The August 2026 Lunar Eclipse: What Does the Moon Have to Do With the Tides?

So by now, we all know that there is a lunar eclipse happening tonight. 

If you're planning to head outside this evening, there's a pretty good reason to look towards the sky. Today, Wednesday 12 August 2026, a spectacular partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK and Ireland.

It won't be a total eclipse from the UK, but it will come surprisingly close. Around 90% of the Sun will be covered from London, with the amount increasing the further south-west you travel. In parts of Cornwall, around 95% of the Sun will be obscured.

The eclipse begins at around 6:17pm in London, reaches its maximum at approximately 7:12pm, and finishes at around 8:06pm. The exact times vary slightly depending on where you are in the UK.

For anyone who lives near the coast, there's another interesting connection worth knowing about — the Moon is also responsible for a large part of what we see happening in our oceans every day.

So, does a lunar eclipse actually affect the tides?

What is happening during the eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking some of the Sun's light from reaching us.

Today's eclipse is a partial solar eclipse, which means the Moon won't completely cover the Sun from anywhere in the UK. Instead, we'll see the Moon gradually move across the face of the Sun, leaving a narrowing crescent of sunlight at the peak of the eclipse.

The event is particularly interesting because the Sun will already be getting fairly low in the sky. From London, the maximum occurs at around 7:12pm, with the Sun and Moon close to the western horizon.

That means where you choose to watch from matters. A location with a clear view towards the west or north-west will give you a much better chance of seeing the eclipse without buildings, trees or hills getting in the way.

And, of course, there's the usual problem for anyone watching the skies in Britain — the weather.

Why does the Moon affect the tides?

The Moon might be responsible for tonight's spectacle in the sky, but its influence doesn't stop there.

The Moon's gravity pulls on the Earth's oceans, helping to create the regular rise and fall of sea levels that we know as the tides. The Sun also has a gravitational effect on the oceans, although the Moon has the greater influence because it is much closer to Earth.

The position of the Moon therefore has a direct connection with the tides we see around the UK coastline.

When the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned around a new or full Moon, their gravitational effects combine to produce a greater tidal range. These are known as spring tides.

The name can be slightly misleading — spring tides don't have anything specifically to do with the spring season. The term refers to the water "springing forth" with a larger tidal range.

At other times of the lunar cycle, the Sun and Moon's gravitational effects work more against each other, producing smaller tidal ranges known as neap tides.

Does today's solar eclipse change the tides?

This is where things get interesting.

The eclipse itself doesn't suddenly cause the sea to rise or fall. The important thing is the position of the Moon in relation to the Earth and Sun.

Because a solar eclipse can only occur at a new Moon, today's eclipse is taking place when the Moon, Earth and Sun are closely aligned. This is also the configuration associated with spring tides.

So while the eclipse isn't creating a special "eclipse tide", the astronomical alignment happening today is relevant to the tides.

The actual tide you experience at your local beach is influenced by much more than the Moon, though. The shape of the coastline, the seabed, bays, estuaries and other local geographical features all affect how the tidal water behaves.

That's why tide times and heights can be very different from one part of the UK to another.

Why does the tide vary so much around the UK?

Britain has an incredibly varied coastline.

Compare a sheltered harbour with an exposed sandy beach and you'll quickly see that the sea behaves very differently. The shape and depth of the surrounding water can affect both the timing and height of the tides.

This is particularly noticeable around areas such as the Bristol Channel, where some of the largest tidal ranges in the world can be found.

It also explains why checking a tide time for a particular town isn't necessarily enough if you're actually visiting a beach several miles away.

For anyone planning a coastal walk, a day of photography, fishing, rock pooling or simply a trip to the beach, local tide information is much more useful than a general UK tide forecast.

Watching the eclipse from the coast

If you're lucky enough to have clear skies this evening, the coastline could make a fantastic place to watch the eclipse.

There's something quite fitting about watching an event involving the Moon and Sun while standing beside the sea, knowing that the same Moon is also influencing the water at your feet.

Just remember that a solar eclipse must never be viewed directly without suitable solar eye protection. Ordinary sunglasses aren't sufficient. The Royal Observatory Greenwich recommends using proper eclipse glasses or another safe method specifically designed for observing the Sun.

The Sun will also be low in the sky during the eclipse, so don't forget to choose your viewing position carefully.

What time can I see the eclipse?

The exact timings depend on where you are, but the eclipse will take place during the early evening.

These timings are provided by the Royal Observatory Greenwich and are approximate, with the amount of the Sun covered also varying depending on your location.

From the eclipse to the coastline

Today's eclipse is a good reminder that the things happening above us and the things happening around our coastline aren't as separate as they might first appear.

The Moon is responsible for one of the most familiar sights around the UK — the changing tide — and today we're also getting the chance to see the Moon passing directly in front of the Sun.

Once the eclipse is over, the tides will continue their normal cycle, with high and low water occurring at different times around the country.

So if you're heading to the coast today, why not check both?

Look up at the sky, but don't forget to look at the tide times too.

At UK Tide Times, you can find tide information for beaches, harbours and coastal locations around the UK.

Find your location and check today's tide times before heading to the coast.

Thank you very much to Caaty Lewis for her amazing photo of the 2026 lunar eclipse!