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 5h 29m 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 - Apr 1944

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Sat2:475.23:204.79:311.59:331.27:017:34First Quarter1Sat
2Sun3:415.14:124.810:241.410:281.16:597:35Waxing Gibbous2Sun
3Mon4:335.15:025.011:081.311:150.96:587:36Waxing Gibbous3Mon
4Tue5:235.15:495.211:481.111:590.86:577:36Waxing Gibbous4Tue
5Wed6:085.26:335.412:261.06:557:37Waxing Gibbous5Wed
6Thu6:495.37:125.512:400.71:040.86:547:38Waxing Gibbous6Thu
7Fri7:255.47:485.71:210.61:410.76:537:39Full Moon7Fri
8Sat7:595.48:215.72:000.62:170.76:517:39Full Moon8Sat
9Sun8:315.38:545.72:390.62:520.86:507:40Full Moon9Sun
10Mon9:045.19:295.73:180.63:270.86:497:41Full Moon10Mon
11Tue9:404.910:115.63:570.74:030.96:477:42Waning Gibbous11Tue
12Wed10:244.811:025.64:390.84:421.06:467:42Waning Gibbous12Wed
13Thu11:194.65:250.95:271.16:457:43Waning Gibbous13Thu
14Fri12:025.612:224.66:161.06:211.16:447:44Third Quarter14Fri
15Sat1:035.61:254.87:161.17:281.16:427:45Third Quarter15Sat
16Sun2:025.72:265.08:251.08:450.96:417:45Third Quarter16Sun
17Mon3:025.93:265.39:330.79:570.76:407:46Third Quarter17Mon
18Tue4:016.04:275.710:310.310:580.36:397:47Waning Crescent18Tue
19Wed4:596.25:256.111:240.011:530.06:387:48Waning Crescent19Wed
20Thu5:566.36:216.512:14-0.36:367:48Waning Crescent20Thu
21Fri6:516.47:136.812:47-0.21:04-0.46:357:49New Moon21Fri
22Sat7:426.48:016.91:40-0.31:53-0.46:347:50New Moon22Sat
23Sun8:306.28:486.82:32-0.32:40-0.36:337:51New Moon23Sun
24Mon9:195.89:356.63:22-0.13:270.06:327:51Waxing Crescent24Mon
25Tue10:105.510:266.24:110.14:130.36:317:52Waxing Crescent25Tue
26Wed11:075.111:235.85:000.55:010.66:307:53Waxing Crescent26Wed
27Thu12:074.85:500.95:500.96:287:54Waxing Crescent27Thu
28Fri12:225.51:054.76:431.26:441.26:277:55First Quarter28Fri
29Sat1:185.31:584.77:411.47:451.46:267:55First Quarter29Sat
30Sun2:105.12:484.88:421.58:501.46:257:56First Quarter30Sun
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