Overhead view of rippling sand from a low tide, filled with small amounts of water.

Tides & Currents

Waves breaking on the shore

Currents, Waves, and Tides

Ever wonder about how waves form, or why tides rise and fall? This overview dives into everything to know.

Read More

Featured Content

CARTHE Drifters: Where does oil go when it is spilled?

One-meter-tall plastic drifters are released into the Gulf of Mexico in 2012. Over 300 of these drifters were released and their location information was sent to researchers every five minutes through GPS satellite.

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.
see all lesson plans see lesson plans about currents

Tides & Currents Articles

Teams of Robots Can Help Us Build 3D Maps of the Ocean

One of ten robots that examined an area of 800 cubic kilometers in northern Monterey Bay, over the course of 24 days, in 2006.

CARTHE Drifters: Where does oil go when it is spilled?

One-meter-tall plastic drifters are released into the Gulf of Mexico in 2012. Over 300 of these drifters were released and their location information was sent to researchers every five minutes through GPS satellite.

Tracking volcanic rock to the shores of Belize

Carrie Bow Cay field station sits in the blue and turquoise waters of Belize.