Tides Today & Tomorrow in Sunset Beach, NC

TIDE TIMES for Thursday, August 20, 2026
The tide is currently falling in Sunset Beach, NC.
Next low tide : in 4h 58m at 7:35 am (0.7 ft)
Next high tide : 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 - Mar 1944

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Wed1:245.41:554.87:460.87:550.67:427:10First Quarter1Wed
2Thu2:215.32:514.69:001.19:030.87:417:11First Quarter2Thu
3Fri3:195.13:484.510:071.110:050.87:397:12First Quarter3Fri
4Sat4:165.14:434.511:011.110:580.77:387:12Waxing Gibbous4Sat
5Sun5:125.15:354.711:461.011:450.57:377:13Waxing Gibbous5Sun
6Mon6:035.16:234.812:270.97:367:14Waxing Gibbous6Mon
7Tue6:475.37:065.012:280.41:060.87:347:15Waxing Gibbous7Tue
8Wed7:255.47:445.21:100.31:430.77:337:16Full Moon8Wed
9Thu7:595.48:185.31:490.32:190.67:327:17Full Moon9Thu
10Fri8:305.48:515.32:270.32:530.67:307:17Full Moon10Fri
11Sat9:005.39:235.23:030.43:260.67:297:18Full Moon11Sat
12Sun9:315.19:575.13:390.53:580.77:287:19Waning Gibbous12Sun
13Mon10:064.910:375.14:150.64:310.87:267:20Waning Gibbous13Mon
14Tue10:474.711:265.14:540.85:050.97:257:20Waning Gibbous14Tue
15Wed11:374.65:370.95:451.07:247:21Waning Gibbous15Wed
16Thu12:225.112:344.56:271.16:351.07:227:22Third Quarter16Thu
17Fri1:205.31:334.57:281.27:391.07:217:23Third Quarter17Fri
18Sat2:195.42:354.78:421.18:580.87:207:24Third Quarter18Sat
19Sun3:205.73:385.09:530.810:110.57:187:24Waning Crescent19Sun
20Mon4:226.04:425.310:540.511:120.17:177:25Waning Crescent20Mon
21Tue5:236.35:435.811:480.17:167:26Waning Crescent21Tue
22Wed6:206.56:406.212:09-0.212:40-0.37:147:27Waning Crescent22Wed
23Thu7:136.77:326.51:03-0.51:31-0.57:137:27New Moon23Thu
24Fri8:036.88:226.71:57-0.72:20-0.67:127:28New Moon24Fri
25Sat8:526.69:106.72:49-0.63:07-0.67:107:29New Moon25Sat
26Sun9:426.310:006.53:39-0.53:54-0.47:097:30Waxing Crescent26Sun
27Mon10:355.810:556.24:30-0.14:420.07:077:30Waxing Crescent27Mon
28Tue11:345.411:545.85:210.35:300.47:067:31Waxing Crescent28Tue
29Wed12:345.06:150.76:220.77:057:32First Quarter29Wed
30Thu12:545.61:314.87:151.17:191.17:037:33First Quarter30Thu
31Fri1:515.32:264.78:241.48:261.27:027:33First Quarter31Fri
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 10:57 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 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