Kaktovik tides today
- Tide now 0.4 ft ↑ rising · high 2:46 pm (0.4 ft)
- Best time to fish 2:50–4:50 pm great day · 10/10
- Beach day Not today Not a beach day · 0/10
- Waves · water 0.7 ft · 29 °F smooth · 4.8 s from the west-northwest
- Wind · air 7 mph · 25 °F from the S, gusts 9 · partly cloudy
- Sun 9:49 am–4:46 pm 6 h 58 min of daylight
- Moon 90% waning gibbous
- Diving tomorrow 1:40–4:40 pm great day · 9/10
Today in Kaktovik there are high tides at 3:01 am (0.7 ft) and 2:46 pm (0.4 ft) and low tides at 9:44 am and 8:51 pm. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 2:46 pm. The sun rises at 9:49 am and sets at 4:46 pm: 6 h 58 min of daylight. The moon is 90% illuminated (waning gibbous). Major solunar periods run from 2:21 am to 4:21 am and from 2:53 pm to 4:53 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is smooth, with 0.7 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the south (7 mph). Partly cloudy, 25 °F.
Fishing in Kaktovik today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: high- Major period 2:53–4:53 pm
- Sunset at 4:46 pm, golden hour from 2:11 pm
- Falling pressure (−0.31 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (9 mph) and calm sea (0.7 ft waves)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- A major period lines up with sunset
Your day at a glance
The best window, 2:50 pm to 4:50 pm, combines a major period, sunset and falling pressure. Also good from 3:30 am to 4:20 am, with a major period and falling pressure.
The tide barely moves in Kaktovik, so it doesn't count in the rating. How it works · Next 7 days · Fishing rules
Beach day in Kaktovik
Is it a beach day?
- Calm for swimming: 0.7 ft waves
- Cloudy (82% cloud cover)
- Feels like 16 °F: chilly for the beach
- Light offshore wind (8 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Water at 29 °F (very cold)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 0.7 ft
0.7 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 29 °F
Very cold: ease in and keep swims short.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 0 · SPF 15
Max UV 0 (low): SPF 15 sunscreen.
- Wind 8 mph
Offshore breeze (8 mph). Watch floats and inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand
Kaktovik has almost no tide: the beach stays the same all day.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Kaktovik
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Kaktovik.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Kaktovik
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Kaktovik
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 3:01 am 0.7 ft
- ▼ Low tide 9:44 am 0.1 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 2:46 pm 0.4 ft
- ▼ Low tide 8:51 pm -0.1 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 50 min to high tide at 2:46 pm.
In Kaktovik the astronomical tide is very small: about 0.8 ft between high and low tide. Here the sea level is moved mostly by wind and air pressure (storm surge), which can raise or lower it more than the tide itself.
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on May 16 (0.7 ft) and the lowest, on March 22 (-0.1 ft).
Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 9:49 am · 4:46 pm | High tide 3:01 am · 0.7 ft | Low tide 9:44 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 2:46 pm · 0.4 ft | Low tide 8:51 pm · -0.1 ft | 90% | Major periods 2:21 am · 2:53 pm | High |
| Thu 29 | 9:53 am · 4:41 pm | High tide 3:42 am · 0.7 ft | Low tide 10:17 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 3:29 pm · 0.4 ft | Low tide 9:29 pm · 0.0 ft | 82% | Major periods 3:26 am · 3:58 pm | High |
| Fri 30 | 9:58 am · 4:36 pm | High tide 4:21 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 10:49 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 4:15 pm · 0.4 ft | Low tide 10:07 pm · 0.0 ft | 72% | Major periods 4:30 am · 5:01 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 10:03 am · 4:31 pm | High tide 5:00 am · 0.6 ft | Low tide 11:26 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 5:06 pm · 0.4 ft | Low tide 10:46 pm · 0.1 ft | 62% | Major periods 5:31 am · 6:00 pm | Low |
| Sun 1 | 9:08 am · 3:26 pm | High tide 4:45 am · 0.5 ft | Low tide 11:34 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 5:20 pm · 0.4 ft | Low tide 10:45 pm · 0.2 ft | Last quarter | Major periods 5:28 am · 5:55 pm | Low |
| Mon 2 | 9:14 am · 3:21 pm | High tide 5:47 am · 0.4 ft | Low tide 1:02 pm · 0.1 ft | High tide 7:20 pm · 0.4 ft | — | 39% | Major periods 6:20 am · 6:45 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 9:19 am · 3:16 pm | Low tide 1:43 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 7:04 am · 0.4 ft | Low tide 2:02 pm · 0.1 ft | High tide 9:04 pm · 0.4 ft | 29% | Major periods 7:08 am · 7:31 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Barter Island station (NOAA), 0.4 mi from Kaktovik. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Kaktovik
Sea stateSea state: smooth
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common0.3 ft
- Significant0.7 ft
- Highest expectedHighest1.4 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 1.4 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 1.4 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Offshore wind. The coast faces north and the wind blows from land out to sea: calm shore and clean waves, but watch the drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Thursday 29: 4.4 ft with a period of 5 s, from the west (moderate).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water is steady these days, with no sudden changes.
Water colder than normal for late October (−1.2 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 1:55 pm (local time).
Surf in Kaktovik today
Surf today
Flat- Barely any waves (0.7 ft sets): flat
- Light offshore wind (9 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- First or last light of the day
It’s flat today: almost no waves reach this coast.
- Light: First light 8:37 am · sunrise 9:49 am · sunset 4:46 pm · last light 5:58 pm
- Tide: We don’t have a reliable tide to show here.
- Water at 29.3 °F: a 6/5 hooded fullsuit with booties and gloves.
- Energy: 1 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, has light offshore wind, though with barely any waves.
An estimate for this stretch of coast, not for a specific break: every beach or reef works its own way (its tide, bottom and angle). Check it when you get there.
Follow the flags and the lifeguards, and don’t paddle out if the surf is above your level: this score is a guide, not a substitute for what you see when you get there.
Diving in Kaktovik today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- 0.4 ft swell at 5 s from the west-northwest: barely any surge
- Light offshore wind (7 mph)
- 0.2 mph current toward the east, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: none; the tide doesn't count here
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 3.0 ft at 4 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 29.3 °F: a drysuit, with hood, gloves and booties.
- Snorkeling: good, calm sea and light wind.
- Night dive: dark from 5:58 pm. Waning gibbous (90%): a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 10:20 am to 1:20 pm, combines little swell, light wind, weak current and the sun high.
In Kaktovik the tide barely moves the water, so there's no slack to wait for: swell, wind and current are what count.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
We have no dive sites, dive shops or wrecks on record within 12 mi of Kaktovik.
If you know one, you can add it to OpenStreetMap and it will show up here after the next update. Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Weather in Kaktovik
Now in Kaktovik
- Low / high
- 23 / 25 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 0%
- Clouds
- 77%
- Humidity
- 73%
- Dew pointDew point
- 17 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 37
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling · now Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Falling now (−0.06 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.84 inHg. Falling pressure: anglers say fish feed more before the change. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy | Partly cloudy |
| Temperature | 23° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 24° | 24° |
| Wind (mph) | 9 SSW | 8 SSW | 8 S | 8 SW | 7 SW | 8 SSE | 11 SE | 13 SE |
| Gusts | 12 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 17 |
| Waves | 1.4 ft | 1.0 ft | 0.9 ft | 0.8 ft | 0.7 ft | 0.7 ft | 0.7 ft | 1.2 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 3:00 pm 25° 8 SSE 0.7 ft
- 6:00 pm 24° 11 SE 0.7 ft
- 9:00 pm 24° 13 SE 1.2 ft
- 12:00 am 22° 11 SE 1.6 ft
- 3:00 am 31° 4 WSW 1.6 ft
- 6:00 am 41° 25 W 2.7 ft
- 9:00 am 37° 23 W 4.0 ft
- 12:00 pm 35° 18 W 4.1 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 23 / 25 °F | 13 mph S | 1.5 ft | |
| Thu 29 | 16 / 42 °F | 30 mph WSW | 4.4 ft | |
| Fri 30 | 15 / 23 °F | 10 mph ESE | 2.4 ft | |
| Sat 31 | 19 / 33 °F | 10 mph WSW | 2.8 ft | |
| Sun 1 | 17 / 24 °F | 9 mph SW | 2.8 ft | |
| Mon 2 | 21 / 27 °F | 25 mph W | 2.8 ft | |
| Tue 3 | 14 / 22 °F | 14 mph SE | 2.8 ft | |
| Wed 4 | 17 / 22 °F | 12 mph ESE | 3.1 ft | |
| Thu 5 | 20 / 23 °F | 15 mph E | 3.4 ft | |
| Fri 6 | 18 / 21 °F | 17 mph ENE | 4.6 ft | |
| Sat 7 | 19 / 21 °F | 14 mph ENE | 4.1 ft | |
| Sun 8 | 20 / 25 °F | 19 mph ENE | 5.2 ft | |
| Mon 9 | 22 / 25 °F | 20 mph ENE | 6.2 ft | |
| Tue 10 | 22 / 26 °F | 23 mph ENE | 6.8 ft |
- Thu 29 Light drizzle 16° / 42° 4.4 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 15° / 23° 2.4 ft
- Sat 31 Light drizzle 19° / 33° 2.8 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 17° / 24° 2.8 ft
- Mon 2 Snow 21° / 27° 2.8 ft
- Tue 3 Light drizzle 14° / 22° 2.8 ft
- Wed 4 Overcast 17° / 22° 3.1 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore.
- The models They don't agree · low confidence: unsure about wind on Saturday 31. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: much warmer, normal rain and a slightly warmer sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+3.6 °F; normal high: 21 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 1:55 pm (local time).
The sun in Kaktovik
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 7:24 am
- Full dark 7:11 pm
- Civil dawn 8:37 am
- Civil dusk 5:58 pm
- Solar noon 1:18 pm (7° high)
- Daylight 6 h 58 min (−10 min)
- Evening golden hour 2:11 pm
- Full dark 7:11 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,350,127 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Kaktovik
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,428 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: high- 2:21–4:21 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:53–4:53 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 11:29 amNov 1 in 4 days
- New moon Sun, Nov 8 · 10:03 pmNov 8 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 2:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 5:54 amNov 24 in 27 days
Perigee on October 28, 226,426 mi away, coinciding with the spring tides from October 26 to 28: they will be stronger than usual.
Where to fish in Kaktovik
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
We have no piers, boat ramps or tackle shops on record within 9.3 mi of Kaktovik.
If you know one, you can add it to OpenStreetMap and it will show up here after the next update. Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: you need to go 1.5 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (900 ft from Kaktovik) out to sea, heading north.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.7 mi
- 33 ft deep1.5 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 0.7 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. Shallow near shore: you only reach 33 ft at 1.5 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
Rough estimate: here the data comes in cells of about 0.3 mi and misses details near shore (rocks, sandbars, small coves).
Source: NOAA ETOPO 2022 (CC0), cells of about 0.3 mi; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near KaktovikTides nearby
All places in Alaska, A to Z (305) →Kaktovik at a glance
- Town or city of about 239 people. Coordinates: 70.132° N, 143.624° W.
- It is 640 mi north of Anchorage, the main place in Alaska. The sun rises 31 min later and sets 82 min earlier than in Anchorage.
- The nearest tide station, Barter Island, is 0.4 mi to the southeast.
- Its coast faces north.
Questions about KaktovikQuestions
What time is sunset today in Kaktovik?
At 4:46 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 5:58 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Kaktovik?
At 9:53 am. First light comes at 7:27 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 90% illuminated. New moon on Sun, Nov 8 · 10:03 pm.
When are the next spring tides?
From October 26 to 28, together with the lunar perigee: they will be stronger than usual.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 2:21–4:21 am, Major 2:53–4:53 pm. Today's activity is high.
What's the weather like today in Kaktovik?
Overcast, from 23 °F to 25 °F, with a light breeze from the south (7 mph) and a 0% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Kaktovik?
Smooth (Douglas 2): 0.7 ft waves with a period of 4.8 s from the west-northwest. The water is 29.3 °F.
When is the best time to visit Kaktovik?
The best time to visit Kaktovik is from March to July: highs of -2 °F to 54 °F, about 5 rainy days a month and 8 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: NOAA station Barter Island (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).