National Harbor tides today
- Tide now 2.7 ft ↓ falling · low 5:42 am (0.4 ft)
- Best time to fish 4:30–6:30 pm good day · 7/10
- Wind · air 2 mph · 53 °F from the ESE, gusts 4 · clear
- Sun 7:32 am–6:11 pm 10 h 39 min of daylight
- Moon 84% · 8:52 pm waning gibbous · rises at 8:52 pm
- Pressure 30.31 inHg steady · falling tomorrow
- Coefficient 76 average coefficient · spring tides Nov 9–11
- Major solunar period 2:47–4:47 am today's activity: medium
Today in National Harbor there are high tides at 11:09 am (2.7 ft) and 11:24 pm (3.3 ft) and low tides at 5:42 am and 5:33 pm. Tide coefficient 76. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 5:42 am. The sun rises at 7:32 am and sets at 6:11 pm: 10 h 39 min of daylight. The moon is 84% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 8:52 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:47 am to 4:47 am and from 3:20 pm to 5:20 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. There's a light air from the east-southeast (2 mph). Clear, 53 °F.
Fishing in National Harbor today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 5:33 pm
- Major period 3:20–5:20 pm
- Sunset at 6:11 pm, golden hour from 5:34 pm
- Falling pressure (−0.20 inHg in 24 h) and light cross-shore wind (5 mph)
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 76 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, combines the 5:33 pm low tide, a major period, sunset and falling pressure. Also good from 11:20 am to 12:10 pm, with the 11:09 am high tide, moonset, falling pressure and a light onshore breeze.
Species with the most records nearby: striped bass, spot, Atlantic croaker and summer flounder. October is one of the months when these are seen most: spot and summer flounder. What you can catch
Tides in National Harbor
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Next low tide 5:42 am 0.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 11:09 am 2.7 ft · coef. 76
- ▼ Low tide 5:33 pm 0.4 ft
- ▲ High tide 11:24 pm 3.3 ft · coef. 74
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 h 20 min to low tide at 5:42 am.
Tide coefficient 76 for the 11:09 am high tide and 74 for the 11:24 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 2.8 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: an average range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on May 17 (3.6 ft) and the lowest, on February 3 (-0.7 ft).
Semidiurnal: two high and two low tides a day, of similar height.
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 coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 9 to 11 (coefficient 83, 3.0 ft range). The smallest, from October 18 to 20 (coefficient 53, 1.7 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 7:32 am · 6:11 pm | Low tide 5:42 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 11:09 am · 2.7 ft | Low tide 5:33 pm · 0.4 ft | High tide 11:24 pm · 3.3 ft | Coef. 76 | 84% | Major periods 2:47 am · 3:20 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:33 am · 6:10 pm | Low tide 6:38 am · 0.5 ft | High tide 12:05 pm · 2.7 ft | Low tide 6:32 pm · 0.5 ft | — | Coef. 72 | 74% | Major periods 3:52 am · 4:23 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:34 am · 6:09 pm | High tide 12:21 am · 3.1 ft | Low tide 7:34 am · 0.5 ft | High tide 1:07 pm · 2.6 ft | Low tide 7:35 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 70 | 63% | Major periods 4:54 am · 5:23 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:35 am · 5:08 pm | High tide 1:23 am · 3.0 ft | Low tide 7:31 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 1:11 pm · 2.6 ft | Low tide 7:40 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 66 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:52 am · 5:19 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:36 am · 5:07 pm | High tide 1:30 am · 2.8 ft | Low tide 8:30 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 2:18 pm · 2.6 ft | Low tide 8:49 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 63 | 41% | Major periods 5:45 am · 6:09 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:37 am · 5:05 pm | High tide 2:42 am · 2.7 ft | Low tide 9:29 am · 0.5 ft | High tide 3:27 pm · 2.7 ft | Low tide 9:55 pm · 0.5 ft | Coef. 64 | 30% | Major periods 6:33 am · 6:57 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:38 am · 5:04 pm | High tide 3:53 am · 2.7 ft | Low tide 10:25 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 4:29 pm · 2.8 ft | Low tide 10:56 pm · 0.4 ft | Coef. 68 | 21% | Major periods 7:19 am · 7:41 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 Alexandria station (NOAA), 2.0 mi from National Harbor. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Washington reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at National Harbor
Sea state
The wave model doesn't reach National Harbor: it's on inland water (an estuary, sound or sheltered bay) or far from the open sea. Wind is still available right here.
Wind on the coast and offshore
The model doesn't separate offshore wind here: it's the same as on the coast.
Offshore wind. The coast faces west and the wind blows from land out to sea: calm shore and clean waves, but watch the drift out to sea.
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 12:23 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 44063, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Weather in National Harbor
Now in National Harbor
- Low / high
- 49 / 70 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 1%
- Clouds
- 2%
- Humidity
- 78%
- Dew pointDew point
- 46 °F
- Visibility
- 12 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Moderate · 52
- 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 (−0.03 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. 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 | Clear | Mainly clear | Overcast | Partly cloudy | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear sky | Clear |
| Temperature | 53° | 51° | 50° | 51° | 63° | 69° | 65° | 59° |
| Wind (mph) | 2 ENE | 4 SSE | 3 S | 4 SW | 6 SW | 8 SW | 5 SSW | 4 S |
| Gusts | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| 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 |
- 12:00 am 53° 2 ENE
- 3:00 am 51° 4 SSE
- 6:00 am 50° 3 S
- 9:00 am 51° 4 SW
- 12:00 pm 63° 6 SW
- 3:00 pm 69° 8 SW
- 6:00 pm 65° 5 SSW
- 9:00 pm 59° 4 S
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 49 / 70 °F | 9 mph SSW | 11:09 am · 11:24 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 52 / 74 °F | 11 mph NW | 12:05 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 46 / 65 °F | 5 mph N | 12:21 am · 1:07 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 46 / 68 °F | 5 mph SSE | 1:23 am · 1:11 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 49 / 69 °F | 4 mph S | 1:30 am · 2:18 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 52 / 71 °F | 8 mph ESE | 2:42 am · 3:27 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 55 / 71 °F | 10 mph ESE | 3:53 am · 4:29 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 57 / 71 °F | 10 mph SE | 4:54 am · 5:22 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 55 / 67 °F | 8 mph NW | 5:47 am · 6:11 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 50 / 64 °F | 9 mph NW | 6:35 am · 6:56 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 42 / 62 °F | 7 mph NW | 7:21 am · 7:38 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 36 / 57 °F | 5 mph N | 8:05 am · 8:18 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 36 / 60 °F | 4 mph NE | 8:47 am · 8:55 pm | |
| Wed 11 | 37 / 60 °F | 2 mph E | 9:29 am · 9:32 pm |
- Fri 30 Clear sky 52° / 74° 11 mph
- Sat 31 Overcast 46° / 65° 5 mph
- Sun 1 Overcast 46° / 68° 5 mph
- Mon 2 Partly cloudy 49° / 69° 4 mph
- Tue 3 Partly cloudy 52° / 71° 8 mph
- Wed 4 Overcast 55° / 71° 10 mph
- Thu 5 Overcast 57° / 71° 10 mph
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. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- The models They agree · high confidence for the next few days. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: warmer and a bit wetter. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+5.3 °F; normal high: 65 °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 12:23 am (local time).
The sun in National Harbor
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:33 am
- Full dark 7:10 pm
- Civil dawn 7:05 am
- Civil dusk 6:38 pm
- Solar noon 12:52 pm (38° high)
- Daylight 10 h 39 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:34 pm
- Full dark 7:10 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,330,386 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in National Harbor
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,746 mi away and looks 32′ 44″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 2:47–4:47 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 3:20–5:20 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:17 am–12:17 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 8:22–9:22 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 National Harbor
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Pier A 0.2 mi
- Pier B 0.3 mi
- Pier C 0.3 mi
- Jetty 2.3 mi
- Boat ramp 1.7 mi
- Belle Haven Boat Launch 1.9 mi
- Daingerfield Island Marina slipway 3.7 mi
- National Harbor Marina 0.3 mi
- Belle Haven 1.8 mi
- Washington Sailing Marina 3.7 mi
- District Angling 9.3 mi
- Fuel dock 5.5 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.
Water depth
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: 16 ft at 0.95 mi from shore and 0 ft at 1.8 mi. Right off the beach it already drops to about 11 ft.
From the shoreline (900 ft from National Harbor) out to sea, heading west.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.95 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 1.8 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 1.8 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 1.8 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. About 11 ft of water 330 ft out: long casts help, and so does a rising tide, which brings fish closer in.
- Swimming. The bottom drops quickly near the shore and you are soon out of your depth. Keep an eye on kids and weak swimmers.
- Diving. Shallow: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 1.8 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) 1.8 mi out. Where the bottom comes up to the surface there are shoals, rocks or an islet next to the profile.
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.
Nearest lighthouse
Jones Point Light 1.5 mi west
Other lighthouses nearby: Fort Washington Light (5.0 mi south).
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near National HarborTides nearby
- Alexandria2.3 mi
- Fort Washington5.2 mi
- Potomac Heights14 mi
- Indian Head15 mi
- Woodbridge15 mi
- Cherry Hill20 mi
- Eagle Harbor23 mi
- Quantico23 mi
- Deale25 mi
- Fairhaven25 mi
National Harbor at a glance
- Town or city of about 3,788 people. Coordinates: 38.783° N, 77.015° W.
- It is 31 mi southwest of Annapolis, the main place in Maryland. The sun rises 2 min later and sets 2 min later than in Annapolis.
- The nearest tide station, Alexandria, is 2.0 mi to the northwest.
- Its coast faces west.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Belle Haven Marina (1.8 mi), Tantallon Marina (4.1 mi).
Questions about National HarborQuestions
What time is high tide today in National Harbor?
Today in National Harbor there are high tides at 11:09 am (2.7 ft) and 11:24 pm (3.3 ft) and low tides at 5:42 am and 5:33 pm. Tide coefficient 76.
What time is sunset today in National Harbor?
At 6:11 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:38 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in National Harbor?
At 7:33 am. First light comes at 6:34 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 2:47–4:47 am, Minor 11:17 am–12:17 pm, Major 3:20–5:20 pm, Minor 8:22–9:22 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in National Harbor?
Overcast, from 49 °F to 70 °F, with a light air from the east-southeast (2 mph) and a 1% chance of rain.
When is the best time to visit National Harbor?
The best time to visit National Harbor is from May to June and from August to October: highs of 70 °F to 87 °F, about 9 rainy days a month and 6 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 Alexandria (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).