Tides Today & Tomorrow in Sunset Beach, NC

TIDE TIMES for Friday, August 21, 2026
The tide is currently rising in Sunset Beach, NC.
Next low tide : 9:38 pm (1.2 ft)
Next high tide : in 5h 54m at 3:11 pm (4.6 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 - Dec 1940

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Sun8:326.38:504.92:18-0.92:57-0.77:015:05Waxing Crescent1Sun
2Mon9:235.99:444.63:06-0.73:44-0.47:025:05Waxing Crescent2Mon
3Tue10:175.510:414.43:54-0.34:31-0.17:025:05Waxing Crescent3Tue
4Wed11:135.111:384.34:420.15:170.27:035:05First Quarter4Wed
5Thu12:054.85:340.46:060.47:045:05First Quarter5Thu
6Fri12:314.212:554.56:320.77:000.57:055:05First Quarter6Fri
7Sat1:214.21:434.37:380.97:560.57:065:05First Quarter7Sat
8Sun2:114.32:324.28:420.98:500.47:065:05First Quarter8Sun
9Mon3:014.43:214.19:370.99:380.37:075:05Waxing Gibbous9Mon
10Tue3:514.54:124.110:240.710:230.27:085:05Waxing Gibbous10Tue
11Wed4:394.75:024.211:090.611:060.07:095:05Waxing Gibbous11Wed
12Thu5:244.95:474.311:530.411:48-0.17:095:06Waxing Gibbous12Thu
13Fri6:065.26:284.312:360.27:105:06Full Moon13Fri
14Sat6:435.37:064.412:30-0.21:170.17:115:06Full Moon14Sat
15Sun7:205.57:424.41:12-0.31:570.07:115:06Full Moon15Sun
16Mon7:575.58:214.41:52-0.32:37-0.17:125:07Full Moon16Mon
17Tue8:365.59:064.42:33-0.33:17-0.17:135:07Waning Gibbous17Tue
18Wed9:225.39:594.43:16-0.23:59-0.17:135:07Waning Gibbous18Wed
19Thu10:135.210:584.54:02-0.14:43-0.17:145:08Waning Gibbous19Thu
20Fri11:105.111:584.74:530.05:33-0.17:145:08Third Quarter20Fri
21Sat12:074.95:510.26:30-0.17:155:09Third Quarter21Sat
22Sun12:564.91:044.96:590.37:36-0.27:155:09Third Quarter22Sun
23Mon1:555.12:044.88:130.28:42-0.47:165:10Third Quarter23Mon
24Tue2:555.43:064.79:220.09:42-0.67:165:10Waning Crescent24Tue
25Wed3:555.74:084.810:22-0.210:37-0.87:175:11Waning Crescent25Wed
26Thu4:545.95:094.911:18-0.411:31-0.97:175:12Waning Crescent26Thu
27Fri5:496.16:055.012:12-0.67:175:12New Moon27Fri
28Sat6:406.36:565.012:23-1.01:03-0.77:185:13New Moon28Sat
29Sun7:276.27:425.01:12-0.91:50-0.77:185:14New Moon29Sun
30Mon8:126.08:274.81:59-0.82:34-0.67:185:14Waxing Crescent30Mon
31Tue8:585.79:154.62:44-0.63:17-0.47:195:15Waxing Crescent31Tue
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 6:24 pm — 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