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 49m 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 - Jun 1941

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Sun12:095.212:594.76:340.76:450.96:038:19First Quarter1Sun
2Mon1:035.31:515.07:260.67:470.86:038:20First Quarter2Mon
3Tue1:565.32:435.48:240.48:550.66:038:20First Quarter3Tue
4Wed2:505.43:385.89:240.110:000.46:038:21Waxing Gibbous4Wed
5Thu3:475.44:346.210:21-0.211:000.16:028:21Waxing Gibbous5Thu
6Fri4:465.45:316.511:15-0.411:57-0.26:028:22Waxing Gibbous6Fri
7Sat5:465.56:286.712:09-0.66:028:22Waxing Gibbous7Sat
8Sun6:465.57:236.912:54-0.41:04-0.66:028:23Full Moon8Sun
9Mon7:425.58:156.91:50-0.52:00-0.66:028:23Full Moon9Mon
10Tue8:375.59:076.72:44-0.62:54-0.56:028:24Full Moon10Tue
11Wed9:315.310:016.43:37-0.53:48-0.36:028:24Waning Gibbous11Wed
12Thu10:295.110:596.14:28-0.34:400.06:028:25Waning Gibbous12Thu
13Fri11:315.011:575.75:18-0.15:340.36:028:25Waning Gibbous13Fri
14Sat12:304.96:080.16:280.66:028:25Waning Gibbous14Sat
15Sun12:525.41:234.96:570.37:250.86:028:26Third Quarter15Sun
16Mon1:425.12:114.97:470.58:271.06:028:26Third Quarter16Mon
17Tue2:294.82:575.08:380.59:271.06:028:26Third Quarter17Tue
18Wed3:154.63:435.09:280.510:191.06:028:27Third Quarter18Wed
19Thu4:014.54:285.110:140.511:050.96:028:27Waning Crescent19Thu
20Fri4:484.45:145.110:580.411:490.96:038:27Waning Crescent20Fri
21Sat5:374.36:005.211:410.46:038:27Waning Crescent21Sat
22Sun6:264.46:445.312:330.712:250.36:038:28Waning Crescent22Sun
23Mon7:114.47:255.41:170.61:090.36:038:28New Moon23Mon
24Tue7:534.48:035.52:010.51:530.36:048:28New Moon24Tue
25Wed8:324.48:405.52:440.42:360.36:048:28New Moon25Wed
26Thu9:114.49:195.43:250.43:180.36:048:28New Moon26Thu
27Fri9:544.410:025.44:050.34:010.36:048:28Waxing Crescent27Fri
28Sat10:454.410:525.24:460.34:470.46:058:28Waxing Crescent28Sat
29Sun11:414.611:465.25:280.25:350.46:058:28Waxing Crescent29Sun
30Mon12:374.86:120.16:280.46:068:28First Quarter30Mon
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