Rare Super Blue Moon triggers calls for caution along SA’s coast

South Africa’s NSRI are appealing to the public to be cautious around the coastline during the full moon Spring tide that has already begun, and will peak during the full moon period over the 30^th and 31^st of August.

A blue moon is when a second full moon appears during the same month, and this month’s Blue Moon will be a supermoon… because the moon is closer to Earth than normal.

The last Blue Moon was in October 2020 when Nigel Riley captured the awesome photo on this page of the Blue Moon Supermoon rising over iconic Kalk Bay Harbour.

This week’s Blue Moon is also the third of four supermoons in a row and this one will be the biggest full supermoon of 2023 (because it’s the closest to Earth).
 
The NSRI said in a statement today (29 Aug 2023) that this rare Blue Moon Supermoon also coincides with planet Saturn, which can seen in the sky near to the moon. Saturn is also in her planetary position closest to the Earth for 2023.

As is normal this full moon brings the Spring tide – where high tide is higher than normal and low tide is lower than normal.

Spring tides occur at full moon and at new moon every month, explains the NSRI.

Spring tide can have an increased affect on the strength of rip currents and caution is advised.
 
“NSRI are appealing to bathers, coastal hikers, shoreline anglers, boaters, sailors, paddlers and the maritime community to be cautious around our coastline during this full blue supermoon’s Spring tide,” said the NSRI.
 
“Already you will have noticed the growing Spring tide’s high tide higher than normal and the growing Spring tide’s low tide lower than normal – building gradually over the past few days.”
 
The full affect of this Super Moon Blue Moon Spring Tide peaks during the full moon period over the 30^th and 31^st of August / and then gradually begins to decline over the next few days into the new week.
 
Together with winter rough sea conditions that are prevailing around our coastline with cold fronts that have past in recent days and weeks and with storms prevailing deep sea off the South African coastline – NSRI are appealing to the public around our coastline to be cautious during this Spring tide.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – support them here: www.nsri.org.za