You’re looking at a very mild day on the water here in São Gonçalo, with the sea barely budging. The high tides roll in just after one in the morning and again around half past one in the afternoon, each reaching about four and a half metres, while the low tides sit nearly as high, around four metres in the morning and a touch less near nine in the evening. That narrow range, barely half a metre from top to bottom, means the ocean feels almost lazy today, with no dramatic pull or push, just a gentle, steady rhythm that keeps the shoreline pretty much where it is.
For anyone heading to the beach, this is a day when the water won’t rush out far or sneak back in fast, so you can settle in without worrying about the tide catching you off guard. Swimmers and waders will find the conditions calm and predictable, with the best window in the early afternoon when the high tide brings the sea right up to the sand, though the low tide around eight in the morning still leaves the water shallow but not dramatically exposed. Fishing from the shore or taking a small boat out is straightforward, as the currents are weak and the tidal flow minimal, but keep an eye on the afternoon high if you’re launching a dinghy, since the water level won’t change much but the timing is still worth noting.
The real takeaway today ties into the daylight, with sunrise at half past six and sunset at twenty past five, giving you a solid ten hours of light to enjoy the coast. The morning low tide around seven thirty is a perfect moment for a quiet stroll on the wet sand, while the afternoon high at one twenty-five lines up nicely with the sun still high, making it ideal for a swim or a paddle. Just remember that the evening low near nine o’clock comes after dark, so if you’re out late, bring a torch and watch your step on the slippery rocks.
Bottom line: this is a tame, easygoing tidal day in São Gonçalo, where the sea barely raises an eyebrow and the sun does the heavy lifting. Plan your beach time around the afternoon high for the fullest water, and use the morning low for exploring, but don’t stress over currents or sudden shifts, because the tide is just going through the motions today. The sunset at five twenty-one gives you a perfect cue to wrap up your day by the water.
