Tides Today & Tomorrow in Wilmington, NC

TIDE TIMES for Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The tide is currently falling in Wilmington, NC.
Next low tide : in 3h 31m at 10:49 pm (0.6 ft)
Next high tide (tomorrow) : 4:30 am (4.2 ft)
Sunset today : 8:21 pm
Sunrise tomorrow : 6:15 am
Moon phase : First Quarter (52% illuminated)
Tide Station Location : Station #8658120
Common Questions About Tides

Wilmington, NC Tides - Oct 1980

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Wed3:554.74:335.110:170.411:100.67:066:56Third Quarter1Wed
2Thu4:504.75:265.111:160.47:076:54Third Quarter2Thu
3Fri5:444.86:195.112:050.512:130.57:086:53Waning Crescent3Fri
4Sat6:384.87:105.112:580.51:070.47:086:51Waning Crescent4Sat
5Sun7:304.97:595.11:480.41:590.47:096:50Waning Crescent5Sun
6Mon8:215.08:465.12:350.32:490.37:106:49Waning Crescent6Mon
7Tue9:085.19:295.13:200.33:350.37:116:47New Moon7Tue
8Wed9:525.210:095.04:020.34:200.47:116:46New Moon8Wed
9Thu10:345.110:484.94:410.45:030.47:126:45New Moon9Thu
10Fri11:135.111:234.75:180.45:450.57:136:43New Moon10Fri
11Sat11:475.011:534.55:510.56:240.67:146:42Waxing Crescent11Sat
12Sun12:104.96:210.67:010.87:146:41Waxing Crescent12Sun
13Mon12:064.412:074.96:480.67:390.97:156:40Waxing Crescent13Mon
14Tue12:254.412:394.97:190.68:211.07:166:38Waxing Crescent14Tue
15Wed1:064.41:264.97:580.69:121.07:176:37First Quarter15Wed
16Thu1:594.32:254.98:490.710:121.07:186:36First Quarter16Thu
17Fri3:074.43:414.99:560.711:150.97:196:35First Quarter17Fri
18Sat4:274.45:055.011:130.67:196:33First Quarter18Sat
19Sun5:384.66:145.112:150.612:250.57:206:32Waxing Gibbous19Sun
20Mon6:444.87:185.21:130.41:310.37:216:31Waxing Gibbous20Mon
21Tue7:465.18:175.32:080.12:320.07:226:30Waxing Gibbous21Tue
22Wed8:445.49:105.33:01-0.23:30-0.27:236:29Full Moon22Wed
23Thu9:385.610:025.33:52-0.44:26-0.37:246:28Full Moon23Thu
24Fri10:305.710:535.24:43-0.55:20-0.37:246:27Full Moon24Fri
25Sat11:245.611:465.05:32-0.56:13-0.37:256:25Waning Gibbous25Sat
26Sun11:195.511:414.95:21-0.46:05-0.16:265:24Waning Gibbous26Sun
27Mon12:165.46:10-0.26:570.16:275:23Waning Gibbous27Mon
28Tue12:384.71:135.27:000.07:500.36:285:22Waning Gibbous28Tue
29Wed1:354.62:105.17:530.38:450.46:295:21Third Quarter29Wed
30Thu2:314.63:044.98:490.59:410.56:305:20Third Quarter30Thu
31Fri3:264.63:564.99:480.610:350.56:315:19Third Quarter31Fri
DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
Tidal Data Source: (8658120)

Common Questions About Wilmington, NC Tides

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What time does the tide turn (slack tide) in Wilmington, NC today?

Slack tide in Wilmington, NC is approximately 1:39 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 Wilmington, NC?

Wilmington, NC is currently in a neap phase. Tonight's moon is 52% 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?

Tide predictions for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?

Tide data for Wilmington, NC is sourced from NOAA Station #8658120. View the official NOAA station page at https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=8658120.

What is the moon phase in Wilmington, NC tonight?

Tonight the moon over Wilmington, NC is First Quarter (52% illuminated). This places Wilmington, 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