Tides Today & Tomorrow in Sunset Beach, NC

TIDE TIMES for Thursday, August 20, 2026
The tide is currently rising in Sunset Beach, NC.
Next low tide : 8:32 pm (1.2 ft)
Next high tide : in 3h 09m at 2:19 pm (4.6 ft)
Sunset today : 7:55 pm
Sunrise tomorrow : 6:39 am
Moon phase : First Quarter (55% illuminated)
Tide Station Location : Station #8659897
Common Questions About Tides

Sunset Beach, NC Tides - Feb 1943

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Mon4:455.74:594.811:150.111:28-0.58:116:44Waning Crescent1Mon
2Tue5:466.16:025.112:13-0.38:106:45Waning Crescent2Tue
3Wed6:446.47:015.412:26-0.81:08-0.68:096:46New Moon3Wed
4Thu7:386.77:555.71:21-1.12:01-0.98:096:47New Moon4Thu
5Fri8:286.88:455.82:15-1.22:51-1.08:086:48New Moon5Fri
6Sat9:176.69:355.73:06-1.13:39-0.98:076:48Waxing Crescent6Sat
7Sun10:086.310:285.53:56-0.94:26-0.88:066:49Waxing Crescent7Sun
8Mon11:015.811:255.34:46-0.65:13-0.58:056:50Waxing Crescent8Mon
9Tue11:575.45:37-0.15:59-0.18:046:51Waxing Crescent9Tue
10Wed12:225.112:525.06:300.46:480.28:036:52First Quarter10Wed
11Thu1:175.01:454.67:300.87:430.58:036:53First Quarter11Thu
12Fri2:114.92:374.48:391.18:450.78:026:54First Quarter12Fri
13Sat3:054.83:304.29:481.29:460.78:016:55First Quarter13Sat
14Sun3:594.74:244.210:431.110:390.68:006:56Waxing Gibbous14Sun
15Mon4:544.85:174.311:301.011:270.57:596:57Waxing Gibbous15Mon
16Tue5:454.96:084.512:140.97:586:58Waxing Gibbous16Tue
17Wed6:325.16:534.612:120.312:550.77:576:59Waxing Gibbous17Wed
18Thu7:135.27:334.812:550.21:350.67:567:00Full Moon18Thu
19Fri7:485.48:084.91:360.12:130.47:547:01Full Moon19Fri
20Sat8:215.48:415.02:150.12:490.47:537:02Full Moon20Sat
21Sun8:535.49:155.02:520.13:230.37:527:02Full Moon21Sun
22Mon9:255.39:515.03:300.23:570.47:517:03Waning Gibbous22Mon
23Tue10:025.110:345.04:080.34:320.47:507:04Waning Gibbous23Tue
24Wed10:455.011:255.04:480.45:090.57:497:05Waning Gibbous24Wed
25Thu11:364.85:330.65:510.57:487:06Waning Gibbous25Thu
26Fri12:235.112:344.76:250.76:420.67:467:07Third Quarter26Fri
27Sat1:225.31:334.77:270.87:470.67:457:08Third Quarter27Sat
28Sun2:225.42:364.78:430.89:040.47:447:09Third Quarter28Sun
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 5:25 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 neap phase. Tonight's moon is 55% 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 near their weekly minimum.

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 (55% illuminated). This places Sunset Beach, NC in a neap tide cycle, so tidal ranges are near their weekly minimum 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