Colonial Beach tides today
- Tide now 2.0 ft ↓ falling · low 11:31 pm (0.2 ft)
- Best time tomorrow 4:50–6:40 pm good day · 7/10
- Water 63 °F
- Wind · air 5 mph · 62 °F from the E, gusts 9 · overcast
- Sun 7:30 am–6:13 pm 10 h 43 min of daylight
- Moon 91% · 7:52 pm waning gibbous · rises at 7:52 pm
- Pressure 30.33 inHg falling · falling tomorrow
- Coefficient 84 average coefficient · spring tides Oct 26–28
Today in Colonial Beach there are high tides at 4:25 am (1.8 ft) and 4:53 pm (2.1 ft) and low tides at 10:43 am and 11:31 pm. Tide coefficient 84. Right now the tide is falling toward the low tide at 11:31 pm. The sun rises at 7:30 am and sets at 6:13 pm: 10 h 43 min of daylight. The moon is 91% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 7:52 pm. Major solunar periods run from 1:43 am to 3:43 am and from 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm. The next spring tides arrive from October 26 to 28. There's a light breeze from the east (5 mph). Overcast, 62 °F.
Fishing in Colonial Beach today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- Low tide at 10:43 am
- Minor period 10:05–11:05 am (moonset)
- Steady pressure (30.42 inHg) and almost no wind
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 84 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, combines the 10:43 am low tide and moonset. Also good from 3:50 pm to 5:50 pm, with the 4:53 pm high tide, a major period, sunset and a light onshore breeze. Also good from 2:10 pm to 2:50 pm, with a major period 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 Colonial Beach
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ High tide 4:25 am 1.8 ft · coef. 84
- ▼ Low tide 10:43 am 0.0 ft
- ▲ High tide 4:53 pm 2.1 ft · coef. 83
- ▼ Next low tide 11:31 pm 0.2 ft
↓ Falling The tide is falling. 5 h 38 min to low tide at 11:31 pm.
Tide coefficient 84 for the 4:25 am high tide and 83 for the 4:53 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 2.1 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 August 13 (2.4 ft) and the lowest, on January 4 (-0.6 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 26 to 28 (coefficient 85, 2.2 ft range). The smallest, from October 18 to 19 (coefficient 48, 1.2 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 | 7:30 am · 6:13 pm | High tide 4:25 am · 1.8 ft | Low tide 10:43 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 4:53 pm · 2.1 ft | Low tide 11:31 pm · 0.2 ft | Coef. 84 | 91% | Major periods 1:43 am · 2:15 pm | Medium |
| Thu 29 | 7:31 am · 6:12 pm | High tide 5:16 am · 1.8 ft | Low tide 11:35 am · 0.0 ft | High tide 5:45 pm · 2.1 ft | — | Coef. 81 | 84% | Major periods 2:47 am · 3:19 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:32 am · 6:11 pm | Low tide 12:26 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 6:11 am · 1.7 ft | Low tide 12:32 pm · 0.1 ft | High tide 6:43 pm · 2.0 ft | Coef. 76 | 74% | Major periods 3:52 am · 4:23 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:33 am · 6:09 pm | Low tide 1:27 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 7:11 am · 1.7 ft | Low tide 1:36 pm · 0.1 ft | High tide 7:45 pm · 1.9 ft | Coef. 71 | 63% | Major periods 4:54 am · 5:23 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:34 am · 5:08 pm | Low tide 1:32 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 7:17 am · 1.6 ft | Low tide 1:46 pm · 0.2 ft | High tide 7:53 pm · 1.8 ft | Coef. 67 | Last quarter | Major periods 4:51 am · 5:19 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:35 am · 5:07 pm | Low tide 2:36 am · 0.3 ft | High tide 8:28 am · 1.6 ft | Low tide 2:56 pm · 0.2 ft | High tide 9:03 pm · 1.8 ft | Coef. 65 | 41% | Major periods 5:44 am · 6:09 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:36 am · 5:06 pm | Low tide 3:38 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 9:39 am · 1.7 ft | Low tide 4:04 pm · 0.2 ft | High tide 10:09 pm · 1.7 ft | Coef. 67 | 30% | Major periods 6:33 am · 6:56 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 Colonial Beach station (NOAA), 0.3 mi from Colonial Beach. Times and heights are its predictions.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Colonial Beach
Sea state
The wave model doesn't reach Colonial Beach: 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.
Onshore wind. The coast faces east and the wind blows straight in from the sea: more surf and backwash at the shore, and bait and boats drift toward land.
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 warmer than normal for late October (+2.0 °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 5:53 pm (local time).
Nearest marine station
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station NCDV2, NOAA National Data Buoy Center (public domain).
Weather in Colonial Beach
Now in Colonial Beach
- Low / high
- 51 / 66 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 1%
- Clouds
- 100%
- Humidity
- 67%
- Dew pointDew point
- 51 °F
- Visibility
- 15 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Good · 49
- 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 (−0.03 inHg in 3 hours). Over the next 48 hours: −0.17 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 | Clear | Clear | Clear | Clear sky | Mainly clear | Overcast | Overcast | Partly cloudy |
| Temperature | 54° | 53° | 53° | 56° | 64° | 65° | 62° | 58° |
| Wind (mph) | 7 SE | 3 WSW | 3 N | 4 NNE | 3 ENE | 6 E | 5 E | 4 SE |
| Gusts | 8 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| 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 62° 5 E
- 9:00 pm 58° 4 SE
- 12:00 am 54° 4 SSE
- 3:00 am 52° 3 S
- 6:00 am 50° 3 SSW
- 9:00 am 51° 2 W
- 12:00 pm 65° 2 S
- 3:00 pm 70° 2 SE
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 28 | 51 / 66 °F | 7 mph E | 4:25 am · 4:53 pm | |
| Thu 29 | 48 / 71 °F | 4 mph S | 5:16 am · 5:45 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 52 / 74 °F | 9 mph NW | 6:11 am · 6:43 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 49 / 63 °F | 6 mph NNE | 7:11 am · 7:45 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 49 / 67 °F | 4 mph SE | 7:17 am · 7:53 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 52 / 68 °F | 4 mph SE | 8:28 am · 9:03 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 55 / 70 °F | 8 mph E | 9:39 am · 10:09 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 57 / 70 °F | 10 mph E | 10:43 am · 11:09 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 59 / 69 °F | 11 mph SE | 11:39 am | |
| Fri 6 | 56 / 67 °F | 10 mph WNW | 12:01 am · 12:28 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 51 / 63 °F | 9 mph NW | 12:48 am · 1:12 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 47 / 60 °F | 8 mph NNW | 1:32 am · 1:54 pm | |
| Mon 9 | 44 / 56 °F | 9 mph N | 2:13 am · 2:32 pm | |
| Tue 10 | 45 / 58 °F | 5 mph N | 2:53 am · 3:10 pm |
- Thu 29 Overcast 48° / 71° 4 mph
- Fri 30 Clear sky 52° / 74° 9 mph
- Sat 31 Overcast 49° / 63° 6 mph
- Sun 1 Overcast 49° / 67° 4 mph
- Mon 2 Overcast 52° / 68° 4 mph
- Tue 3 Partly cloudy 55° / 70° 8 mph
- Wed 4 Mainly clear 57° / 70° 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, normal highs for late October (66 °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 5:53 pm (local time).
The sun in Colonial Beach
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:32 am
- Full dark 7:11 pm
- Civil dawn 7:03 am
- Civil dusk 6:40 pm
- Solar noon 12:52 pm (38° high)
- Daylight 10 h 43 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:36 pm
- Full dark 7:11 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,354,639 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Colonial Beach
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,429 mi away and looks 32′ 47″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 1:43–3:43 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 2:15–4:15 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 10:05–11:05 am Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 7:22–8:22 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 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 Colonial Beach
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Colonial Beach Municipal Pier 0.3 mi
- Jetty 5.4 mi
- Jetty 9.0 mi
- Jetty 9.3 mi
- Boat ramp 1.5 mi
- Boat ramp 4.5 mi
- Boat ramp 6.0 mi
- Bayside Marina 0.4 mi
- Nightingale Marina 0.5 mi
- Ice House Marina 0.5 mi
- Monroe Bay Marina 0.8 mi
- Kimmie Ann Bait and Tackle 3.7 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
Shallow, gradualShallow, gradual bottom: 16 ft at 0.4 mi from shore and 24 ft at 3.1 mi.
From the shoreline (650 ft from Colonial Beach) out to sea, heading east.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.4 mi
- 33 ft deepnot within 3.1 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 0.4 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: the water doesn't reach 33 ft within 3.1 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.
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
Lower Cedar Point Light 6.1 mi north
- Light
- A green flash every 25 s · Fl G 25s
- Light height
- 38 ft above sea level
Data from Wikidata. For reference only: not for navigation. Wikipedia · Wikidata · Sources and licenses
Tides near Colonial BeachTides nearby
- Morgantown6.3 mi
- Cobb Island6.5 mi
- Rock Point6.8 mi
- Dahlgren7.1 mi
- Port Conway13 mi
- Port Royal14 mi
- Haymount16 mi
- Fairview Beach16 mi
- Leonardtown18 mi
- Narrow Beach20 mi
Colonial Beach at a glance
- Town or city of about 3,580 people. Coordinates: 38.255° N, 76.964° W.
- It is 111 mi northwest of Virginia Beach, the main place in Virginia. The sun rises 6 min later and sets 2 min later than in Virginia Beach.
- The nearest tide station, Colonial Beach, is 0.3 mi to the southeast.
- Its coast faces east.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: Massey Wharf (3.0 mi), Wirt Wharf (3.1 mi).
Questions about Colonial BeachQuestions
What time is high tide today in Colonial Beach?
Today in Colonial Beach there are high tides at 4:25 am (1.8 ft) and 4:53 pm (2.1 ft) and low tides at 10:43 am and 11:31 pm. Tide coefficient 84.
What time is sunset today in Colonial Beach?
At 6:13 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:40 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Colonial Beach?
At 7:31 am. First light comes at 6:33 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 1:43–3:43 am, Minor 10:05–11:05 am, Major 2:15–4:15 pm, Minor 7:22–8:22 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Colonial Beach?
Overcast, from 51 °F to 66 °F, with a light breeze from the east (5 mph) and a 1% chance of rain.
When is the best time to visit Colonial Beach?
The best time to visit Colonial Beach is from August to October and from April to June: highs of 69 °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 Colonial Beach (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).