Oak Island tides today
- Tide now 1.1 ft ↑ rising · high 10:56 pm (4.1 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 5:50–6:50 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach tomorrow 1:00–6:00 pm Good beach day · 7/10
- Waves · water 4.1 ft · 68 °F moderate · 6.2 s from the east
- Wind · air 9 mph · 68 °F from the NE, gusts 20 · clear sky
- Sun 7:29 am–6:24 pm 10 h 55 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 8:12 pm waning gibbous · rises at 8:12 pm
- Diving tomorrow 10:40–11:30 am great day · 9/10
- Small Craft Advisory: winds or seas hazardous to small boats. Until Fri 30, 12:00 am. NWS Wilmington NC
Today in Oak Island there are high tides at 10:42 am (5.4 ft) and 10:56 pm (4.1 ft) and low tides at 4:29 am and 5:28 pm. Tide coefficient 85. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 10:56 pm. The sun rises at 7:29 am and sets at 6:24 pm: 10 h 55 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 8:12 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:48 am to 3:48 am and from 2:20 pm to 4:20 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is moderate, with 4.1 ft waves. There's a gentle breeze from the northeast (9 mph). Clear sky, 68 °F.
Fishing in Oak Island today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 5:28 pm
- Sunset at 6:24 pm, golden hour from 5:49 pm
- Steady pressure (30.24 inHg), light offshore wind (9 mph) and some swell (4.1 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 85 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 5:50 pm to 6:30 pm, combines the 5:28 pm low tide, sunset and some swell. Also worth a try from 9:50 am to 10:50 am, with the 10:42 am high tide, moonset and some swell, though with moderate wind. Also good from 3:30 am to 5:30 am, with the 4:29 am low tide, a major period and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: spot, Atlantic croaker, southern kingfish and weakfish. October is one of the months when these are seen most: black sea bass. What you can catch
Beach day in Oak Island
Is it a beach day?
Rip current risk today: low · tomorrow: low (NWS)
Rip currents can still form near jetties, piers and reefs: swim near a lifeguard.
- Sunny
- Feels like 76 °F: pleasant
- UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 68 °F (cool)
- Light offshore wind (12 mph): it blows floats and inflatables out to sea
- Swim with care: 4.0 ft waves every 6 s
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 4.0 ft
4.0 ft waves every 6 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 68 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 5 · SPF 30
Max UV 5 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 15 mph
Moderate offshore wind (15 mph). Skip the inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 4:29 am
Low tide at 4:29 am and 5:28 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 10:42 am and 10:56 pm.
The best window, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, brings sunshine and pleasant temperatures, though with light offshore wind and some waves. 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm can also work, with sunshine, pleasant temperatures and low tide at 5:28 pm, though with moderate offshore 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 Oak Island
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Long Beach 0.4 mi · SE
- Parking
- Oak Island Cabana 2.6 mi · E
- Parking
Water quality: check the official beach advisories for North Carolina (N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program).
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Oak Island
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Oak Island
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 4:29 am 0.1 ft
- ▲ High tide 10:42 am 5.4 ft · coef. 85
- ▼ Low tide 5:28 pm 0.4 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 10:56 pm 4.1 ft · coef. 84
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 3 h 57 min to high tide at 10:56 pm.
Tide coefficient 85 for the 10:42 am high tide and 84 for the 10:56 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 5.3 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large 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 October 27 (5.4 ft) and the lowest, on December 24 (-0.7 ft).
Mixed: two high and two low tides a day, but of quite different heights.
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 26 to 28 (coefficient 86, 5.3 ft range). The smallest, from October 18 to 19 (coefficient 48, 2.9 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Wed 28 | 7:29 am · 6:24 pm | Low tide 4:29 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 10:42 am · 5.4 ft | Low tide 5:28 pm · 0.4 ft | High tide 10:56 pm · 4.1 ft | Coef. 85 | 91% | Major periods 1:48 am · 2:20 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:29 am · 6:23 pm | Low tide 5:22 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 11:35 am · 5.2 ft | Low tide 6:22 pm · 0.5 ft | High tide 11:51 pm · 4.0 ft | Coef. 82 | 84% | Major periods 2:52 am · 3:24 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:30 am · 6:22 pm | Low tide 6:18 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 12:32 pm · 5.0 ft | Low tide 7:17 pm · 0.6 ft | — | Coef. 77 | 74% | Major periods 3:57 am · 4:28 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:31 am · 6:21 pm | High tide 12:51 am · 3.9 ft | Low tide 7:18 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 1:32 pm · 4.8 ft | Low tide 8:16 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 74 | 63% | Major periods 4:59 am · 5:28 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:32 am · 5:20 pm | High tide 1:56 am · 3.9 ft | Low tide 7:24 am · 0.6 ft | High tide 1:32 pm · 4.6 ft | Low tide 8:15 pm · 0.7 ft | Coef. 70 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:56 am · 5:24 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:33 am · 5:19 pm | High tide 2:03 am · 3.9 ft | Low tide 8:32 am · 0.7 ft | High tide 2:33 pm · 4.3 ft | Low tide 9:13 pm · 0.6 ft | Coef. 67 | 41% | Major periods 5:49 am · 6:14 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:34 am · 5:18 pm | High tide 3:10 am · 4.0 ft | Low tide 9:38 am · 0.7 ft | High tide 3:33 pm · 4.1 ft | Low tide 10:07 pm · 0.5 ft | Coef. 67 | 30% | Major periods 6:38 am · 7:01 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 Varnamtown station (NOAA), 3.5 mi from Oak Island. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Oak Island
Sea stateSea state: moderate
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common2.1 ft
- Significant4.1 ft
- Highest expectedHighest8.5 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 8.5 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 8.5 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces south and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Thursday 29: 4.4 ft with a period of 6 s, from the east (moderate).
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 69.5 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water colder than normal for late October (−3.1 °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 6:59 pm (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station SSBN7, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Oak Island today
Surf today
Fair- 1.9–2.9 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 3.1 ft swell at 6 s from the east-southeast, short: weak, messy waves
- Moderate offshore wind (15 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Falling tide (low tide at 5:28 pm)
Rip current risk today: low · tomorrow: low (NWS)
Rip currents can still form near jetties, piers and reefs: swim near a lifeguard.
Surf height from the NWS, today: 1.0 ft
- Light: First light 7:03 am · sunrise 7:29 am · sunset 6:24 pm · last light 6:49 pm
- Tide: low 4:29 am (0.1 ft), high 10:42 am (5.4 ft), low 5:28 pm (0.4 ft) and high 10:56 pm (4.1 ft). Every break has its own tide: some work at low tide and others at high tide. The tide doesn’t change the score here.
- Water at 68.0 °F: a springsuit or a 2 mm fullsuit.
- Energy: 86 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 3:00 pm to 6:49 pm, has a good size and light offshore wind, though with a short-period swell. 10:00 am to 11:00 am can also work, with light offshore wind, 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.
Diving in Oak Island today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- Slack water around high tide (10:42 am): little current from 10:20 am to 11:10 am
- 3.1 ft swell at 6 s from the east-southeast: some surge on the bottom
- Light offshore wind (12 mph)
- 0.4 mph current toward the south-southeast, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: low tide 4:29 am (4:00–4:50 am), high tide 10:42 am (10:20–11:10 am), low tide 5:28 pm (5:00–5:50 pm) and high tide 10:56 pm (10:30–11:20 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 3.1 ft at 6 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 68.0 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 6:49 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 8:12 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 10:30 am to 11:40 am, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
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
- Wreck 5.2 mi
- Wreck 5.3 mi
- Wreck 5.3 mi
- Wreck 8.4 mi
- AR-430 3.2 mi
- AR-425 3.7 mi
- AR-420 5.3 mi
- AR-440 6.9 mi
- Artificial reef 3.9 mi
- Blackbeard Scuba 5.7 mi
- Holden Beach Scuba 7.7 mi
- Scuba South Diving Company 8.9 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. Artificial reefs: NOAA and BOEM (MarineCadastre.gov), a U.S. Government work.
Weather in Oak Island
Now in Oak Island
- Low / high
- 53 / 76 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 3%
- Clouds
- 0%
- Humidity
- 74%
- Dew pointDew point
- 59 °F
- Visibility
- 13 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 45
- 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: −0.06 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 | Clear | Clear | Clear | Clear sky | Light drizzle | Mainly clear | Clear sky | Mainly clear |
| Temperature | 54° | 55° | 57° | 62° | 72° | 76° | 71° | 66° |
| Wind (mph) | 5 N | 9 NNE | 9 NNE | 11 NNE | 12 NNE | 14 NE | 9 NE | 10 NE |
| Gusts | 12 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 26 |
| Waves | 3.1 ft | 3.1 ft | 3.3 ft | 3.5 ft | 3.9 ft | 4.1 ft | 4.1 ft | 4.1 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 |
- 6:00 pm 71° 9 NE 4.1 ft
- 9:00 pm 66° 10 NE 4.1 ft
- 12:00 am 65° 10 NE 4.3 ft
- 3:00 am 63° 9 NNE 4.3 ft
- 6:00 am 64° 9 NNE 4.0 ft
- 9:00 am 66° 9 NE 3.7 ft
- 12:00 pm 72° 13 NE 3.5 ft
- 3:00 pm 76° 10 NE 3.4 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 53 / 76 °F | 15 mph NE | 4.2 ft | 10:42 am · 10:56 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 62 / 76 °F | 13 mph NE | 4.4 ft | 11:35 am · 11:51 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 57 / 77 °F | 8 mph NNE | 3.1 ft | 12:32 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 59 / 71 °F | 13 mph NE | 3.6 ft | 12:51 am · 1:32 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 58 / 72 °F | 14 mph NE | 3.5 ft | 1:56 am · 1:32 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 62 / 72 °F | 15 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 2:03 am · 2:33 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 61 / 74 °F | 15 mph NE | 3.8 ft | 3:10 am · 3:33 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 62 / 75 °F | 12 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 4:13 am · 4:31 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 62 / 74 °F | 12 mph SSE | 6.2 ft | 5:10 am · 5:24 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 58 / 72 °F | 9 mph WSW | 6.5 ft | 6:01 am · 6:13 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 53 / 70 °F | 9 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 6:45 am · 6:56 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 49 / 68 °F | 11 mph NNE | 3.8 ft | 7:26 am · 7:37 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 52 / 67 °F | 11 mph N | 3.8 ft | 8:04 am · 8:15 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 48 / 70 °F | 8 mph N | 3.0 ft | 8:41 am · 8:53 pm |
- Thu 29 Partly cloudy 62° / 76° 4.4 ft
- Fri 30 Overcast 57° / 77° 3.1 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 59° / 71° 3.6 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 58° / 72° 3.5 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 62° / 72° 3.7 ft
- Tue 3 Clear sky 61° / 74° 3.8 ft
- Wed 4 Mainly clear 62° / 75° 3.7 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. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+3.3 °F; normal high: 73 °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 6:59 pm (local time).
The sun in Oak Island
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:34 am
- Full dark 7:19 pm
- Civil dawn 7:03 am
- Civil dusk 6:49 pm
- Solar noon 12:56 pm (43° high)
- Daylight 10 h 55 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:49 pm
- Full dark 7:19 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,558 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Oak Island
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:48–3:48 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:20–4:20 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:55–10:55 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:42–8:42 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 4 days
- New moon Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 amNov 9 in 12 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 6:48 amNov 17 in 20 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 9:54 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 Oak Island
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Holden Beach Fishing Pier 7.8 mi
- Southport Fishing Pier 8.2 mi
- Oak Island Pier 0.9 mi
- Inland Buoy Tender 7.5 mi
- Boat ramp 0.5 mi
- Boat ramp 0.5 mi
- Boat ramp 1.1 mi
- Boat ramp 2.1 mi
- Marina 2.1 mi
- Seaside Marina 5.7 mi
- Reel Busy Fishing 1.5 mi
- Oak Island Sporting Goods 3.5 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: you need to go 1.6 mi out for 33 ft of water.
From the shoreline (1,050 ft from Oak Island) out to sea, heading south.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep1,100 ft
- 33 ft deep1.6 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 1,100 ft): 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 1.6 mi. For dives deeper than 33 ft, go by boat.
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 Oak IslandTides nearby
- Long Beach2.5 mi
- Yaupon Beach4.8 mi
- Caswell Beach6.5 mi
- Holden Beach8.2 mi
- Bald Head Island10 mi
- Shallotte13 mi
- Ocean Isle Beach15 mi
- Kure Beach16 mi
- Carolina Beach17 mi
- Sea Breeze18 mi
Oak Island at a glance
- Town or city of about 7,507 people. Coordinates: 33.917° N, 78.161° W.
- It is 71 mi southwest of Jacksonville, the main place in North Carolina. The sun rises 2 min later and sets 4 min later than in Jacksonville.
- The nearest tide station, Varnamtown, is 3.5 mi to the west.
- Its coast faces south.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Long Beach (0.4 mi), Blue Water Point Marina (3.0 mi).
Questions about Oak IslandQuestions
What time is high tide today in Oak Island?
Today in Oak Island there are high tides at 10:42 am (5.4 ft) and 10:56 pm (4.1 ft) and low tides at 4:29 am and 5:28 pm. Tide coefficient 85.
What time is sunset today in Oak Island?
At 6:24 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:49 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Oak Island?
At 7:29 am. First light comes at 6:34 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 91% illuminated. New moon on Mon, Nov 9 · 2:03 am.
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 1:48–3:48 am, Minor 9:55–10:55 am, Major 2:20–4:20 pm, Minor 7:42–8:42 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Oak Island?
Light drizzle, from 53 °F to 76 °F, with a gentle breeze from the northeast (9 mph) and a 3% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Oak Island?
Moderate (Douglas 4): 4.1 ft waves with a period of 6.2 s from the east. The water is 68.4 °F.
When is the best time to visit Oak Island?
The best time to visit Oak Island is from April to May and in October: highs of 74 °F to 80 °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
Tide: NOAA station Varnamtown (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).