Richmond king tides 2026–27
The highest tides NOAA predicts for Richmond over the next 12 months, one per spring tide, at Richmond (river locks). The biggest is 4.5 ft on Tue, Apr 20, 2027 at 4:16 AM, about 1.2 ft above a typical high tide.
Next big tide: Mon, Oct 26, 2026 at 4:56 PM, 4.3 ft.
Highest tides
| Date | Time | Height | Above a typical high | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | 4:56 PM | 4.3 ft | 1.0 ft | 1 day after the full moon |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | 2:37 PM | 4.4 ft | 1.0 ft | 1 day before the new moon |
| Mon, Nov 23, 2026 | 2:45 PM | 4.3 ft | 1.0 ft | 1 day before the full moon |
| Sun, Dec 6, 2026 | 2:13 PM | 4.1 ft | 0.8 ft | 2 days before the new moon |
| Tue, Dec 22, 2026 | 2:19 PM | 4.0 ft | 0.7 ft | 1 day before the full moon |
| Mon, Mar 22, 2027 | 4:39 AM | 4.2 ft | 0.9 ft | on the full moon |
| Tue, Apr 20, 2027 | 4:16 AM | 4.5 ft | 1.2 ft | 1 day before the full moon |
| Wed, May 5, 2027 | 3:56 AM | 4.1 ft | 0.8 ft | 1 day before the new moon |
| Tue, May 18, 2027 | 3:07 AM | 4.4 ft | 1.1 ft | 2 days before the full moon |
| Thu, Sep 30, 2027 | 5:03 PM | 4.3 ft | 1.0 ft | 1 day after the new moon |
These are astronomical predictions. An onshore wind, heavy rain or a storm can push water a foot or more higher, and that is when king tides flood low roads, docks and marsh-front yards. Check the forecast the week before.
Lowest tides
The same spring tides drain the water lowest. Good days for shelling, walking sandbars and exploring the flats; mind the time and the incoming tide.
| Date | Time | Height | Below a typical low | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jun 22, 2027 | 2:09 PM | −0.3 ft | 0.7 ft | 4 days after the full moon |
| Wed, Jul 7, 2027 | 2:32 PM | −0.3 ft | 0.7 ft | 4 days after the new moon |
| Tue, Jul 20, 2027 | 1:01 PM | −0.5 ft | 0.8 ft | 2 days after the full moon |
| Sun, Jul 25, 2027 | 3:37 PM | −0.3 ft | 0.7 ft | |
| Mon, Aug 16, 2027 | 11:12 AM | −0.3 ft | 0.7 ft | 1 day before the full moon |
| Sun, Aug 22, 2027 | 2:23 PM | −0.3 ft | 0.7 ft |
What is a king tide?
“King tide” is the everyday name for the highest tides of the year. They come with the new or full moon (spring tides) when the moon is also at its closest to Earth, and they are strongest in the months when the sun lines up too. They are entirely predictable, which is why the dates above are known a year ahead.
King tides in nearby towns
- Hopewell · 18 mi
- West Point · 35 mi
- Tappahannock · 41 mi
- Yorktown · 55 mi
- Colonial Beach · 56 mi
- Smithfield · 59 mi
From NOAA tide predictions for Richmond (river locks). Heights are feet above mean lower low water (MLLW). Not for navigation.