Tides Today & Tomorrow in Sunset Beach, NC

TIDE TIMES for Friday, August 21, 2026
The tide is currently falling in Sunset Beach, NC.
Next low tide : in 4h 50m at 9:38 pm (1.2 ft)
Next high tide (tomorrow) : 3:16 am (3.6 ft)
Sunset today : 7:53 pm
Sunrise tomorrow : 6:40 am
Moon phase : First Quarter (65% illuminated)
Tide Station Location : Station #8659897
Common Questions About Tides

Sunset Beach, NC Tides - Jan 1940

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Mon12:045.25:48-0.16:27-0.47:195:15Third Quarter1Mon
2Tue12:515.11:034.96:560.17:33-0.37:195:16Third Quarter2Tue
3Wed1:505.22:014.78:090.28:38-0.37:195:17Third Quarter3Wed
4Thu2:485.33:024.59:160.29:37-0.37:195:17Waning Crescent4Thu
5Fri3:475.44:024.510:150.110:30-0.47:195:18Waning Crescent5Fri
6Sat4:445.55:004.511:080.011:19-0.47:195:19Waning Crescent6Sat
7Sun5:375.65:524.511:57-0.17:195:20New Moon7Sun
8Mon6:245.76:374.612:06-0.512:42-0.17:195:21New Moon8Mon
9Tue7:075.77:174.612:51-0.41:24-0.17:195:22New Moon9Tue
10Wed7:455.67:544.61:32-0.42:03-0.17:195:22New Moon10Wed
11Thu8:235.48:314.52:11-0.22:390.07:195:23Waxing Crescent11Thu
12Fri9:005.19:104.42:48-0.13:150.07:195:24Waxing Crescent12Fri
13Sat9:404.89:534.33:240.23:510.27:195:25Waxing Crescent13Sat
14Sun10:234.610:404.24:010.44:280.37:195:26Waxing Crescent14Sun
15Mon11:074.411:284.14:380.75:060.47:195:27First Quarter15Mon
16Tue11:534.25:200.95:490.57:195:28First Quarter16Tue
17Wed12:164.212:394.16:101.16:390.67:185:29First Quarter17Wed
18Thu1:054.31:284.07:171.17:390.67:185:30First Quarter18Thu
19Fri1:574.52:214.08:331.18:420.47:185:31First Quarter19Fri
20Sat2:524.73:184.19:370.89:380.17:175:32Waxing Gibbous20Sat
21Sun3:495.14:164.310:310.510:31-0.37:175:33Waxing Gibbous21Sun
22Mon4:465.55:124.611:230.111:23-0.67:175:34Waxing Gibbous22Mon
23Tue5:395.96:045.012:13-0.27:165:35Full Moon23Tue
24Wed6:296.26:545.412:15-0.91:02-0.57:165:36Full Moon24Wed
25Thu7:166.47:425.61:07-1.11:50-0.87:155:36Full Moon25Thu
26Fri8:046.48:335.71:58-1.22:37-0.97:155:37Waning Gibbous26Fri
27Sat8:536.29:285.72:48-1.13:25-0.97:145:38Waning Gibbous27Sat
28Sun9:475.910:285.63:40-0.84:14-0.87:145:39Waning Gibbous28Sun
29Mon10:465.511:305.54:34-0.55:06-0.57:135:40Waning Gibbous29Mon
30Tue11:475.25:31-0.16:03-0.37:125:41Third Quarter30Tue
31Wed12:305.412:464.96:360.27:080.07:125:42Third Quarter31Wed
DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
Tidal Data Source: (8659897)

Common Questions About Sunset Beach, NC Tides

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What time does the tide turn (slack tide) in Sunset Beach, NC today?

Slack tide in Sunset Beach, NC is approximately 12:27 am — midway between the next high and low tide, when tidal current is weakest. This is the preferred window for boat crossings, underwater visibility, and fishing in areas with strong currents.

Is this week a spring tide or neap tide in Sunset Beach, NC?

Sunset Beach, NC is currently in a transitional phase. Tonight's moon is 65% illuminated. Spring tides (largest swings) occur near new and full moons; neap tides (smallest swings) occur near first and third quarter moons. Tidal ranges this week are shifting between spring and neap.

What datum are Sunset Beach, NC tide heights measured from?

Tide heights on this page are measured from Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), the U.S. NOAA standard. A height of 0 ft represents the 19-year average of each day's lower low tide. Negative values indicate a "minus tide" — water levels below that long-term reference.

What factors can affect the tide predictions for Sunset Beach, NC?

Tide predictions for Sunset Beach, NC come from NOAA's harmonic analysis and are typically accurate within about ±10 minutes on timing and ±0.5 ft on height. Actual water levels can deviate further due to sustained winds, atmospheric pressure changes, river flow, and storm surge. During major weather events, be sure to check US Harbors weather pages for factors that could impact tidal predictions.

Which NOAA station provides tide data for Sunset Beach, NC?

Tide data for Sunset Beach, NC is sourced from NOAA Station #8659897. View the official NOAA station page at https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=8659897.

What is the moon phase in Sunset Beach, NC tonight?

Tonight the moon over Sunset Beach, NC is First Quarter (65% illuminated). This places Sunset Beach, NC in a transitional tide cycle, so tidal ranges are shifting between spring and neap this week.

US Harbors Tidal Data

The data in our tide charts, tide tables, and tide graphs is provided by NOAA and others. These predictions are derived mathematically from numerous inputs, including data from historical tide stations and nearby locations where sensors are actively recording. As shown in the tide graph at the top of this page, “Predicted” tides (blue) are what forecasting models expect to happen. “Observed” tides (red) are those recorded by local sensors in real time, overlaid on the predictions for direct comparison. We display Observed water levels for a select group of harbors including Portland, Maine, where a physical sensor monitors water levels in real time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TIDE DATA