High Tide
Low Tide
It's like one of those cool before and after pictures of a house renovation and if you're like me, you're comparing the rocks in the center of the picture to get an idea of the scale of the difference of the water levels here (at high tide those horses would be surfing). When we first moved here we thought Panama was one of those areas with extreme tidal changes but in reality we are just on the high side of average. That sounds like a nice way of saying you're not really that cool. When we check-in our guests we give them the beach basics about the surf - why it's so awesome, and about the tides - when it's high tide you swim across to the beach and at low tide it's just over ankle deep (we also show them where to get a col-col). So, what gives? Why is that? It looks extreme but the tidal change on average here is about 10ft. Sometimes more, sometimes less. So, we all know the moon has something to do with the tides but get this - so does the sun!
"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" William Shakespeare
Little Miss Luna has about twice the strength of the sun when it comes to bossing around the tides of the ocean but when the two get together (new moon or full moon), the tidal changes are much more drastic. You may have heard this lately:
"Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together."
It turns out this is true in mother nature too! No surprise there, she's amazeballs. So anyways, the gravitational pulls, the large body of water being the Pacific Ocean, the geography of the coastline, and constriction of continents is what causes dramatic tidal ranges. Make sense? Great. Need a visual like me to understand this a bit better? Click the turtle below.
Speaking of turtles, they have begun nesting season again and the whales are back with their babies. You see, it really is incredible here all year round so c'mon down. We'd love to see you, and are excited to share this magical place with you.
Your Friends in Morrillo,
Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners and Hosts
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort
