The most important factor to safely enjoying paddling on the San Francisco Bay is to fully understand the tides and currents that can impact your paddle. This page is designed to fully educate and advise you on your direction and route planning.
Tides & Currents
The calculator below is designed for use by experienced paddlers who may be considering going into the more powerful currents past Pier 50 or the Dry Dock.
Most paddlers will want to hug the shoreline heading north from Crane Cove, never venturing past Pier 50 or the Dry Dock, regardless of tides and currents.
Paddle Calculator
Select your date, time, and expected outing duration. Our system will recommend the best options.
Recommended Route
STARTING CURRENT: FLOOD
ENDING CURRENT: EBB
RECOMMENDATION:
Start out heading south with the flood current, which will shift during your paddle at 10:52am.
On the return, heading north, the ebb current should be at your back.
NOTES
Your estimated turn around time is 11:00 am, which is the mid-point in your plan. This is important for you to note. Wherever you are, we suggest turning around at this time.
During your paddle there will be a slack tide. This means the energy of the current will reduce from 09:52 am until 11:52 am as the tide shifts directions from High to Low.
Flood current means the water is flowing southward into of the Bay, filling in from low to high tide.
Ebb current means the water is flowing northward out of the Bay, emptying out from high to low tide.