High tide occurs roughly every 12 hours and 25 minutes, corresponding to the natural rise of sea levels as the Earth rotates through two tidal bulges caused by the moon's gravitational pull. Coastal areas commonly experience two high tides and two low tides in a lunar day (24 hours and 50 minutes), with high tides happening approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. The water transitions from high to low tide in about 6 hours and 12.5 minutes.
In summary:
- High tides happen about twice daily.
- They are spaced roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes apart.
- This cycle is based on the lunar day, which is longer than the solar day by about 50 minutes due to the moon's orbit around the Earth.
