Ocracoke tides today
- Tide now 0.5 ft ↑ rising · high 9:48 pm (1.9 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 4:00–6:00 pm good day · 7/10
- Beach day Not today High rip current risk
- Waves · water 3.6 ft · 65 °F slight · 5.7 s from the east
- Wind · air 17 mph · 66 °F from the NE, gusts 25 · light drizzle
- Surf tomorrow 2.2–3.3 ft Poor day · 2/10 · 3:00–6:38 pm
- Sun 7:21 am–6:13 pm 10 h 52 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 7:59 pm waning gibbous · rises at 7:59 pm
- Beach Hazards Statement: rip currents, waves or other hazards at the beaches. Until 8:00 pm today. NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
- Small Craft Advisory: winds or seas hazardous to small boats. Until Fri 30, 12:00 am. NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
- Coastal Flood Advisory: minor flooding along the shore at high tide. Until 2:00 pm tomorrow. NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Today in Ocracoke there are high tides at 9:30 am (2.8 ft) and 9:48 pm (1.9 ft) and low tides at 2:57 am and 4:03 pm. Tide coefficient 88. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 9:48 pm. The sun rises at 7:21 am and sets at 6:13 pm: 10 h 52 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 7:59 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:39 am to 3:39 am and from 2:11 pm to 4:11 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. The sea is slight, with 3.6 ft waves. There's a moderate breeze from the northeast (17 mph). Light drizzle, 66 °F.
Fishing in Ocracoke today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 2:57 am
- Major period 1:39–3:39 am
- Steady pressure (30.27 inHg), moderate cross-shore wind (17 mph) and some swell (3.0 ft waves) to stir the water
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 88 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 2:00 am to 3:40 am, combines the 2:57 am low tide, a major period and some swell, though with moderate wind. Also worth a try from 9:50 am to 10:30 am, with the 9:30 am high tide, moonset and some swell, though with moderate wind. Also worth a try from 3:00 pm to 4:10 pm, with the 4:03 pm low tide, a major period and some swell, though with fresh wind.
Species with the most records nearby: longfin inshore squid, spot, Atlantic croaker and weakfish. October is one of the months when these are seen most: spot and Atlantic croaker. What you can catch
Beach day in Ocracoke
Is it a beach day?
- Official statement: Beach Hazards Statement (NWS Newport/Morehead City NC)
Rip current risk today: high · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Stay out of the water: rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. If one catches you, don't swim against it: swim parallel to the shore and wave for help.
- Sun and clouds
- Feels like 72 °F: mild
- UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 65 °F (cool)
- Low tide at 4:03 pm: more sand
- Fresh cross-shore wind (20 mph): blowing sand
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Use care · 3.6 ft
3.6 ft waves every 6 s: swim with care and stay where you can stand. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 65 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 4 · SPF 30
Max UV 4 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 20 mph
Fresh cross-shore wind (20 mph): blowing sand.
- Tide & sand 2:57 am
Low tide at 2:57 am and 4:03 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 9:30 am and 9:48 pm.
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 Ocracoke
We don't know of any named beaches within 6.2 mi of Ocracoke.
Missing one? Beaches come from OpenStreetMap: you can add it there. Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Ocracoke
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Ocracoke
Today's high and low tides
- ▼ Low tide 2:57 am -0.1 ft
- ▲ High tide 9:30 am 2.8 ft · coef. 88
- ▼ Low tide 4:03 pm 0.1 ft
- ▲ Next high tide 9:48 pm 1.9 ft · coef. 86
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 3 h 53 min to high tide at 9:48 pm.
Tide coefficient 88 for the 9:30 am high tide and 86 for the 9:48 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 2.9 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 November 25 (2.8 ft) and the lowest, on December 25 (-0.6 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 90, 2.9 ft range). The smallest, from October 18 to 19 (coefficient 40, 1.1 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 | 7:21 am · 6:13 pm | Low tide 2:57 am · -0.1 ft | High tide 9:30 am · 2.8 ft | Low tide 4:03 pm · 0.1 ft | High tide 9:48 pm · 1.9 ft | Coef. 88 | 91% | Major periods 1:39 am · 2:11 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:22 am · 6:12 pm | Low tide 3:46 am · -0.1 ft | High tide 10:22 am · 2.7 ft | Low tide 4:57 pm · 0.2 ft | High tide 10:41 pm · 1.9 ft | Coef. 84 | 84% | Major periods 2:43 am · 3:15 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:23 am · 6:11 pm | Low tide 4:40 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 11:19 am · 2.6 ft | Low tide 5:56 pm · 0.3 ft | High tide 11:40 pm · 1.8 ft | Coef. 77 | 74% | Major periods 3:47 am · 4:19 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:24 am · 6:10 pm | Low tide 5:40 am · 0.1 ft | High tide 12:20 pm · 2.5 ft | Low tide 6:59 pm · 0.4 ft | — | Coef. 71 | 63% | Major periods 4:50 am · 5:19 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:25 am · 5:09 pm | High tide 12:47 am · 1.8 ft | Low tide 5:48 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 12:26 pm · 2.3 ft | Low tide 7:03 pm · 0.4 ft | Coef. 68 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:47 am · 5:14 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:26 am · 5:08 pm | High tide 1:00 am · 1.8 ft | Low tide 7:03 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 1:34 pm · 2.2 ft | Low tide 8:06 pm · 0.4 ft | Coef. 65 | 41% | Major periods 5:40 am · 6:05 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:27 am · 5:07 pm | High tide 2:11 am · 1.9 ft | Low tide 8:19 am · 0.4 ft | High tide 2:38 pm · 2.2 ft | Low tide 9:03 pm · 0.3 ft | Coef. 67 | 30% | Major periods 6:29 am · 6:52 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 Ocracoke Inlet station (NOAA), 3.9 mi from Ocracoke. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the Cape Hatteras Fishing Pier reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Ocracoke
Sea stateSea state: slight
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common1.8 ft
- Significant3.6 ft
- Highest expectedHighest7.4 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 7.4 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 7.4 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
The model doesn't separate offshore wind here: it's the same as on the coast.
Cross-shore wind. The coast faces southeast and the wind blows along the shore: drift and current run parallel to the beach.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves stay much the same all week. The biggest waves arrive on Wednesday 28: 3.8 ft with a period of 6 s, from the east (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 68.5 °F by Tuesday 3.
Water colder than normal for late October (−4.8 °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 5:55 pm (local time).
Nearest marine station
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station HCGN7, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Surf in Ocracoke today
Surf today
Poor- 1.7–2.7 ft surf at the shore, a fun size for most surfers
- 1.7 ft swell at 6 s from the east-southeast, short: weak, messy waves
- 2.5 ft wind swell at 3 s: messy waves
- Moderate offshore wind (15 mph): it holds up and grooms the waves
- Rising tide (high tide at 9:30 am)
Rip current risk today: high · tomorrow: moderate (NWS)
Stay out of the water: rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. If one catches you, don't swim against it: swim parallel to the shore and wave for help.
Surf height from the NWS, today: 3.0–5.0 ft
- Light: First light 6:55 am · sunrise 7:21 am · sunset 6:13 pm · last light 6:39 pm
- Tide: low 2:57 am (-0.1 ft), high 9:30 am (2.8 ft), low 4:03 pm (0.1 ft) and high 9:48 pm (1.9 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 64.4 °F–65.3 °F: a 3/2 fullsuit.
- Energy: 31 kJ · Low power
Today’s surf at a glance
The best window, 7:00 am to 8:00 am, has a good size and light offshore wind, though with a short-period swell and wind swell. 10:00 am to 11:00 am can also work, with a good size, though with a short-period swell, wind swell and cross-shore wind.
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 Ocracoke today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: good- 2.4 ft swell at 6 s from the east-southeast: some surge on the bottom
- Moderate cross-shore wind (17 mph)
- 0.9 mph current toward the south (model)
- Daylight
- Slack water today: low tide 2:57 am (2:20–3:40 am), high tide 9:30 am (8:50–10:10 am), low tide 4:03 pm (3:20–4:50 pm) and high tide 9:48 pm (9:00–10:40 pm)
- Likely visibility: good. Swell (up to 2.7 ft at 7 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 64.4–65.3 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 6:39 pm. Waning gibbous (91%), rising at 7:59 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window runs from 5:30 pm to 6:10 pm, though with moderate wind and current. Also worth a look from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, with the sun high, though with tidal current, moderate wind and current.
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
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). Artificial reefs: NOAA and BOEM (MarineCadastre.gov), a U.S. Government work.
Weather in Ocracoke
Now in Ocracoke
- Low / high
- 63 / 73 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 10%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 93%
- Dew pointDew point
- 64 °F
- Visibility
- 7.8 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Moderate · 51
- 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 (0.00 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.12 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 | Light drizzle | Partly cloudy | Mainly clear | Overcast | Light drizzle | Partly cloudy |
| Temperature | 63° | 65° | 64° | 67° | 71° | 71° | 66° | 65° |
| Wind (mph) | 14 NNE | 17 NE | 16 NE | 16 NE | 18 NE | 19 NE | 17 NE | 12 NE |
| Gusts | 21 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 19 |
| Waves | 2.8 ft | 3.0 ft | 3.3 ft | 3.4 ft | 3.4 ft | 3.5 ft | 3.6 ft | 3.7 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 66° 17 NE 3.6 ft
- 9:00 pm 65° 12 NE 3.7 ft
- 12:00 am 66° 12 NE 3.7 ft
- 3:00 am 65° 13 ENE 3.6 ft
- 6:00 am 64° 12 NE 3.5 ft
- 9:00 am 67° 14 NE 3.5 ft
- 12:00 pm 68° 14 NE 3.4 ft
- 3:00 pm 68° 14 NE 3.5 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 63 / 73 °F | 20 mph NE | 3.8 ft | 9:30 am · 9:48 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 64 / 70 °F | 15 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 10:22 am · 10:41 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 63 / 68 °F | 9 mph NNE | 3.4 ft | 11:19 am · 11:40 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 62 / 65 °F | 17 mph NE | 3.1 ft | 12:20 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 62 / 68 °F | 15 mph NE | 3.0 ft | 12:47 am · 12:26 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 65 / 70 °F | 14 mph ENE | 2.5 ft | 1:00 am · 1:34 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 66 / 71 °F | 16 mph ENE | 3.1 ft | 2:11 am · 2:38 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 67 / 72 °F | 12 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 3:15 am · 3:37 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 65 / 71 °F | 12 mph ESE | 4.9 ft | 4:10 am · 4:30 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 63 / 69 °F | 11 mph W | 6.0 ft | 4:59 am · 5:18 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 61 / 66 °F | 10 mph NW | 4.2 ft | 5:44 am · 6:02 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 59 / 66 °F | 31 mph NNE | 5.9 ft | 6:25 am · 6:43 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 63 / 66 °F | 30 mph N | 5.8 ft | 7:04 am · 7:22 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 63 / 66 °F | 22 mph NNE | 4.5 ft | 7:42 am · 8:00 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 64° / 70° 3.7 ft
- Fri 30 Mainly clear 63° / 68° 3.4 ft
- Sat 31 Overcast 62° / 65° 3.1 ft
- Sun 1 Overcast 62° / 68° 3.0 ft
- Mon 2 Light drizzle 65° / 70° 2.5 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 66° / 71° 3.1 ft
- Wed 4 Mainly clear 67° / 72° 3.2 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.
- The models They agree · high confidence for the next few days. See the models →
- Outlook Next few weeks, compared with normal: a bit warmer, a bit wetter and a near-normal sea. See the outlook →
- Normal Today, warmer than normal for late October (+2.8 °F; normal high: 70 °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 5:55 pm (local time).
The sun in Ocracoke
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:26 am
- Full dark 7:09 pm
- Civil dawn 6:55 am
- Civil dusk 6:39 pm
- Solar noon 12:48 pm (42° high)
- Daylight 10 h 52 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:38 pm
- Full dark 7:09 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,706 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Ocracoke
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:39–3:39 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:11–4:11 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 9:50–10:50 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:29–8:29 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 Ocracoke
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Coast Guard Pier 0.4 mi
- Pier in Ruin 5.7 mi
- Ruins 5.7 mi
- Jetty 0.4 mi
- The Anchorage Inn Marina Slipway 0.2 mi
- Boat ramp 0.4 mi
- Boat ramp 0.5 mi
- The Anchorage Marina 0.2 mi
- Silver Lake Marina 0.3 mi
- Tradewinds Tackle Shop 0.7 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
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 0.25 mi from shore and 33 ft at 0.75 mi.
From the shoreline (1.4 mi from Ocracoke) out to sea, heading southeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.25 mi
- 33 ft deep0.75 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 0.25 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 0.75 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.
Nearest lighthouse
Ocracoke Light 0.5 mi southwest
- Light
- Steady white light · F W
- Range
- 15 nautical miles (17 mi)
- Light height
- 75 ft above sea level
- Built
- 1798
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near OcracokeTides nearby
- Ocracoke Inlet3.9 mi
- Hatteras Inlet14 mi
- Hatteras18 mi
- Frisco22 mi
- Atlantic26 mi
- Buxton27 mi
- Engelhard27 mi
- Avon31 mi
- Hobucken34 mi
- Davis35 mi
Ocracoke at a glance
- Town or city of about 948 people. Coordinates: 35.115° N, 75.981° W.
- It is 86 mi east of Jacksonville, the main place in North Carolina. The sun rises 5 min earlier and sets 6 min earlier than in Jacksonville.
- The nearest tide station, Ocracoke Inlet, is 3.9 mi to the southwest.
- Its coast faces southeast.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Silver Lake (0.2 mi).
Questions about OcracokeQuestions
What time is high tide today in Ocracoke?
Today in Ocracoke there are high tides at 9:30 am (2.8 ft) and 9:48 pm (1.9 ft) and low tides at 2:57 am and 4:03 pm. Tide coefficient 88.
What time is sunset today in Ocracoke?
At 6:13 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:39 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Ocracoke?
At 7:22 am. First light comes at 6:26 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 1:39–3:39 am, Minor 9:50–10:50 am, Major 2:11–4:11 pm, Minor 7:29–8:29 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Ocracoke?
Light drizzle, from 63 °F to 73 °F, with a moderate breeze from the northeast (17 mph) and a 10% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Ocracoke?
Slight (Douglas 3): 3.6 ft waves with a period of 5.7 s from the east. The water is 65.1 °F.
When is the best time to visit Ocracoke?
The best time to visit Ocracoke is from April to June and in October: highs of 70 °F to 84 °F, about 10 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 Ocracoke Inlet (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).