Tide pooling in Massachusetts: 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 Massachusetts they come mostly in January to March. The next stretch of tide pool lows across the state is Nov 23–25. Dates, times and heights below come from NOAA predictions for 89 spots, worked out for the next 12 months.
Tide pools in every state · Massachusetts king tides
Tide pool season in Massachusetts
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 23–25 | Tue Nov 24 | 28 of 89 spots |
| Dec 22–25 | Tue Dec 22 | 48 of 89 spots |
| Jan 20–26 | Thu Jan 21 | 76 of 89 spots |
| Feb 19–24 | Fri Feb 19 | 84 of 89 spots |
| Mar 21–25 | Sun Mar 21 | 64 of 89 spots |
| Apr 8–9 | Fri Apr 9 | 28 of 89 spots |
| May 7–10 | Sat May 8 | 56 of 89 spots |
| Jun 5–9 | Mon Jun 7 | 60 of 89 spots |
Favorite tide pools in Massachusetts
| Tide pools | Next good low tides | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Halibut Point, Rockport Tides: Rockport, 2 mi | Dec 22 then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:26 PM |
| Nahant Tides: Lynn, Lynn Harbor, 3 mi | Jan 21 then Feb 19–20, Mar 21–22 | -1.3 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:13 PM |
Tide pool lows for your spot
Next good low
Showing all 89 spots
| Spot | Next tide pool lows | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Cod Canal, Bourne Bridge | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 24, Dec 22–23 | -0.3 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:35 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Cod Canal, RR. bridge | Oct 26–27 afternoons then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–24 | -0.5 ft Tue Oct 27, 5:36 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Georges Shoal, Texas Tower | Oct 26 afternoon then Nov 23–24, Dec 22–23 | -0.4 ft Mon Oct 26, 5:19 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Round Hill Point | Oct 26–27 afternoons then Nov 22–26, Dec 5–8 | -0.8 ft Mon Oct 26, 2:31 PM 22 good days in the next 3 months |
| Chappaquoit Point, West Falmouth Harbor | Oct 27 afternoon then Nov 24–27, Dec 23–27 | -0.4 ft Tue Oct 27, 3:03 PM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gray Gables | Oct 27–29 afternoons then Nov 24–27, Dec 24–26 | -0.4 ft Wed Oct 28, 4:30 PM 10 good days in the next 3 months |
| Vineyard Haven, Vineyard Hvn Hbr | Nov 22–24 afternoons then Dec 21–23, Jan 18–22 | -0.2 ft Tue Nov 24, 4:18 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Amelia Earhart Dam, Mystic River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:57 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Boston | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:50 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Boston Light | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:46 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Charlestown, Charles River entrance | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:51 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cohasset Harbor (White Head) | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.7 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:48 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Crow Point, Hingham Harbor entrance | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:55 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Deer Island (south end) | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.7 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:50 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Edgartown | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -0.1 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:06 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Eel Point | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.2 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:57 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Falmouth Heights | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22–23, Jan 20–21 | -0.1 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:41 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hingham | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:58 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hull | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.7 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:57 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Moon Head | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:54 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Muskeget Island, north side | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.2 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:05 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Nantasket Beach, Weir River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:57 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Neponset, Neponset River | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:53 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Nut Island, Quincy Bay | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:52 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Provincetown | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -1.0 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:49 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sandwich Marina, Cape Cod Canal, east entrance | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.9 ft Mon Nov 23, 3:51 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Weymouth Fore River Bridge | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 20–21 | -0.8 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:01 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wychmere Harbor | Nov 23 afternoon then Dec 22, Jan 21 | -0.3 ft Mon Nov 23, 4:15 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cedar Tree Neck | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–25, Jan 21–24 | -0.2 ft Wed Nov 25, 3:23 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Clarks Point | Nov 24–26 middays then Dec 23–27, Jan 21–26 | -0.5 ft Wed Nov 25, 1:52 PM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cuttyhunk | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–25, Jan 21–25 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 3:06 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gay Head | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:36 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Great Hill | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 22–26, Jan 20–25 | -0.4 ft Tue Nov 24, 1:16 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hix Bridge, East Branch | Nov 24 afternoon then Dec 23–24, Jan 21–23 | -0.3 ft Tue Nov 24, 3:28 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Little Harbor | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–24, Jan 21–23 | -0.1 ft Wed Nov 25, 4:12 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Marion, Sippican Harbor | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.4 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:03 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Mattapoisett, Mattapoisett Harbor | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:11 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Monument Beach | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.4 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:21 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| New Bedford Harbor, Marine Terminal | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 23–26, Jan 20–26 | -0.3 ft Tue Nov 24, 1:20 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Nomans Land | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:09 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oceanographic Institution | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 22–24, Jan 19–24 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 3:54 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Onset Beach, Onset Bay | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–25, Jan 21–24 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 3:16 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Penikese Island | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 22–26, Jan 20–26 | -0.4 ft Tue Nov 24, 1:11 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Piney Point | Nov 24–27 afternoons then Dec 23–27, Jan 21–26 | -0.5 ft Thu Nov 26, 2:42 PM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Quicks Hole, North side | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 1:43 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Squibnocket Point | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 1:49 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Steep Brook, Taunton River | Nov 24–25 middays then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.4 ft Wed Nov 25, 1:56 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Uncatena Island (south side) | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:13 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Westport Harbor | Nov 24–25 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–26 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:24 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Menemsha Harbor, Ma | Nov 25 afternoon then Dec 23–26, Jan 20–25 | -0.3 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:38 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hyannis Port | Dec 21–22 afternoons then Jan 19–21, Feb 17–20 | -0.5 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:06 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Barnstable Harbor, Beach Point | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Jan 26 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:58 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Beverly, Beverly Harbor | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.9 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:30 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Cape Cod Canal, Bournedale | Dec 22–23 afternoons then Jan 21–22, Feb 19–21 | -0.7 ft Wed Dec 23, 4:10 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Cod Canal, Sagamore | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–20 | -0.6 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:30 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Chatham, Stage Harbor | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20, Feb 19–20 | -0.3 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:10 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Chelsea St. Bridge, Chelsea River | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:33 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Cotuit Highlands | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20, Jan 26 | -0.2 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:15 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Damons Point, North River | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Jan 26 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:04 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Dennisport | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 26, Feb 19–20 | -0.3 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:06 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Gloucester Harbor | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:28 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Great Point | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Jan 26 | -0.3 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:56 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Nantucket | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20, Feb 18–20 | -0.4 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:15 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Plum Island Sound (south end) | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Jan 26 | -0.7 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:55 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Plum Island, Merrimack River Entrance | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.7 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:50 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Rockport | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 19–20 | -0.8 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:26 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Saquatucket Harbor | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 20–21, Feb 18–20 | -0.4 ft Tue Dec 22, 4:01 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Sesuit Harbor, East Dennis | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–20 | -1.0 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:33 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Wellfleet | Dec 22 afternoon then Jan 21, Jan 26 | -0.9 ft Tue Dec 22, 3:58 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Fall River, Massachusetts | Dec 23–26 middays then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Thu Dec 24, 1:30 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wasque Point, Chappaquiddick Island | Dec 23 afternoon then Jan 21, Feb 19–21 | -0.1 ft Wed Dec 23, 4:10 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Martha's Vineyard Gps Buoy | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–23 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:21 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Salisbury Point | Jan 20 afternoon then Feb 18–19, Feb 23–24 | -0.7 ft Wed Jan 20, 4:26 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Annisquam, Lobster Cove | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21–25 | -1.2 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:12 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Brant Rock, Green Harbor River | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -1.1 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:11 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Duxbury, Duxbury Harbor | Jan 21 afternoon then Jan 26, Feb 19–20 | -0.9 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:38 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Lynn, Lynn Harbor | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 21–22 | -1.3 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:13 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oak Bluffs | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Mar 9 | -0.3 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:29 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Plymouth | Jan 21 afternoon then Jan 26, Feb 19–20 | -0.9 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:26 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Salem, Salem Harbor | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, May 8–11 | -1.1 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:05 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Scituate, Scituate Harbor | Jan 21 afternoon then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -0.9 ft Thu Jan 21, 4:08 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Pleasant Bay | Jan 23–26 mornings then Feb 21–24, Mar 22–25 | -0.3 ft Sun Jan 24, 9:30 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Riverside | Jan 24–26 mornings then Feb 21–25, Mar 22–25 | -0.4 ft Mon Jan 25, 9:53 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Chatham Harbor, Aunt Lydias Cove | Jan 25–26 mornings then Feb 19, Feb 23–25 | -0.5 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:16 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Merrimacport | Jan 25 morning then Feb 18, Feb 23–24 | -0.5 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:40 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Poponesset Island, Poponesset Bay | Jan 25–26 mornings then Feb 22–24, Mar 23–25 | -0.2 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:48 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| South Yarmouth, Bass River | Jan 25–26 mornings then Feb 22–24, Mar 23–25 | -0.3 ft Mon Jan 25, 8:42 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Essex | Jan 26 morning then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -0.7 ft Tue Jan 26, 8:19 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Newburyport | Jan 26 morning then Feb 19–20, Feb 24 | -0.7 ft Tue Jan 26, 8:28 AM 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.