Live conditions for Seattle's waters — from Shilshole Bay to Elliott Bay to the Seattle waterfront. Weather and tides together, the way mariners actually need it.
Central Sound boaters deal with tides that swing 14+ feet at Seattle. Knowing the tide state alongside current wind and wave conditions isn't a nice-to-have — it determines when you can safely dock, anchor, or transit. Helm WX shows both on the same screen, free.
NOAA maintains real-time stations at Seattle (WPOW1), Tacoma, and across central Puget Sound. Helm WX aggregates these live feeds — not model output — so you're seeing actual observed conditions, updated continuously.
Whether you're rigging at Shilshole, fueling at the Ship Canal, or checking conditions from the Seattle Yacht Club, Helm WX loads instantly on any phone. No download, no account, no subscription.
Central Puget Sound is the heart of Seattle's boating scene, anchored by Shilshole Bay Marina — the largest marina on the Sound — and extending south through Elliott Bay to the downtown Seattle waterfront. These waters see it all: weekend sailors, racing fleets, Washington State ferries, container ships bound for the Port of Seattle, and kayakers threading the downtown shoreline.
Tidal range is significant here — tides at Seattle regularly run 12–14 feet on spring cycles, and the MLLW chart datum means low water can expose mud flats and create strong currents through the narrow passages. The Hiram Chittenden Locks (the Ballard Locks) connect the salt water of Shilshole Bay to the freshwater Lake Washington Ship Canal — a unique hydraulic system where timing your transit depends entirely on lock schedules and the height difference between salt and fresh water.
After heavy rain, strong freshwater outflow from the Ship Canal into Shilshole Bay can create locally confused seas near the canal entrance, especially when opposing a southerly. Portage Bay and Eastlake on Lake Union are calmer water, but getting there through the Locks in either direction requires planning. The Seattle Yacht Club on Portage Bay and the many marinas along Lake Washington are reached the same way.
NOAA's Seattle tide gauge at Pier 9 is one of the longest continuous tide records on the West Coast. Helm WX serves this data directly so you always know exactly where you stand in the tidal cycle — before you leave the dock.
Real-time wind, waves, and tides for Seattle and central Puget Sound — all in one free tool. No signup, no app, no cost.
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