What describes the predictable rise and fall of ocean water at a specific location?

The term that describes the predictable rise and fall of ocean water at a specific location is tide. Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans. As these celestial bodies move in relation to the Earth, their gravitational forces create bulges of water that result in high and low tides at various locations around the planet.

Tides occur on a regular schedule and can generally be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. This rhythmic movement of water is essential information for various activities such as fishing, boating, and beachcombing, as well as for understanding coastal ecosystems.

In contrast to tides, wave action refers to the surface movements of waves generated mostly by wind against the water's surface, while a rip tide is a specific water current that can pull swimmers away from shore. Current cycles describe continual flows of water in the ocean or rivers, which differ from the periodic nature of tides.