Summerside, PEI tide times

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived.

Model-derived from a global ocean grid. Useful indication; expect about ±45 minutes on average vs. a local harmonic gauge, individual stations vary widely. See /methodology for per-region detail. Not for navigation.

Conditions as of 01:00 local time. Refreshes daily.

Predictions: Open-Meteo Marine (MeteoFrance SMOC, 0.08° grid) — heights relative to MSL (not chart datum / LAT). Model-derived. · Not for navigation.

The angler tradition for major/minor fishing windows: major ≈3-hour windows around moon transit and opposition; minor ≈2-hour windows around moonrise and moonset. Times are America/Halifax local. Folk tradition, not a scientific forecast.

Next spring tide on Mon 18 May (range 2.0m). Last neap on Fri 15 May. Next neap on Wed 20 May.

Spring tides cluster around new and full moons (biggest swings). Neap tides land on quarter moons (smallest swings). See the spring tide and neap tide glossary entries for the why.

Summerside is PEI's second city, on the south shore of the island facing Bedeque Bay — an embayment of Northumberland Strait whose geometry amplifies the regional tidal signal to produce the largest tidal range on PEI. Mean range at Summerside is approximately 1.8 metres; spring range reaches around 2.2 metres. These are the highest ranges on PEI and noticeably larger than Charlottetown's 1.2 metre mean range. The bay shape funnels the tidal wave as it enters, building the height mechanically. The consequence is visible at the waterfront: the boats at the Summerside marina rise and fall by nearly 2 metres over a tidal cycle, and the tidal flats exposed at low water in the inner bay are extensive. The inner bay at low water is a red-sand and tidal-flat environment productive for bivalve aquaculture and clam harvesting. Blue mussels grown on longlines in Bedeque Bay and the surrounding Northumberland Strait inlets are harvested primarily from September through November; the mussel product is processed at the Summerside harbour-area facilities and shipped nationally. Bedeque Bay oyster leases operate on the same tidal flush mechanism as Malpeque Bay — tidal renewal brings in phytoplankton, the shellfish filter and grow, the ebb removes the waste. The large tidal range at Summerside is directly productive: more tidal flushing per cycle means faster water renewal and better growing conditions. The Summerside waterfront has been substantially redeveloped since the closure of CFB Summerside air force base in 1989. The harbourfront area includes Spinnakers' Landing, a mixed-use waterfront development with retail, restaurants, and a marina. The boardwalk runs along the waterfront from the marina eastward, with views of Bedeque Bay and Northumberland Strait. At low water the marina boats sit low in their berths; at high water they are at full float height. The visual change over a 6-hour tidal half-cycle is the largest on PEI. Summerside's lobster tradition is central to its food identity. PEI lobster season has two phases: spring (May–June, the primary season) and fall (August–October, in some districts). The Summerside fleet fishes Northumberland Strait; the catch moves through the local co-op and wharfside buyers directly to restaurant and retail. The Summerside Lobster Carnival (third week of July, after spring season close) has run since 1958 — week-long festival with lobster suppers, live music, and a harbour parade. PEI's Confederation Bridge is 35 kilometres southeast of Summerside on Route 1; the bridge to New Brunswick opened in 1997 and replaced the car ferry service that had operated since 1917. Summerside is closer to the bridge than Charlottetown is, and the city serves as the first urban stop for visitors arriving by car from the mainland. Tide predictions on this page come from Open-Meteo Marine, a gridded global ocean model. Accuracy is typically within plus or minus 45 minutes on timing and 0.2 to 0.3 metres on height — model-derived, not from a DFO gauge on this specific location. For authoritative official Canadian predictions, consult Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at tides.gc.ca.