You’re standing on the boardwalk, coffee in hand, looking out at the Atlantic. The water looks... fine. But if you’re a surfer, a fisherman, or just someone trying to not get their towel soaked, "fine" isn't enough. You need to know exactly what the water is doing. Most people check a random app, see a high tide time, and think they’re set. Honestly, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
If you're looking for the long beach ny tide schedule today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the numbers are pretty clear. The first high tide hit at 4:44 AM. The first low tide followed at 11:09 AM. We’ve got another high tide coming in at 5:10 PM, and the final low of the day drops at 11:05 PM.
But here’s the kicker. Those numbers are for the "outer coast"—the actual beach. If you’re hanging out back by Reynolds Channel or the "inside" of the bay, those times shift by nearly 45 minutes. That’s the difference between a great day on the water and getting stuck in the mud.
Why the Long Beach NY Tide Schedule Is Never Just One Number
Tides are basically a giant game of tug-of-war between the moon, the sun, and the Earth. Because Long Beach is a barrier island, it catches the water differently on the ocean side versus the bay side. When the "outer coast" is at high tide, that massive volume of water has to squeeze through East Rockaway Inlet or Jones Inlet to fill up the back bays.
This creates a delay. If you’re at a dock on the north side of the city, don't rely on the oceanfront schedule. You’ll be waiting.
The Rule of Twelfths (and why it matters)
Ever notice how the tide seems to barely move for an hour, then suddenly the beach vanishes? That’s not your imagination. Most experts use the "Rule of Twelfths." Essentially, the water doesn't rise at a steady rate.
- In the first hour after low tide, it rises 1/12th of its range.
- In the second hour, 2/12ths.
- In the third and fourth hours? It jumps by 3/12ths each.
That middle period—the third and fourth hours—is when the current is absolute madness. If you’re swimming near the jetties, that’s the "danger zone" where the pull is strongest. Conversely, if you're a fisherman, that’s usually when the striped bass start waking up because the bait is getting pushed around.
Reading the Chart Like a Local
When you look at a long beach ny tide schedule, you’ll see numbers like +4.4 ft or -0.2 ft. These aren't the depth of the ocean. That would be terrifyingly shallow. Instead, they’re measured against "Mean Lower Low Water" (MLLW).
If the chart says the low tide is 0.0, that’s the average. A negative number, like -0.5, means the tide is going out further than usual. These "blowout tides" often happen during a full moon or when a strong north wind pushes the water away from the shore. This is the best time to go beachcombing. You’ll find things near the jetties that have been submerged for months—old lures, sea glass, and sometimes weird remnants of old piers.
Sunrise and Sunset Synergy
For today, January 15, the sun came up at 7:16 AM and will set at 4:52 PM. Why do you care? Because the "Golden Hour" for photography and the peak of the high tide (5:10 PM) are overlapping today.
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If you want those iconic Long Beach sunset photos where the water reflects the purple sky right up against the boardwalk, today is your day. The water will be high, the waves will be pushing against the wood, and the lighting will be perfect.
Surfing, Fishing, and the "Sweet Spot"
Long Beach is famous for its "Lincoln Boulevard" surf break and the various "craters" along the coast. But if you show up at a dead high tide, you might find "fat" waves that won't break.
- Surfers: Most local breaks work best on a "mid-to-high" incoming tide. You want that 3rd or 4th hour of the rise. It gives the wave enough depth to keep its shape but enough shallow sand to make it break sharply.
- Anglers: The jetties are your best friend, but they’re dangerous. A rising tide (the flood) brings the big guys in. If you’re casting from the beach, try to time it so you’re fishing the two hours before and the hour after high tide.
- Walkers: If you want that long, firm-sand walk, you need the ebb. Aim for two hours after high tide. The water has receded enough to give you a "highway" of hard-packed sand that’s easy on the ankles.
A Warning About the "Inside" Tides
Reynolds Channel is a different beast. The current there can be incredibly deceptive. Because the water is funneled through such a narrow space between Long Beach and Island Park, the "slack tide" (when the water stops moving) doesn't happen exactly at high or low tide.
Sometimes the water is still rushing out even though the "low tide" time has passed. Boaters need to be especially careful near the Atlantic Beach Bridge or the Long Beach Bridge. Trying to dock a boat when the current is ripping at 3 knots is a recipe for a very expensive fiberglass repair.
Check the Wind, Too
You can have the most accurate long beach ny tide schedule in the world, and a strong South wind will still ruin it. An onshore wind (from the South) will "pile up" the water, making high tides higher and preventing low tides from fully receding.
On the flip side, a North wind "flattens" the ocean. It makes for beautiful, clean surfing conditions but can make the water feel much shallower than the tide chart suggests.
Honestly, the best way to handle Long Beach is to check the NOAA station 8516614 (it's the closest official one). It gives you real-time water levels. If the "observed" line is much higher than the "predicted" line, expect some minor flooding on the bay side streets like West Walnut or Shore Road.
Your Practical Next Steps
- Verify the Location: Double-check if your tide app is set to "Long Beach (Outer Coast)" or "Long Beach (Inside)." The 40-minute difference matters.
- Watch the Jetties: If you’re fishing or walking during a rising tide, don't get trapped on the end of a rock jetty. The water moves faster than you think.
- Download a Graph-Based App: Tables of numbers are hard to read at a glance. Use an app that shows a wave graph so you can visually see if the tide is "falling" or "rising" right now.
- Monitor the Wind: Before heading out, check the wind direction. A South wind over 15 mph will likely make the beach messy and the tide higher than predicted.