During a trip to Québec by the Sea, you’ll notice that the landscapes in our regions vary according to the seasons and weather conditions but also according to the tides. What exactly does this phenomenon involve? Tides are the cyclical rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational force exerted by the Moon (and, to a lesser extent, the Sun) on the water and by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the Moon around the Earth.

The Moon’s gravitational force causes water masses to swell, producing a high tide. Tides therefore move around the Earth following the Moon’s rotation. However, since the Moon only rotates around the Earth once a day, why are there two tides in a 24-hour period? This is because when the tide is high on the side of the Earth facing the Moon, it’s also high on the opposite side due to the effect of centrifugal force. At the same time, water levels perpendicular to the high tides are lower, which is known as low tide.

In addition, the height of the tides varies according to the position of the Moon, Earth and Sun. Tides are higher when these three bodies are positioned on the same axis, which occurs at the new and full moons. Even higher tides are observed during fall and spring equinoxes, when the Sun exerts a stronger pull on the Earth than during the rest of the year because it’s positioned directly over the Equator. The combined gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon cause even higher tides.

Will you be visiting Québec by the Sea during your vacation? If you plan to participate in any of the sea activities offered in our regions, keep in mind that the tides may influence the schedule of these activities. Inquire directly from attractions, marine carriers and outdoor companies to help you plan your trip!