How to Use the NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP in Claude

Q: How do I connect the NOAA Tides & Currents API to Claude Desktop?

Open your claudedesktopconfig.json file. Add the MCP Server command and arguments under the mcpServers key, then restart the app to see the tools appear.

Q: Can Claude Desktop read live water temperatures via the NOAA Tides & Currents API?

Yes, the agent calls the getwatertemperature tool for any valid station ID. It returns the exact real-time thermal reading from that specific physical sensor.

Q: How does my agent predict high tides for specific ports?

It executes gettidepredictions using the station ID you provide. The tool outputs the exact timestamps and water heights for upcoming tidal cycles.

Pull live NOAA ocean data straight into Claude Desktop via this MCP Server for immediate tidal analysis.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect NOAA Tides & Currents API to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup NOAA Tides & Currents API with Claude Desktop

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Map coastal conditions in Claude Desktop

The `get_water_levels` and `get_water_temperature` tools feed real-time ocean metrics directly into your Claude Desktop chat. You ask about a specific NOAA station, and your agent queries the physical sensors to return exact water heights and thermal readings. You don't have to navigate government portals or download CSV files. Claude pulls the raw telemetry, formats the data, and builds an immediate operational picture of current harbor conditions.

Forecast tidal windows automatically

The `get_tide_predictions` tool gives your AI client direct access to NOAA's high and low tide forecasts. If you need to plan a transit or schedule coastal construction, the agent retrieves the exact time and height predictions for your target station. It combines this predictive data with `get_air_temperature` readings to give you a complete environmental profile. You get hard numbers on when the water peaks and drops, straight from the source.

Verify NOAA system uptime

The `check_api_status` tool lets your agent confirm the government servers are actually responding before attempting massive data pulls. Nothing wastes time like querying a dead endpoint, so Claude checks the heartbeat first. If the coastal sensors go offline, you know immediately. This MCP server ensures your tidal analysis relies on active, verified connections rather than cached or broken data streams.

Setup guide

Set up NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under noaa-tides-currents-api-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "noaa-tides-currents-api-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by NOAA Tides & Currents. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect NOAA Tides & Currents API now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about NOAA Tides & Currents API MCP in Claude Desktop

Open your `claude_desktop_config.json` file. Add the MCP Server command and arguments under the `mcpServers` key, then restart the app to see the tools appear.

Yes, the agent calls the `get_water_temperature` tool for any valid station ID. It returns the exact real-time thermal reading from that specific physical sensor.

The government endpoint might be down or rate-limiting your IP. Ask Claude to run `check_api_status` to confirm the external service is operational before troubleshooting your local config.

It executes `get_tide_predictions` using the station ID you provide. The tool outputs the exact timestamps and water heights for upcoming tidal cycles.

No. When Claude requests station IDs or timestamp ranges for water levels, the parameters pass directly to the government endpoints in memory. The system writes zero logs to disk, ensuring your specific geographic interests remain private.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript