KMFRI provides tidal prediction services for Kenya's coast using data from tidal gauge stations operated in collaboration with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Predictions are essential for navigation safety, port operations, coastal engineering, and marine-resource management.
Tide tables are published annually and cover the port of Mombasa (Kilindini Harbour) and secondary ports along the Kenyan coastline. The Kenyan coast experiences a semi-diurnal tide regime – two high waters and two low waters each day, with a mean spring range of approximately 3.4 m.
Tidal Datums & Constants
Key tidal levels for Kenya's primary gauge stations (metres above Chart Datum)
| Tidal Level | Abbreviation | Mombasa (Kilindini) | Lamu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean High Water Springs | MHWS | 3.85 m | 3.35 m |
| Mean High Water Neaps | MHWN | 2.95 m | 2.60 m |
| Mean Sea Level | MSL | 2.15 m | 1.80 m |
| Mean Low Water Neaps | MLWN | 1.35 m | 1.00 m |
| Mean Low Water Springs | MLWS | 0.45 m | 0.25 m |
| Mean Spring Range | MSR | 3.40 m | 3.10 m |
All heights in metres above Chart Datum. Based on long-term harmonic analysis of tidal records. Published annually in the KMFRI Tide Tables.
Tidal Gauge Stations
Mombasa – Kilindini Harbour
4°04–²S | 39°39–²E
Kenya's principal tidal gauge, located in Kilindini Harbour. Continuous observations have been maintained since the 1930s, making it one of the longest sea-level records on the East African coast.
- Automated digital recording
- IOC Sea-Level Monitoring Facility (SLMF)
- Real-time data transmission
- Tsunami early-warning integration
Lamu Archipelago
2°16–²S | 40°54–²E
Secondary station serving the Lamu Archipelago and the LAPSSET corridor (Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport). Supports port operations planning and UNESCO World Heritage site monitoring.
- Semi-diurnal tide regime
- Supports LAPSSET port operations
- UNESCO heritage-site monitoring
- Northern coast regional coverage
Prediction Systems
IOC Sea-Level Station Monitoring Facility
IOC SLSMF
Global network maintained by the IOC providing near-real-time sea-level data and quality control.
- Real-time sea-level data from tide gauges
- Tsunami early-warning support
- Historical tidal records archive
- Quality-controlled observations
KMFRI Annual Tide Prediction Tables
KMFRI Tide Tables
KMFRI computes and publishes annual tide tables for Mombasa and secondary ports using harmonic analysis.
- Daily high / low tide times & heights
- Monthly tidal curves
- Tidal constants for secondary ports
- Available in PDF and print
UHSLC Quality-Controlled Sea-Level Data
UHSLC
University of Hawai'i Sea Level Center archives hourly and daily sea-level data for long-term trend analysis.
- Hourly & daily sea-level records
- Long-term trend analysis
- Research-quality dataset
- Freely accessible via online portal
Applications of Tidal Data
Port Operations
Safe vessel transit, berthing schedules, and under-keel clearance management at Mombasa and Lamu ports.
Navigation Safety
Passage planning and depth calculations for coastal and deep-sea vessels transiting Kenya's waters.
Fisheries
Tide-dependent artisanal fishing, reef access windows, and mariculture site planning along the coast.
Coastal Engineering
Design of seawalls, jetties, and coastal protection infrastructure using tidal datums and ranges.
Climate Research
Long-term sea-level trends, storm-surge modelling, and climate-change impact assessment on coastlines.
Tsunami Warning
Real-time anomaly detection integrated with the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning & Mitigation System.
Access Tidal Data
Obtain historical and current tidal datasets for research and operational planning.
Annual Tide Tables
Download the current year's tide prediction tables for Mombasa and secondary ports (PDF).
2026 Tide TablesIOC Sea-Level Facility
Real-time and historical sea-level observations from Kenya's IOC tide gauge network.
IOC PortalUHSLC Data Portal
Quality-controlled hourly and daily sea-level data from the University of Hawai'i Sea Level Center.
UHSLC Portal