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 5h 36m 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 - Jul 1941

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Tue12:415.11:305.17:010.07:280.56:068:28First Quarter1Tue
2Wed1:355.12:245.47:57-0.18:350.46:068:28First Quarter2Wed
3Thu2:295.03:195.78:59-0.29:430.26:078:28First Quarter3Thu
4Fri3:275.04:165.910:00-0.410:450.06:078:28Waxing Gibbous4Fri
5Sat4:275.05:146.110:58-0.511:43-0.26:088:28Waxing Gibbous5Sat
6Sun5:305.06:136.311:54-0.66:088:28Waxing Gibbous6Sun
7Mon6:315.07:096.412:40-0.412:49-0.76:098:28Full Moon7Mon
8Tue7:285.18:016.41:35-0.51:44-0.76:098:28Full Moon8Tue
9Wed8:215.18:506.32:27-0.62:37-0.66:108:27Full Moon9Wed
10Thu9:115.09:406.03:17-0.63:28-0.46:108:27Waning Gibbous10Thu
11Fri10:034.910:315.74:04-0.44:17-0.26:118:27Waning Gibbous11Fri
12Sat10:574.811:235.34:49-0.35:050.16:128:26Waning Gibbous12Sat
13Sun11:514.75:32-0.15:520.46:128:26Waning Gibbous13Sun
14Mon12:154.912:434.76:140.16:410.76:138:26Third Quarter14Mon
15Tue1:034.61:304.76:580.37:340.96:138:25Third Quarter15Tue
16Wed1:484.42:164.77:450.48:331.06:148:25Third Quarter16Wed
17Thu2:334.23:004.78:370.49:331.16:158:24Third Quarter17Thu
18Fri3:194.13:464.79:300.410:261.06:158:24Waning Crescent18Fri
19Sat4:074.04:344.810:200.411:150.86:168:23Waning Crescent19Sat
20Sun4:594.05:244.911:080.36:178:23Waning Crescent20Sun
21Mon5:514.16:125.112:010.711:54 AM0.26:178:22Waning Crescent21Mon
22Tue6:404.26:575.312:480.512:410.16:188:22New Moon22Tue
23Wed7:254.37:395.41:330.31:270.06:198:21New Moon23Wed
24Thu8:064.58:195.52:170.12:13-0.16:198:20New Moon24Thu
25Fri8:474.68:595.52:590.02:58-0.26:208:20New Moon25Fri
26Sat9:314.79:425.43:40-0.23:43-0.26:218:19Waxing Crescent26Sat
27Sun10:214.810:305.34:21-0.34:31-0.16:218:18Waxing Crescent27Sun
28Mon11:165.011:245.15:04-0.35:20-0.16:228:18Waxing Crescent28Mon
29Tue12:145.15:50-0.46:130.16:238:17First Quarter29Tue
30Wed12:215.01:115.36:39-0.37:120.26:248:16First Quarter30Wed
31Thu1:184.92:075.57:36-0.38:200.36:248:15First Quarter31Thu
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