Tides
Tides
To fully enjoy As Catedrais Beach in all its splendor, it’s essential to know the tide schedule.
Access to the sandy area is only possible when the sea recedes during low tide, revealing a fascinating landscape of rock formations, sea caves, and natural arches. It’s a magical moment when the beach unveils its true face—full of secrets waiting to be discovered.
Although the beach can be visited at any time of day, without low tide, much of its beauty remains hidden beneath the waters of the Cantabrian Sea.
Tide Table
A Coruña
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 01:02 | Preamar | 3.00 |
| 07:16 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
| 13:32 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 19:40 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
Vigo
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:42 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 07:00 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:12 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:20 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Vilagarcía
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:47 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 07:03 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:17 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:25 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Ría de Foz
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 01:07 | Preamar | 3.10 |
| 07:18 | Baixamar | 1.70 |
| 13:38 | Preamar | 3.00 |
| 19:45 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
Corcubión
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:54 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 07:09 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:23 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:32 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Ría de Camariñas
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:54 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 07:09 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
| 13:25 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:32 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
Ría de Corme
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:58 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 07:12 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
| 13:27 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 19:32 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
A Guarda
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:43 | Preamar | 2.50 |
| 07:01 | Baixamar | 1.30 |
| 13:07 | Preamar | 2.40 |
| 19:16 | Baixamar | 1.30 |
Ribeira
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:51 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 07:05 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:19 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:28 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Muros
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:51 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 07:07 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:21 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:28 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Pontevedra
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:45 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 07:01 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
| 13:14 | Preamar | 2.80 |
| 19:21 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
Ferrol Porto Exterior
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 01:02 | Preamar | 3.00 |
| 07:17 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
| 13:32 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 19:41 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
Marín
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 00:44 | Preamar | 2.70 |
| 07:01 | Baixamar | 1.40 |
| 13:14 | Preamar | 2.70 |
| 19:23 | Baixamar | 1.30 |
Ferrol
| Hora | Marea | Altura (m) |
|---|---|---|
| 01:05 | Preamar | 3.00 |
| 07:18 | Baixamar | 1.60 |
| 13:36 | Preamar | 2.90 |
| 19:44 | Baixamar | 1.50 |
A Natural Treasure Revealed at Low Tide
When the sea recedes at low tide, As Catedrais Beach reveals its full splendor. This is the perfect moment to walk across the sand and immerse yourself in the majesty of its rock formations. Over centuries, marine erosion has sculpted a unique landscape filled with sea caves, islets, and natural arches—features that can only be seen during this precise moment. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience where the beach unveils its hidden magic and invites you to explore every corner of this natural treasure.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tides
What Is Low Tide?
Low tide is the moment in the tidal cycle when the sea reaches its lowest level.
There are two low tides and two high tides each day, meaning the water rises for about 6 hours and then recedes for another 6 hours.*
What Time of Day Is Low Tide?
The time of low tide changes daily, so it’s essential to check the tide chart before planning your visit.
How Do We Read the Tide Table?
To interpret the tide chart properly, pay attention to these elements:
- Low Tide Column: Indicates the exact time when the sea reaches its lowest point and recedes farthest from the cliffs. It’s important to remember that after this moment, the tide will begin to rise again. For this reason, it’s best to arrive at least one hour before low tide to enjoy your visit to the fullest.
- Height Column: Shows the sea level in meters. Each day is different, and the closer the number is to 0, the lower the tide. These are the best days for exploring the beach. If low tide coincides with a full moon, the tide will be even lower, improving access.
- Time Zone: Make sure to check whether the chart uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or official Spanish time. If it’s in GMT, add one hour in winter (due to Spain’s time zone) and two hours in summer (one for Spain and one for daylight saving time).
Do Tides Always Recede the Same Amount?
No, tides don’t always recede the same distance. Their range depends on the lunar phases. Based on these, we distinguish three main types of tides:
- Spring Tides: Occur when the difference between high and low tide is greatest. During spring tides, the sea recedes much farther, offering better access to the beach and more visible rock formations.
- Moderate Tides: Happen when the difference between high and low tide is average. You won’t see as much of the beach as during spring tides, but you can still enjoy it safely.
- Neap Tides: Occur when the difference between high and low tide is minimal. This can make it harder to access key areas like the arches. Even during low tide, the sea may not recede enough to allow full exploration.
When Do Spring Tides Occur?
Spring tides occur during the full moon and new moon, as well as in the days surrounding them.
During these tides, the difference between low and high tide is much more pronounced, allowing you to explore areas of the beach that are usually covered by water.
When Do Neap Tides Occur?
Neap tides happen during the first and last quarters of the moon—especially the week before and after the full moon.
In these periods, the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun partially cancel each other out.
As a result, the sea doesn’t recede as far, making it harder to access the most spectacular areas of the beach, like the arches—even during low tide. For this reason, neap tides are not the ideal time to explore As Catedrais Beach.