King Tides bring ideal tide pooling conditions to San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The biggest supermoon of the year shone above San Diego County on Wednesday, causing the return of King Tides through Friday.

"A King Tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) website says. "Tides are long-period waves that roll around the planet as the ocean is 'pulled' back and forth by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun as these bodies interact with the Earth in their monthly and yearly orbits."

King Tides also result in exceptionally low tides, which create ideal tide pooling conditions. San Diegans reported and posted clear sightings of several creatures in local tide pools during negative tides on Wednesday, including octopi in La Jolla.

According to NOAA, the lowest tide on Thursday is -1.33 feet at 3:47 p.m., and the lowest tide on Friday is -1.23 feet at 4:41 p.m.

There is one more chance to witness an extreme King Tide this week: 6.87 feet at 9:16 a.m. on Friday. Some of the best places to witness high tides are the Birch Aquarium and Sunset Cliffs Natural Reserve.

Here are a few tide pools in San Diego County (North to South):

1. Terramar Beach Tide Pools (Carlsbad)
2. Swami's State Beach Tide Pools (Encinitas)
3. Cardiff State Beach Tide Pools (Encinitas)
4. Dike Rock Tide Pools (La Jolla)
5. Ocean Beach Tide Pools (Ocean Beach)
6. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Tide Pools (Point Loma)
7. Cabrillo National Monument Tide Pools (Point Loma)

Advisories are in effect for all San Diego County beaches until late Friday night, as King Tides bring larger surf and minor coastal flooding.

The next supermoon event is on Thursday, Dec. 4.