Water Levels: How to Tell if It's Low or High Tide?

Changes in Water Levels are a Known Occurrence in Splatoon 3's Salmon Run Next Wave where the stage expands or shrinks depending on changes in the tide. Read on to learn how to tell if it's low or high tide during this special wave, strategies for each water level change, as well as a list of maps for stages during low and high tide.

How to Tell if It's Low or High Tide

Water Level Known Occurrence

Water Levels
How to Get Golden Eggs	Defeat Boss Salmonids
Special Wave Information	During Low Tide, the water recedes and the map expands. More Lesser Salmonids appear in the expanded coastline. The location of the Egg Container often moves on the coastline during Low Tide. During High Tide, the water levels rise and submerges most parts of the map.

Tide Rises or Recedes at the Start of the Wave

A wave effect will appear at the start of the wave indicating the current water levels, with the wave going up or down depending if it's High or Low Tide.

Once the 3 Seconds Until the Wave Starts is displayed, then the transition of the tide is complete. Make sure to check the edges of the map, especially during High Tide, to avoid accidentally falling into the sea once the water level rises.

List of Wave Changes at the Start of the Wave

Low Tide	Normal	High Tide
View Full Image	View Full Image	View Full Image

Keep in mind that tide changes occur during the countdown, so you'll want to retreat to a safe spot - especially during High Tide!

Water Levels Overlap with Other Special Waves

Water Levels are the only known occurrence that overlaps with other special waves, with certain occurrences becoming easier or more challenging. Conversely, there are special waves that are restricted to certain water levels.

The Rush and Fog known occurrences become more difficult during high tide, while The Mothership special wave becomes easier to do during low tide when there's more room to navigate.

Special Waves that Overlap with Any Water Level

Rush	Fog	The Griller
Goldie Seeking	The Mothership	Mudmouth Eruption

Special Waves Restricted to Low Tide

Cohok Charge

Giant Tornado

Low Tide Strategies

Strategies for Low Tide
Ink the Coastline Immediately Take Advantage of the Open Space Avoid Venturing Near the Spawn Points Alone

Ink the Coastline Immediately

As soon as the water recedes, ink the coastline especially around the Egg Container so you and your teammates have plenty of space is swim and refill. More Lesser Salmonids appear during low tides, so inking a large area of turf can help even the odds!

It's also a good idea to ink the scaffolding and piers near the Salmonids' spawn points as these are very narrow and it's easy to get pushed into the sea by the Salmonids.

Take Advantage of the Open Space

In many maps during Low Tide, the expanded coastline has little to no walls or platforms where you can retreat to when the Salmonids are swarming.

You can use the open space to your advantage though as you have more room to lure out dangerous Boss Salmonids. The Steel Eel, in particular, is very vulnerable in open areas since it has no choke points to trap players in.

Avoid Venturing Near the Spawn Points Alone

It's not a good idea in general to hang out near Salmonid spawn points alone. During Low Tide, the Salmonids tend to spawn in greater numbers and their spawn points are located in narrow spots where it's easy to fall into the ocean.

If you're planning to camp the Salmonid spawn points, it's best to go with another player or call your team's attention with by pressing the Up D-Pad Button!

High Tide Strategies

Strategies for High Tide
Ink the Walls of Platforms Head Up Higher Ground Avoid Swimming on Wire Meshes

Ink the Walls of Platforms

Once the water levels go up, ink the walls of the stage! The Salmonids tend to spawn on the ground and it's easy to get trapped with no way out.

By inking the walls, you have an emergency exit to higher ground and can escape troublesome Boss Salmonids such as Maws with little difficulty.

Head Up Higher Ground

Always head up higher ground during High Tide as the limited ground can prove troublesome if the Salmonids manage to ink a large area of land.

Watch out for Fish Sticks since defeating them leaves tall pillars that you can use as vantage points, especially if you have a Splat Charger equipped!

Avoid Swimming on Wire Meshes

Many maps with wire mesh pathways have water underneath during High Tide. While it's safe to run across it, avoid swimming on the wire mesh or else you'll fall into the water!

Low and High Tide Map List

Sockeye Station Low and High Tide Maps

Low Tide	High Tide
Map Features
The coastline emerges from the upper side of the map Lesser and Boss Salmonids appear near the expanded coastline. The Egg Container will move to one of its locations on the coast.	The map shrinks and the coastline completely disappears. The lower levels on the upper part of the map are completely submerged. The Egg Container remains on its original location during High Tide.

Sockeye Salmon Station Map

Gone Fission Hydroplant Low and High Tide Maps

Low Tide	High Tide
Map Features
The coastline emerges from the upper side of the map The scaffolding near the piers are narrow and it's easy to fall into the water if you're not careful. The Egg Container will move to one of its locations on the coast.	The map shrinks and the coastline, as well as the outer portions of the map disappear. The safe parts of the map are restricted within the moderate elevation near the egg container. The Egg Container remains on its original location during High Tide.

Gone Fission Hydroplant Map

Spawning Grounds Low and High Tide Maps

Low Tide	High Tide
Map Features
The coastline emerges from the left side of the map Lesser and Boss Salmonids appear on the narrow parts of the coast. The Egg Container will move to one of its locations on the coast.	The map shrinks leaving only a few upper levels. The right side of the map has passageways with wire meshes where players can fall when swimming. The Egg Container remains on its original location during Normal Tide.

Spawning Grounds Map

Splatoon 3 Related Guides

All Known Occurrences (Special Waves)

List of Known Occurrences

Water Levels	Rush	Fog
The Griller	Cohok Charge	Goldie Seeking
The Mothership	Mudmouth Eruption	Giant Tornado