| Jan 20–27 | Mon Jan 25 | 85 of 99 spots |
| Feb 3–8 | Mon Feb 8 | 76 of 99 spots |
| Feb 18–24 | Mon Feb 22 | 87 of 99 spots |
| Mar 22 | Mon Mar 22 | 30 of 99 spots |
Tide pool lows for your spot
Next good low
Showing all 99 spots
| Spot | Next tide pool lows | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Marlboro | Oct 10–11 mornings then Oct 26–29, Nov 23–27 | 0.1 ft Sat Oct 10, 10:21 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sassafras River, Betterton | Oct 10–11 afternoons then Oct 26–29, Nov 24–27 | 0.1 ft Sat Oct 10, 3:35 PM 13 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hillsboro, Tuckahoe Creek | Oct 27–29 afternoons then Nov 24–27, Dec 21–26 | 0.0 ft Thu Oct 29, 5:28 PM 13 good days in the next 3 months |
| McCready's Creek, Fishing Bay | Oct 28 morning then Nov 26–27, Dec 25–27 | -0.1 ft Wed Oct 28, 9:57 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Vienna | Oct 28 midday then Nov 23–27, Dec 23–26 | 0.1 ft Wed Oct 28, 12:33 PM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Buntings Bridge | Oct 29–31 mornings then Nov 28–29, Dec 27 | 0.0 ft Thu Oct 29, 8:51 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Crisfield, Little Annemessex River | Oct 29 morning then Nov 27, Dec 27 | -0.1 ft Thu Oct 29, 9:09 AM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Snowhill, city park | Oct 31–Nov 1 afternoons then Nov 25–28, Dec 22–26 | 0.3 ft Sat Oct 31, 3:34 PM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Pond Point, Bush River | Nov 2–6 mornings then Dec 2–4, Jan 1–2 | 0.0 ft Wed Nov 4, 10:03 AM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Kent Point Marina | Nov 23–29 mornings then Dec 7–13, Dec 23–29 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 10:09 AM 24 good days in the next 3 months |
| Love Point | Nov 23–27 middays then Dec 7–10, Dec 21–28 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 11:47 AM 22 good days in the next 3 months |
| Matapeake, Kent Island | Nov 24–27 mornings then Dec 9–11, Dec 22–28 | -0.2 ft Wed Nov 25, 10:50 AM 18 good days in the next 3 months |
| Salisbury, Wicomico River | Nov 24–27 mornings then Dec 24–28, Jan 22–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Nov 26, 9:50 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Annapolis (US Naval Academy) | Nov 25–26 mornings then Dec 22–28, Jan 5–12 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 10:49 AM 13 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bladensburg, Md. | Nov 25–26 afternoons then Dec 1, Dec 22–26 | -0.1 ft Thu Nov 26, 3:55 PM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cove Point | Nov 25–28 mornings then Dec 25–30, Jan 8–12 | -0.2 ft Thu Nov 26, 9:11 AM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Crumpton | Nov 25–26 middays then Dec 19–27, Jan 2–8 | -0.2 ft Wed Nov 25, 1:40 PM 18 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fort McHenry Marsh | Nov 25–28 middays then Dec 7–10, Dec 21–28 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 1:05 PM 22 good days in the next 3 months |
| Great Shoals Light, Monie Bay | Nov 25–27 mornings then Dec 25–28, Jan 23–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:53 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Long Beach | Nov 25–27 mornings then Dec 9–10, Dec 24–28 | -0.2 ft Wed Nov 25, 8:38 AM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Poplar Island | Nov 25–27 mornings then Dec 9–10, Dec 23–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 10:50 AM 13 good days in the next 3 months |
| Roaring Point | Nov 25–27 mornings then Dec 25–28, Jan 23–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 9:06 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Tolchester Beach | Nov 25–26 middays then Dec 20–28, Jan 2–10 | -0.2 ft Wed Nov 25, 12:28 PM 18 good days in the next 3 months |
| Whitehaven | Nov 25–27 mornings then Dec 25–28, Jan 23–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Nov 26, 9:17 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Barren Island | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 9–10 | -0.2 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:26 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cambridge | Nov 26 morning then Dec 23–28, Jan 6–11 | -0.2 ft Thu Nov 26, 10:46 AM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Chance | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:28 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Colburn Creek, Big Annemessex River | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:01 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Holland Island Bar Light | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.2 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:01 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hooper Strait Light | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:22 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Long Point, Big Annemessex River | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:18 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sharkfin Shoal Light | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 25–28, Jan 23–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:37 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Teague Creek, Manokin River | Nov 26–27 mornings then Dec 25–28, Jan 23–27 | -0.3 ft Thu Nov 26, 8:36 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ape Hole Creek, Pocomoke Sound | Nov 27 morning then Dec 27–28, Jan 25–27 | -0.2 ft Fri Nov 27, 8:21 AM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ewell, Smith Island | Nov 27–28 mornings then Dec 26–29, Jan 10 | -0.2 ft Fri Nov 27, 8:32 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Shelltown | Nov 27 morning then Dec 26–28, Jan 24–27 | -0.3 ft Fri Nov 27, 8:39 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Charlestown, Northeast River | Dec 19–24 afternoons then Dec 30, 2026–Jan 8, 2027, Jan 14–23 | -1.0 ft Thu Dec 24, 3:57 PM 16 good days in the next 3 months |
| Old Frenchtown Wharf | Dec 19–25 afternoons then Dec 30, 2026–Jan 9, 2027, Jan 16–24 | -1.2 ft Thu Dec 24, 2:54 PM 17 good days in the next 3 months |
| Port Deposit | Dec 19–24 afternoons then Dec 30, 2026–Jan 8, 2027, Jan 14–23 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 3:43 PM 16 good days in the next 3 months |
| Worton Creek entrance | Dec 19–27 middays then Jan 1–11, Jan 18–25 | -0.7 ft Thu Dec 24, 1:13 PM 17 good days in the next 3 months |
| Centreville Landing, Corsica River | Dec 20–28 middays then Jan 2–11, Jan 19–26 | -1.0 ft Thu Dec 24, 12:08 PM 16 good days in the next 3 months |
| Chestertown | Dec 20–27 middays then Jan 2–11, Jan 19–26 | -0.9 ft Thu Dec 24, 12:30 PM 15 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hawkins Point | Dec 20–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 12:00 PM 15 good days in the next 3 months |
| North Point | Dec 20–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:58 AM 15 good days in the next 3 months |
| Baltimore, Fort McHenry | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:54 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cliffs Point | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:52 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cliffs Wharf | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.7 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:46 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cornfield Creek, Magothy River | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 20–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:16 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Deep Landing, Swan Creek | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:50 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Dover Bridge | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 20–27 | -0.9 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:13 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Mountain Point, Magothy River | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:50 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Queenstown | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.7 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:46 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Stony Creek | Dec 21–28 middays then Jan 3–11, Jan 19–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:49 AM 14 good days in the next 3 months |
| Brewer Point | Dec 22–28 middays then Jan 4–11, Jan 20–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 11:00 AM 12 good days in the next 3 months |
| Galesville, West River | Dec 22–28 mornings then Jan 5–11, Jan 20–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 10:20 AM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Havre de Grace | Dec 22–25 afternoons then Dec 30, Jan 15–16 | -0.2 ft Thu Dec 24, 3:33 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Kent Island Narrows | Dec 22–28 mornings then Jan 4–11, Jan 20–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 10:31 AM 12 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sharptown | Dec 22–26 mornings then Jan 5–11, Jan 20–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Dec 23, 9:40 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Claiborne, Eastern Bay | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:26 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Edgewater, South River | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 5–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:47 AM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gingerville Creek, South River | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 5–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:48 AM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Goose Creek, Port Tobacco River, Md. | Dec 23–29 middays then Jan 22–28, Feb 6–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 11:21 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Indian Head, Md. | Dec 23–28 afternoons then Jan 19–27, Feb 6–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 2:55 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Keydash, Isle of Wight Bay | Dec 23–26 afternoons then Jan 21–25, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:32 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Liverpool Point, Md. | Dec 23–28 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 6–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 2:30 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Marshall Hall, Md. | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 19–26, Feb 6–9 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:33 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ocean City (Isle of Wight Bay) | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:01 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Rhode River (County Wharf) | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:37 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Riverside, Md. | Dec 23–29 middays then Jan 21–28, Feb 6–9 | -0.2 ft Sat Dec 26, 12:04 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Smithville Road Bridge, Beaverdam Creek | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 6–9, Jan 21–27 | -0.4 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:42 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| St. Michaels, Miles River | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 5–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:52 AM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Thomas Point Shoal Light | Dec 23–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:43 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Town Point Wharf | Dec 23–25 afternoons then Dec 30, Jan 5–7 | -0.2 ft Fri Dec 25, 4:18 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Avalon, Dogwood Harbor | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.7 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:06 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cherry Island, Beckwiths Creek | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 7–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.7 ft Thu Dec 24, 8:57 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Chesapeake Beach | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 7–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 8:49 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Deep Neck Point, Broad Creek | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:07 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Easton Point | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 21–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:19 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Lower Cedar Point, Md. | Dec 24–29 mornings then Jan 22–28, Feb 6–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 10:32 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Mills Point (south of), Wicomico Riv., Md. | Dec 24–30 mornings then Jan 22–28, Feb 6–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 10:23 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ocean City (Fishing Pier) | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:38 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oxford | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:09 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Rose Haven | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:10 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| St. Michaels, San Domingo Creek | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 7–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:02 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Taylors Island, Slaughter Creek | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 7–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.6 ft Thu Dec 24, 8:54 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Tilghman Island, Ferry Cove, Eastern Bay | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 6–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 9:12 AM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Woolford, Church Creek | Dec 24–28 mornings then Jan 7–11, Jan 22–27 | -0.8 ft Thu Dec 24, 8:59 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Broomes Island | Dec 25–28 mornings then Jan 9–11, Jan 23–27 | -0.7 ft Fri Dec 25, 8:41 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Colton Point, Md. | Dec 25–30 mornings then Jan 23–28, Feb 7–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 9:45 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Middle Hooper Island | Dec 25–28 mornings then Jan 9–11, Jan 23–27 | -0.8 ft Fri Dec 25, 8:21 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Solomons Island | Dec 25–29 mornings then Jan 9–11, Jan 23–27 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 8:41 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bishops Head, Hooper Strait | Dec 26–27 mornings then Jan 9–10, Jan 24–27 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 9:10 AM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cornfield Harbor, Md. | Dec 26–29 mornings then Jan 24–28, Feb 8–9 | -0.2 ft Sat Dec 26, 8:53 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Piney Point, Md. | Dec 26–29 mornings then Jan 24–28, Feb 8–9 | -0.3 ft Sat Dec 26, 9:12 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Point Lookout | Dec 26–28 mornings then Jan 10–11, Jan 24–27 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 8:28 AM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Public Landing | Dec 27–28 mornings then Jan 12, Jan 25–27 | -0.2 ft Sun Dec 27, 8:29 AM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| South Point, Sinepuxent Neck | Dec 28 morning then Jan 26–27 | -0.1 ft Mon Dec 28, 9:27 AM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Chesapeake City, Maryland | Dec 29 morning then Jan 14–15, Jan 27–28 | -0.2 ft Tue Dec 29, 9:02 AM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Ocean City Inlet | Jan 21–26 afternoons then Feb 8–12, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Sat Jan 23, 2:29 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
Tide pool tips
Go before the low
Arrive about an hour before low tide and head back as soon as the water turns.
Watch the waves
Sneaker waves run far up rocky shores, especially on the Pacific. Never turn your back on the ocean.
Step on bare rock
Seaweed and barnacles are slippery and alive. Wear shoes with grip and step on bare rock or sand.
Look, don't take
Touch gently with a wet finger, put rocks back as you found them, and leave animals and shells. Many tide pools are protected.
How these dates are worked out
For every spot we take NOAA's low tide predictions for the next 12 months. A low counts as a tide pool low when it's in that spot's lowest 10% and comes between an hour after sunrise and sunset, so there's light for the hour before it. Heights are feet above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero on tide charts; below zero is a minus tide. Wind and swell can keep the water higher than predicted. Not for navigation.