Waning Crescent
February 27, 2025
A waning crescent is the late lunar phase between the last quarter and the New Moon, when only a thinning crescent is illuminated and it rises shortly before sunrise. For mariners, it means limited moonlight for most of the night, with any natural light mainly available before dawn on the eastern horizon.
The practical effect is visibility and tide timing. Darker watches can make unlit buoys, lobster pots and shoreline hazards harder to identify, so check Navigation Lights and radar targets carefully. Tidal range is increasing towards New Moon and Spring Tide, so verify depth, clearance and tidal streams before crossing bars or entering shallow harbours.
PredictWind forecasts do not treat the moon phase as a weather driver, but it is relevant when combining tide, visibility and routing decisions. Use tidal charts and stream information alongside wind, wave and rain forecasts, then compare departure options with Departure Planning for safer coastal or offshore passages.
