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 1m at 8:38 am (0.8 ft)
Next high tide : 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 - Jan 1941

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Wed9:475.310:054.53:29-0.34:00-0.17:195:16Waxing Crescent1Wed
2Thu10:365.010:584.34:120.14:400.17:195:16Waxing Crescent2Thu
3Fri11:264.611:494.24:560.45:220.37:195:17First Quarter3Fri
4Sat12:134.45:430.76:080.47:195:18First Quarter4Sat
5Sun12:384.21:004.26:381.07:000.57:195:19First Quarter5Sun
6Mon1:274.21:474.07:451.17:590.57:195:20First Quarter6Mon
7Tue2:164.32:374.08:511.18:550.57:195:20Waxing Gibbous7Tue
8Wed3:074.43:304.09:460.99:460.37:195:21Waxing Gibbous8Wed
9Thu3:594.64:234.010:350.710:330.17:195:22Waxing Gibbous9Thu
10Fri4:494.95:134.211:220.511:18-0.17:195:23Waxing Gibbous10Fri
11Sat5:355.25:594.412:070.37:195:24Full Moon11Sat
12Sun6:185.56:404.612:03-0.312:510.07:195:25Full Moon12Sun
13Mon6:595.77:204.712:48-0.51:34-0.27:195:26Full Moon13Mon
14Tue7:385.88:024.91:32-0.62:15-0.37:195:27Full Moon14Tue
15Wed8:205.88:484.92:16-0.62:57-0.47:195:28Waning Gibbous15Wed
16Thu9:055.79:415.03:02-0.63:40-0.47:185:29Waning Gibbous16Thu
17Fri9:575.410:405.03:50-0.44:26-0.47:185:29Waning Gibbous17Fri
18Sat10:545.211:415.14:42-0.25:16-0.37:185:30Third Quarter18Sat
19Sun11:535.05:390.16:12-0.27:175:31Third Quarter19Sun
20Mon12:415.212:524.96:450.37:18-0.17:175:32Third Quarter20Mon
21Tue1:405.31:524.78:000.38:28-0.27:175:33Third Quarter21Tue
22Wed2:415.42:554.79:100.29:31-0.37:165:34Waning Crescent22Wed
23Thu3:425.63:584.710:110.110:27-0.47:165:35Waning Crescent23Thu
24Fri4:415.74:594.811:06-0.111:20-0.57:155:36Waning Crescent24Fri
25Sat5:375.95:534.911:58-0.27:155:37New Moon25Sat
26Sun6:276.06:415.012:10-0.612:45-0.37:145:38New Moon26Sun
27Mon7:116.07:245.112:57-0.61:29-0.37:145:39New Moon27Mon
28Tue7:535.98:045.01:41-0.52:10-0.37:135:40New Moon28Tue
29Wed8:335.68:444.92:23-0.42:48-0.27:125:41Waxing Crescent29Wed
30Thu9:145.39:264.73:02-0.13:250.07:125:42Waxing Crescent30Thu
31Fri9:564.910:124.63:400.24:020.27:115:43Waxing Crescent31Fri
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 11:54 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