Tides Today & Tomorrow in Wilmington, NC

TIDE TIMES for Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The tide is currently rising in Wilmington, NC.
Next low tide : 10:08 am (0.1 ft)
Next high tide : in 1h 13m at 3:42 am (4.3 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 - Mar 1981

DateHigh TideLow TideSunMoonDate
AMftPMftAMftPMftRiseSet
1Sun5:114.05:323.611:570.311:540.16:406:07Waning Crescent1Sun
2Mon6:094.16:283.812:520.16:396:08Waning Crescent2Mon
3Tue7:054.37:214.012:54-0.21:44-0.16:376:09Waning Crescent3Tue
4Wed7:554.58:094.21:51-0.42:33-0.46:366:10Waning Crescent4Wed
5Thu8:414.68:554.42:45-0.63:21-0.66:356:11New Moon5Thu
6Fri9:254.79:394.63:37-0.84:08-0.76:336:12New Moon6Fri
7Sat10:104.710:264.74:28-0.94:54-0.86:326:13New Moon7Sat
8Sun10:584.611:164.75:19-0.95:40-0.86:316:13Waxing Crescent8Sun
9Mon11:494.56:10-0.86:26-0.86:306:14Waxing Crescent9Mon
10Tue12:114.712:454.37:04-0.67:15-0.66:286:15Waxing Crescent10Tue
11Wed1:124.61:444.28:01-0.48:09-0.46:276:16First Quarter11Wed
12Thu2:154.62:444.19:02-0.29:09-0.36:266:17First Quarter12Thu
13Fri3:184.53:444.010:04-0.110:11-0.26:246:17First Quarter13Fri
14Sat4:194.44:424.111:04-0.111:13-0.26:236:18First Quarter14Sat
15Sun5:194.45:404.112:01-0.26:216:19Waxing Gibbous15Sun
16Mon6:174.46:364.312:12-0.212:55-0.36:206:20Waxing Gibbous16Mon
17Tue7:114.57:294.41:07-0.31:46-0.36:196:21Waxing Gibbous17Tue
18Wed8:004.58:174.61:59-0.42:33-0.46:176:21Full Moon18Wed
19Thu8:444.69:024.72:48-0.53:18-0.46:166:22Full Moon19Thu
20Fri9:264.59:454.73:34-0.53:59-0.36:156:23Full Moon20Fri
21Sat10:064.410:264.64:18-0.44:38-0.26:136:24Full Moon21Sat
22Sun10:454.311:064.64:59-0.35:13-0.16:126:24Waning Gibbous22Sun
23Mon11:234.111:424.55:38-0.15:440.06:116:25Waning Gibbous23Mon
24Tue11:594.06:150.06:100.26:096:26Waning Gibbous24Tue
25Wed12:134.412:333.96:520.26:350.26:086:27Waning Gibbous25Wed
26Thu12:284.31:063.87:320.47:060.36:066:28Waning Gibbous26Thu
27Fri12:504.21:483.78:180.57:500.46:056:28Third Quarter27Fri
28Sat1:374.22:473.79:160.68:500.46:046:29Third Quarter28Sat
29Sun2:454.23:483.810:180.610:050.46:026:30Third Quarter29Sun
30Mon4:064.24:483.911:180.411:190.36:016:31Third Quarter30Mon
31Tue5:164.35:494.112:150.26:006:31Waning Crescent31Tue
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 6:55 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