Located in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region, the town of Derby is known for more than its picturesque landscapes and rugged outback charm—it’s also home to one of the world’s largest tidal ranges. Every day, Derby’s tides rise and fall dramatically, with the water levels shifting by up to 11.8 meters (nearly 39 feet), creating a spectacle that attracts visitors from around the globe. But what causes these massive tides, and how can you experience them? Here’s everything you need to know about Derby’s tides and why they’re one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena.What Causes Derby’s Massive Tides?Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth’s oceans. As the Earth rotates, different areas of the planet are closer to the moon or the sun at any given time, causing the water to bulge out in those regions and creating high and low tides. While tides are a common phenomenon around the world, the size of tidal ranges can vary dramatically based on location and local geography.Derby experiences what are known as spring tides, which occur when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun align to create a more extreme difference between high and low tides. The vast tidal range in Derby is primarily due to the unique shape and shallow nature of King Sound, the body of water into which Derby’s coastline opens. King Sound acts like a funnel, amplifying the tidal movements as water is pushed into the narrowing bay. The result is an incredibly fast and dramatic rise and fall of the water levels—some of the largest in the world.Image © Tourism Western AustraliaHow Big Are Derby’s Tides?Derby’s tides are not just big; they’re among the largest on the planet. The tidal range here can reach up to 11.8 meters (nearly 39 feet) during peak spring tides, making it the largest tidal variation in Australia and one of the largest anywhere in the world.