The Right Way to Read Your Wall Tide Clock

Whether you're an angler, a surfer, or simply a beach lover, you probably know the importance of keeping track of the tides. Tides play a crucial role in determining the best time for fishing, enjoying a day at the beach, and knowing when to steer clear of the water. Using a wall tide clock to track the tides makes all this infinitely easier. Tidepieces' clocks are a great addition to any home, but especially those by the coast. Learn the right way to read a wall tide clock and you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever conditions the tide brings.

Understand What a Tide Clock Is

Tide clocks are a special category of nautical clocks designed to indicate the interval between the tides. They do not predict when tides will come in nor do they tell the actual time of day.  Instead, tide clocks give an accurate depiction of when a high tide and low tide is expected to come in. Tide clocks can be set to any location with a regular high and low tide, regardless of the user’s proximity to the coast. Both decorative and functional, tide clocks are the useful nautical instruments you may need in your home.

Setting Up Your Tide Clock

The first step to using a wall tide clock is setting it up properly. To set up a wall tide clock, you’ll need to know when the next tide will be in your desired location. You can use online or newspaper listings to find out this information. Once you know the time of the next tide, set the tide hand on the clock according to the number of hours until that next tide. For the most accurate reading, it’s best to set the clock to the high tide during a full moon.

Reading Your Wall Tide Clock

Once your tide clock is set up, reading it will be the easy part. In fact, tide clocks have only one hand, which makes reading them even easier.

It's important to note that the tide hand moves in a continuous circular motion around the clock's face, indicating the tide level at any given time. When the tide hand is pointing straight up, it indicates high tide, and when it's pointing straight down, it indicates low tide.

Essentially, remember that the tide clock doesn't indicate the exact time of the high or low tide, but rather the interval between tides. Tide clocks run on a 24 h 50 min cycle, which is in sync with the orbit of the Moon around the Earth. In most but not all locations on Earth, the interval from one tide to the next is 6h 12 1⁄2 minutes. Tide clocks are built to work on this time interval. It is also worth noting that, although tide clocks will work for most coastal areas, they may require adjustment for certain locations and don’t work at all for the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, it's crucial to set your tide clock according to the location to which it is calibrated.

Tidepieces' Wall Tide Clocks

Tidepieces' wall tide clocks are unique additions to any nautical-themed room. With over 80 designs to choose from, these clocks are not just functional but also visually appealing.

Reading yourwall tide clock is easy once you understand what it is and how to set it up.  Tidepieces' clocks are a great choice for any beach or nautical-themed room, and their animated display sets them apart from other tide clocks on the market. So go ahead and add a touch of personality to your space with a Tidepieces' wall tide clock today.