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 2h 20m 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 - Apr 1941

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Tue10:104.610:175.03:591.14:081.26:016:34Waxing Crescent1Tue
2Wed11:024.411:105.04:391.34:491.36:006:35Waxing Crescent2Wed
3Thu11:544.45:241.55:371.45:586:35First Quarter3Thu
4Fri12:045.012:464.56:201.56:351.45:576:36First Quarter4Fri
5Sat12:595.21:384.77:291.47:441.25:566:37First Quarter5Sat
6Sun1:545.32:325.08:361.28:500.95:546:38First Quarter6Sun
7Mon2:505.63:275.49:320.99:490.55:536:38Waxing Gibbous7Mon
8Tue3:475.84:235.910:220.510:430.15:526:39Waxing Gibbous8Tue
9Wed4:436.15:176.411:110.111:36-0.25:506:40Waxing Gibbous9Wed
10Thu5:376.36:096.812:00-0.25:496:41Full Moon10Thu
11Fri6:286.46:597.112:30-0.512:51-0.45:486:41Full Moon11Fri
12Sat7:186.47:507.11:23-0.61:41-0.55:476:42Full Moon12Sat
13Sun8:106.28:427.02:16-0.52:33-0.45:456:43Waning Gibbous13Sun
14Mon9:055.99:416.73:09-0.43:25-0.25:446:44Waning Gibbous14Mon
15Tue10:085.610:446.44:03-0.14:200.25:436:44Waning Gibbous15Tue
16Wed11:155.411:486.25:000.25:200.55:426:45Waning Gibbous16Wed
17Thu12:195.36:010.56:250.85:406:46Third Quarter17Thu
18Fri12:485.91:185.27:070.87:360.95:396:47Third Quarter18Fri
19Sat1:455.82:135.28:120.88:430.95:386:47Third Quarter19Sat
20Sun2:405.63:065.39:070.89:390.85:376:48Waning Crescent20Sun
21Mon3:335.53:565.49:540.810:270.85:366:49Waning Crescent21Mon
22Tue4:235.44:435.610:350.711:100.75:346:50Waning Crescent22Tue
23Wed5:105.35:275.711:140.711:520.75:336:51Waning Crescent23Wed
24Thu5:525.36:065.811:520.65:326:51New Moon24Thu
25Fri6:325.36:435.812:320.712:310.65:316:52New Moon25Fri
26Sat7:085.27:165.81:100.71:090.65:306:53New Moon26Sat
27Sun8:435.18:495.71:480.82:470.76:297:54New Moon27Sun
28Mon9:184.99:225.63:250.93:240.96:287:54Waxing Crescent28Mon
29Tue9:564.710:005.44:021.04:021.06:277:55Waxing Crescent29Tue
30Wed10:414.510:455.34:411.14:411.26:267:56Waxing Crescent30Wed
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