This NASA page has some really cool simple visualizations of how tides work. They are kind of strange in ways you don't expect.

https://science.nasa.gov/moon/tides/

Now think about pouring a bucket of water out on a table. It’s easier to slide the water around on the table rather than lift it directly upwards. When the Moon’s gravity pulls at Earth, the water doesn’t float outward, it just gets pushed and squeezed around on the globe, directed by both gravitational pull and other forces, until it ultimately ends up bulging out on the side closest to the Moon and the side farthest away.

I don't know how to upload gifs to lemmy but check them out on the NASA page they are very satisfying and cool and explain the science wonderfully!