Buxton Tide Chart & Tide Times
Live tide predictions for Buxton, NC — home of Cape Point and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Tide times reference the Hatteras NOAA primary gauge. Critical info for surf fishing the Point and timing beach driving on Ramps 43, 44, and 45.
About tides at Buxton
Buxton is the heart of Hatteras Island surf fishing. Cape Point — where the warm Gulf Stream meets the cooler Labrador Current offshore — is one of the most productive shore fishing spots on the entire East Coast. Tide range is roughly 1.3 ft, semi-diurnal. The currents around the Point are dominated as much by wind, swell direction, and longshore drift as by astronomical tide, so always factor in conditions.
Reference station
Tide times here are predicted from the Hatteras (8654467) primary gauge with a local offset of approximately +2 minutes (Buxton is essentially Hatteras Village timing). For the interactive tide chart with high/low markers, use the parent station page.
Best tides for surf fishing here
Cape Point at Buxton is famous for big red drum (citation-class fish are landed every fall), king mackerel from the beach, cobia in spring, and pompano in summer. The hot tide is the last two hours of falling water into slack low, when bait gets pinned against the bar and predators move shallow. Read our full OBX surf fishing guide for rig and bait specifics.
Beach driving and tides
Cape Point access requires an NPS Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV permit. Ramp 43 is the standard access point, with Ramp 44 closer to the Point itself. Both ramps see seasonal closures for sea turtle and shorebird nesting (typically late spring through late summer). Drive on the falling tide. See our permits guide.
Related
- Hatteras (8654467) primary tide chart
- All OBX tide charts
- OBX surf fishing — best tides and tactics
- Beach driving permits guide
Buxton Tide Schedule — Today’s High & Low Tides
This Buxton tide schedule shows today’s high and low tides for Buxton, NC, with hourly predictions and the next high tide and next low tide for Buxton. The Buxton tide schedule on this page updates daily using NOAA tide predictions.
Use the Buxton tide schedule to plan surf fishing, beach driving on the Outer Banks, kayaking through Pamlico Sound or Currituck Sound, crossing inlets safely, and timing photography at low tide. Many anglers fish the two hours either side of a tide change, which the Buxton tide schedule above makes easy to spot.
How to read this Buxton tide schedule
- High tide Buxton NC — peak water level; best for boat launching in shallow areas and fishing the outgoing tide that follows.
- Low tide Buxton NC — minimum water level; safest window for beach driving on soft sand and for searching tide pools.
- Tide times Buxton — tides at Buxton follow a semidiurnal pattern (two highs and two lows roughly every 24 hours and 50 minutes), so the Buxton tide schedule shifts about 50 minutes later each day.
Bookmark this Buxton tide schedule and check it the night before any trip on or near the water. Conditions like wind, storms, and barometric pressure can push real water levels a few inches to over a foot above or below what the Buxton tide schedule predicts.
Buxton Tide Schedule FAQ
What time is high tide at Buxton today?
Today’s high tide times for Buxton, NC are listed in the Buxton tide schedule at the top of this page. Buxton typically sees two high tides per day, roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes apart.
When is the next low tide at Buxton?
The next low tide at Buxton is shown in the “Next Low Tide” box above. Low tide at Buxton occurs about 6 hours and 12 minutes after the previous high tide.
How accurate is this Buxton tide schedule?
Tide predictions for Buxton are based on NOAA harmonic constants and are typically accurate to within a few inches and a few minutes for normal conditions. Storms, sustained winds, and unusual barometric pressure can shift the Buxton tide schedule by a foot or more.