Merritt Island today: waves, weather and sun
- Best time to fish 7:10–8:00 am average day · 5/10
- Beach day 9:00 am–1:00 pm Good beach day · 7/10
- Waves · water 2.9 ft · 76 °F slight · 8.6 s from the east-northeast
- Wind · air 6 mph · 73 °F from the NNE, gusts 15 · mainly clear
- Sun 7:32 am–6:40 pm 11 h 8 min of daylight
- Moon 84% · 9:43 pm waning gibbous · rises at 9:43 pm
- Best time to dive 10:30 am–1:30 pm good day · 8/10
- Pressure 30.00 inHg steady · steady tomorrow
- Coastal Flood Warning: significant flooding along the shore at high tide. Until 2:00 pm today. NWS Melbourne FL
- Rip Current Statement: dangerous rip currents at the beaches: swimming is risky. Until Mon 2, 1:00 am. NWS Melbourne FL
- High Surf Advisory: large breaking waves: take care on beaches, jetties and rocks. Until 2:00 am tomorrow. NWS Melbourne FL
Also in effect: Small Craft Advisory and Coastal Flood Advisory.
Today, Thursday, October 29, in Merritt Island the sun rises at 7:32 am and sets at 6:40 pm: 11 h 8 min of daylight. The moon is 84% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:43 pm. Major solunar periods run from 3:02 am to 5:02 am and from 3:35 pm to 5:35 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is slight, with 2.9 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the north-northeast (6 mph). Mainly clear, 73 °F.
Fishing in Merritt Island today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Major period 3:02–5:02 am
- Steady pressure (29.97 inHg), light onshore wind (7 mph) and some swell (3.1 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
Your day at a glance
The best window, 3:00 am to 5:00 am, combines a major period, a light onshore breeze and some swell. Also good from 7:10 am to 8:00 am, with sunrise, a light onshore breeze and some swell. Also good from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, with a major period, a light onshore breeze and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: striped mullet, spotted seatrout, red drum and sheepshead. October is one of the months when these are seen most: spotted seatrout and red drum. What you can catch
We don't show the tide for Merritt Island, so it doesn't count in the rating. How it works · Next 7 days · Fishing rules
Beach day in Merritt Island
Is it a beach day?
5 good hours- Official statement: Rip Current Statement (NWS Melbourne FL)
- Official statement: High Surf Advisory (NWS Melbourne FL)
- Sunny
- Feels like 86 °F: beach weather
- UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 76 °F (warm)
- Moderate onshore wind (12 mph): choppy water
- Swim with care: 2.9 ft waves every 8 s; high rip current risk (official statement)
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 2.9 ft
2.9 ft waves every 8 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. High rip current risk (official statement in effect). If you're caught in a rip current, don't swim against it: swim parallel to shore and wave for help. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 76 °F
Warm: very pleasant.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 5 · SPF 30
Max UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 14 mph
Moderate onshore wind (14 mph).
- Tide & sand
We don't show the tide for Merritt Island, so it doesn't count in the rating.
The best window, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, brings sunshine, beach weather and water at 76 °F, though with moderate wind and some waves. 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm can also work, with sunshine, beach weather and water at 76 °F, though with moderate wind and some waves.
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 Merritt Island
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Merritt Island.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Merritt Island
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Merritt Island
Tides in Merritt Island: not available yet
There is no tide station near Merritt Island, and we can't rely on the global tide model on this coast: for now we don't show its tide.
Meanwhile, see the tide in Angel City · 2.1 mi
The sun, moon, solunar periods and spring tides on this page do apply to this place.
The sea at Merritt Island
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.4 ft
- Significant2.9 ft
- Highest expectedHighest5.8 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 5.8 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 5.8 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-onshore wind. The coast faces east and the wind comes in from the sea at an angle: a bit more surf at the shore and drift along the coast, toward land.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Thursday 29: 3.3 ft with a period of 8 s, from the east-northeast (slight).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water warms over the next few days: about 77.2 °F by Wednesday 4.
Water colder than normal for late October (−1.8 °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 7:05 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 41113, courtesy of CDIP (Coastal Data Information Program, Scripps Institution of Oceanography), via the NOAA National Data Buoy Center.
Surf in Merritt Island today
Surf today
Fair- 2.2–3.4 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 2.7 ft swell at 8 s from the east-northeast, a bit short
- Light onshore wind (6 mph): a bit of chop
- First or last light of the day
- Light: First light 7:08 am · sunrise 7:32 am · sunset 6:40 pm · last light 7:04 pm
- Tide: We don’t have a reliable tide to show here.
- Water at 75.7 °F: boardshorts or a swimsuit and a rash guard.
- Energy: 87 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:08 am to 9:00 am, has a good size. 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm can also work, with a good size, though with a short-period swell.
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 Merritt Island today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- 2.4 ft swell at 8 s from the east-northeast: some surge on the bottom
- Moderate onshore wind (12 mph)
- 0.5 mph current toward the south-southwest, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: none; the tide doesn't count here
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 3.3 ft at 8 s) and rain (0.26 in) over the last few days have stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 75.7 °F: a 3 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: doable, with some waves or wind.
- Night dive: dark from 7:04 pm. Waning gibbous (84%), rising at 9:43 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, combines weak current and the sun high, though with moderate wind. Also good from 4:30 pm to 6:40 pm, with light wind and weak current. Also worth a look from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, with light wind and the sun high, though with current.
We don't have a reliable tide for Merritt Island, so slack water doesn't count in the rating.
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
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Port Canaveral 4.8 mi
- Wreck 9.7 mi
- Wreck 9.8 mi
- American Diver's International 0.9 mi
- Liveaboard Adventures 4.8 mi
- Dive Kwaj 11 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Wreck and reef positions are approximate and not for navigation; a wreck’s depth runs from the top of the hull to the seabed.
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). US wrecks: NOAA electronic navigational charts (ENC), a U.S. Government work; not for navigation.
Weather in Merritt Island
Now in Merritt Island
- Low / high
- 73 / 81 °F
- Rain
- 0.17 in · 18%
- Clouds
- 25%
- Humidity
- 89%
- Dew pointDew point
- 69 °F
- Visibility
- 8.9 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 47
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (+0.01 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: +0.07 inHg. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. 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 | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Mainly clear | Mainly clear | Light drizzle | Light drizzle | Clear sky | Clear |
| Temperature | 75° | 74° | 73° | 77° | 81° | 81° | 78° | 74° |
| Wind (mph) | 8 NNE | 7 N | 7 NNE | 10 NE | 12 ENE | 11 NE | 9 NE | 5 NNE |
| Gusts | 23 | 16 | 17 | 26 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 14 |
| Waves | 3.3 ft | 3.1 ft | 3.0 ft | 2.8 ft | 2.9 ft | 2.8 ft | 2.6 ft | 2.4 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 |
- 9:00 am 77° 10 NE 2.8 ft
- 12:00 pm 81° 12 ENE 2.9 ft
- 3:00 pm 81° 11 NE 2.8 ft
- 6:00 pm 78° 9 NE 2.6 ft
- 9:00 pm 74° 5 NNE 2.4 ft
- 12:00 am 74° 6 NNE 2.2 ft
- 3:00 am 74° 7 NE 2.1 ft
- 6:00 am 73° 8 NNE 2.0 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 73 / 81 °F | 14 mph NE | 3.3 ft | |
| Fri 30 | 73 / 83 °F | 16 mph NE | 2.4 ft | |
| Sat 31 | 74 / 82 °F | 17 mph ENE | 2.5 ft | |
| Sun 1 | 72 / 79 °F | 16 mph E | 2.7 ft | |
| Mon 2 | 70 / 79 °F | 15 mph ENE | 3.0 ft | |
| Tue 3 | 70 / 81 °F | 14 mph ENE | 3.0 ft | |
| Wed 4 | 69 / 82 °F | 10 mph ENE | 2.8 ft | |
| Thu 5 | 68 / 82 °F | 8 mph WSW | 1.8 ft | |
| Fri 6 | 66 / 80 °F | 9 mph WNW | 3.5 ft | |
| Sat 7 | 64 / 78 °F | 8 mph NNW | 3.8 ft | |
| Sun 8 | 63 / 78 °F | 9 mph NE | 3.8 ft | |
| Mon 9 | 60 / 77 °F | 7 mph ENE | 3.2 ft | |
| Tue 10 | 63 / 80 °F | 6 mph WSW | 2.8 ft | |
| Wed 11 | 60 / 79 °F | 5 mph NNE | 2.6 ft |
- Fri 30 Light drizzle 73° / 83° 2.4 ft
- Sat 31 Light rain 74° / 82° 2.5 ft
- Sun 1 Light rain 72° / 79° 2.7 ft
- Mon 2 Light showers 70° / 79° 3.0 ft
- Tue 3 Drizzle 70° / 81° 3.0 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 69° / 82° 2.8 ft
- Thu 5 Light drizzle 68° / 82° 1.8 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.
- Normal Today, normal highs for late October (81 °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 7:05 am (local time).
The sun in Merritt Island
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:41 am
- Full dark 7:32 pm
- Civil dawn 7:08 am
- Civil dusk 7:04 pm
- Solar noon 1:06 pm (48° high)
- Daylight 11 h 8 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 6:08 pm
- Full dark 7:32 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,330,140 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Merritt Island
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,746 mi away and looks 32′ 44″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 3:02–5:02 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 3:35–5:35 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:57–11:57 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 9:13–10:13 pm Minor · moonrise · medium 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 · 3:29 pmNov 1 in 3 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 amNov 9 in 11 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 6:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 9:54 amNov 24 in 26 days
Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.
Where to fish in Merritt Island
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Malcolm E. McLouth Fishing Pier 7.1 mi
- Cocoa Beach Pier 5.4 mi
- USCG 5.7 mi
- Kiwanis Island Park Boat Ramp Facilities: 2 lanes · 12 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · lighting · free 0.7 mi
- Griffis Landing - Intracoastal Waterway Park Facilities: 1 lane · 11 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · free 1.1 mi
- Wall Street Undeveloped Access (Small Boats - Use at Own Risk) Facilities: 1 lane · 6 trailer spaces · free · in poor condition 1.1 mi
- Lee Wenner Park Facilities: 4 lanes · 34 trailer spaces · restrooms · dock · lighting · free 2.0 mi
- Marina 1.9 mi
- Marina 2.1 mi
- Marina 2.5 mi
- Handler's Fishing Tackle 0.3 mi
- Doc's Bait House Fishing Tackle 1.2 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps. Boat ramp facilities: FWC-FWRI (Florida).
Water depth
Very shallowVery shallow and flat: even 3 mi from shore the water is less than 16 ft deep.
From the shoreline (1.8 mi from Merritt Island) out to sea, heading east.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deepnot within 3 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 3 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Very shallow: the water doesn't reach 16 ft within 3 mi. Cast far from the beach, ideally around high tide.
- 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3 mi. For deeper dives, take a boat farther out.
Inside bays, estuaries and harbors the bottom changes a lot from spot to spot (channels and shoals): use this only as a rough guide. There is land ahead (an island, a headland or the far shore) 3 mi out.
Source: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near Merritt IslandTides nearby
- Rockledge2.2 mi
- Cocoa3.7 mi
- Cocoa Beach5.6 mi
- Cape Canaveral6.1 mi
- Sharpes6.6 mi
- South Patrick Shores12 mi
- Palm Shores12 mi
- Satellite Beach14 mi
- Indian Harbour Beach16 mi
- Titusville19 mi
Merritt Island at a glance
- Town or city of about 34,743 people. Coordinates: 28.359° N, 80.690° W.
- It is 181 mi north of Miami, the main place in Florida. The sun rises 5 min later and sets 1 min earlier than in Miami.
- Its coast faces east.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Indian Cove Marina (1.1 mi), Cocoa Yacht Basin (2.1 mi), Indian River Yacht Club Marina (2.3 mi), Harbortown Marina at Canaveral (3.4 mi).
Questions about Merritt IslandQuestions
What time is sunset today in Merritt Island?
At 6:40 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 7:04 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Merritt Island?
At 7:33 am. First light comes at 6:41 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 84% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 am.
When are the next spring tides?
From November 9 to 11.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 3:02–5:02 am, Minor 10:57–11:57 am, Major 3:35–5:35 pm, Minor 9:13–10:13 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Merritt Island?
Light drizzle, from 73 °F to 81 °F, with a light breeze from the north-northeast (6 mph) and a 18% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Merritt Island?
Slight (Douglas 3): 2.9 ft waves with a period of 8.6 s from the east-northeast. The water is 75.7 °F.
When is the best time to visit Merritt Island?
The best time to visit Merritt Island is from February to May and from November to December: highs of 73 °F to 86 °F, about 8 rainy days a month and 7 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
Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).