How often do high and low tides typically occur?

High and low tides typically occur twice daily due to the gravitational pull of the moon and, to a lesser extent, the sun. This gravitational influence creates bulges in the Earth's oceans, which correspond to high tide in the areas directly under the moon and the areas at right angles to this line, while other areas experience low tide. As the Earth rotates, different locations move in and out of these bulges, leading to the cycle of high and low tides generally happening around 12 hours apart for each cycle. This phenomenon results in most coastal areas experiencing two high tides and two low tides each day, reinforcing the understanding of tidal patterns and how they affect navigation and boating safety.