Broome Tides & Beach Safety
Broome's tides are dramatic, beautiful and worth understanding before you explore. Here's everything you need to know — from official tide times to beach driving safety.
Official Broome Tide Times
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) publishes official tide predictions for Broome. These are the authoritative source for planning beach visits, coastal activities and tours.
Annual tide predictions for Broome (Port of Broome), published by the Bureau of Meteorology. Opens in a new tab.
Live and short-range tide predictions for Broome and other WA ports, updated by BOM.
Time zone: Times in the BOM annual table are given in Australian Western Standard Time (AWST / UTC+8). Broome does not observe daylight saving time, so no adjustment is needed.
Weather affects actual water levels: Predicted tide heights are calculated from astronomical factors. Actual water levels can differ due to weather — strong onshore winds, storm surges and low-pressure systems can raise water levels above predictions. Always allow a margin when planning beach access.
Why Broome's Tides Are Special
Broome sits on the edge of the Indian Ocean in a region where the continental shelf geometry produces an exceptionally large tidal range. Understanding a few basics makes the whole coastline easier to read.
A very large tidal range
Broome regularly experiences tidal ranges — the vertical difference between high and low water in a single cycle — of around 9 to 10 metres during spring tides. This is among the largest tidal ranges in Australia. The result is a coastline that transforms dramatically over just a few hours: broad tidal flats emerge at low tide and disappear completely at high tide. What looks like a wide, walkable beach in the morning can be fully submerged by afternoon.
Tide height versus tidal range
The height shown in a tide table is measured from a fixed reference point called Chart Datum — roughly the lowest astronomical tide level. A reading of, say, 0.3 m means the water is 0.3 m above that baseline. The tidal range is the difference between consecutive high and low readings. A high of 9.8 m followed by a low of 0.4 m gives a range of 9.4 m — a very large swing. Both numbers matter: the height tells you where the water is right now; the range tells you how much it will move.
Spring tides and neap tides
Spring tides occur twice a month, around the time of the new moon and full moon, when the gravitational pull of the sun and moon align. They produce the largest tidal ranges — the highest high tides and the lowest low tides. Neap tides occur around the first and third quarter moon, when the sun and moon are at right angles. They produce smaller ranges. The word 'spring' here has nothing to do with the season — it comes from an old word meaning to leap or surge.
Tidal flats, marine habitats and dinosaur tracks
At low tide, Broome's tidal flats extend hundreds of metres from the shoreline, exposing mudflats, rock platforms and sandy shallows that are rich in marine life. Roebuck Bay's flats are internationally significant shorebird habitat. At Gantheaume Point and a small number of other locations, very low tides expose rock platforms where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are preserved. Not all footprint sites are accessible at the same tide height — check location-specific guidance before visiting.
Staircase to the Moon
Broome's famous Staircase to the Moon occurs when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. The moonlight reflects off the wet, rippled mud in a series of golden steps that appear to climb toward the moon. The effect requires two things to coincide: a full moon and a sufficiently low tide at the right time of evening. It occurs on a handful of nights each year, roughly March to October, and lasts only 20 to 30 minutes as the moon rises and the tide changes.
Tides and tours
Many of Broome's coastal activities depend on tides. The Dinosaur Adventure Cruise times its departure to reach the footprint sites at low tide. Pearl farm tours at Willie Creek and Cygnet Bay work around tidal access to the farm areas. Some boat tours operate only at certain tide states. When you book a tour, the operator will account for tides — but it's worth understanding why departure times can vary between seasons.
Gantheaume Beach: Driving and Parking
Driving or parking on Gantheaume Beach? Check tide times before entering and keep watch on the incoming water. The shoreline can change dramatically as the tide rises. Keep your vehicle and exit route clear of the incoming tide, and follow current signs, closures and access restrictions.
Gantheaume Point has two distinct areas: a designated car park on the headland (on land, above the beach), and the beach itself, where vehicles can access the sand at certain tide states. These are different locations — parking in the headland car park does not require any tide consideration. Driving or parking on the beach is a separate matter entirely.
Vehicle access to Gantheaume Beach is subject to conditions set by the Shire of Broome, and these can change. Before driving onto the beach, check current access rules and any active closures with the Shire of Broome directly. Do not assume that a low tide alone means beach access is permitted or safe.
A tide table tells you the predicted water level — it does not tell you whether the sand is firm, whether the access track is clear, or whether conditions are safe for your particular vehicle. There is no universal safe tide height for beach parking. Conditions vary with weather, sand movement and seasonal changes.
Shire of Broome — current beach access informationCable Beach and Other Coastal Locations
Vehicle access rules, permitted areas and seasonal closures vary between Broome's beaches. Advice that applies at Gantheaume Beach does not automatically apply at Cable Beach or other locations. Check the Shire of Broome's current guidance for the specific beach you plan to visit.
If you are hiring a vehicle, check your hire agreement before driving on any beach. Many hire agreements prohibit beach driving, and damage caused on the beach may not be covered by standard insurance.
Shire of Broome — beach access and vehicle rulesExploring at Low Tide
Low tide opens up parts of Broome's coastline that are otherwise submerged — rock platforms, tidal pools, shorebird flats and, at certain locations, dinosaur tracks. A few practical points before you head out:
- Check tide times, daylight hours and local access guidance before exploring exposed rocks or tidal flats. Know when the tide will turn and how quickly it rises.
- Allow plenty of time to return before rising water cuts off your access route. Tides in Broome can rise very quickly — a flat that seems distant from the water can be surrounded within minutes.
- Wear suitable footwear. Rock platforms and tidal flats are uneven, slippery and can be sharp. Thongs are not adequate for rocky areas.
- Protect the dinosaur tracks. Do not step on the edges of footprints, drive over them or remove sand from around them. The tracks are fragile and irreplaceable. Follow the guidance of the Dinosaur Coast Management Group.
- Follow current beach warnings and signage. Conditions change with weather, season and sand movement. A low tide does not automatically mean safe swimming or safe walking conditions.
- Not all dinosaur footprint locations are accessible at the same tide height. Some require a very low spring tide. Check location-specific guidance before making a special trip.
Related guides on this site
Dinosaur Footprints at Gantheaume Point
Location details, visiting advice and guided tour options
Staircase to the Moon
When it happens, where to watch and what to expect
Broome Beaches
Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, Town Beach and more
Dinosaur Adventure Cruise
Guided boat tour to the dinosaur footprint sites at low tide
Broome Events & Seasonal Highlights
Staircase to the Moon dates and Broome's event calendar