Duck Tide Chart, Tide Times & Tide Schedule
Live tide predictions for Duck, NC (NOAA Station 8651370 – the FRF research pier). High and low tides for surf fishing, beach driving, paddleboarding, and pier fishing on the northern Outer Banks.
About tides at Duck
Duck is the northernmost public tide gauge on the Outer Banks and the reference station that most local forecasts cite when they say “Duck, NC.” The gauge sits at the Field Research Facility pier where the Army Corps of Engineers has measured water level and waves since 1977. Mean tide range here is roughly 3.3 feet – the largest swing of any OBX gauge – because Duck sits on the open Atlantic with no inlet to dampen the signal.
Best tides for fishing
The pier and the beaches from Duck north to Corolla are best fished on the last two hours of incoming through the first two hours of outgoing. Falling tide off the FRF pier is a Spanish mackerel and bluefish window in late spring through fall. Pair the chart above with the bait reports and rig diagrams at OuterBanksSurfFishing.com, and see our dedicated guide to best tides for surf fishing the OBX.
Beach driving and tides
There is no beach driving from Duck south to Corolla town. The public beach driving area begins at the Carova 4×4 zone north of Corolla. If heading north into Carova, plan your trip around Duck or Corolla tide times since the gauges sync within 10 minutes. For permits, ramp status, and current zone updates, see our beach driving and tides guide and the up-to-date zone guides at OuterBanksBeachDriving.com.
What affects tides here
Tide height and timing on the Outer Banks is driven by:
- Lunar and solar gravity – the main astronomical driver.
- Wind and barometric pressure – can push tides 1-2 ft above or below prediction.
- Inlets and bathymetry – particularly relevant on the OBX.
- Storms and nor-easters – the dominant wildcard for OBX water levels.
- The Gulf Stream – closer to shore on the OBX than anywhere on the East Coast.
- Seasonal sea level trends – water sits higher in late summer and early fall.
Duck tide FAQ
What time is high tide today?
The chart above shows today high and low tide times based on NOAA prediction for station 8651370. The current time is marked with a red line; the next high is labeled in the summary below the chart.
How much does the tide rise and fall here?
The mean tide range at this location is about ~3.3 ft. Spring tides (around the new and full moon) produce the largest swings; neap tides (first and last quarter moon) are smaller. A strong nor-easter can add 2 to 5 feet of storm surge on top of the predictions.
Is the tide here semi-diurnal or diurnal?
Semi-diurnal – two roughly equal high tides and two roughly equal low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes. See our tide glossary for more.
How do I know if it is a spring or neap tide?
Spring tides happen around new and full moon (largest swings); neaps happen at quarter moons. See our lunar and solar gravity page.
Does the chart account for wind and storms?
No – the predictions are astronomical only. A strong NE wind can hold high tide on the beach for hours past the predicted low. Always cross-check with the wind forecast.
Duck Tide Schedule — Today’s High & Low Tides
This Duck tide schedule shows today’s high and low tides for Duck, NC, with hourly predictions and the next high tide and next low tide for Duck. The Duck tide schedule on this page updates daily using NOAA tide predictions.
Use the Duck 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 Duck tide schedule above makes easy to spot.
How to read this Duck tide schedule
- High tide Duck NC — peak water level; best for boat launching in shallow areas and fishing the outgoing tide that follows.
- Low tide Duck NC — minimum water level; safest window for beach driving on soft sand and for searching tide pools.
- Tide times Duck — tides at Duck follow a semidiurnal pattern (two highs and two lows roughly every 24 hours and 50 minutes), so the Duck tide schedule shifts about 50 minutes later each day.
Bookmark this Duck 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 Duck tide schedule predicts.
Duck Tide Schedule FAQ
What time is high tide at Duck today?
Today’s high tide times for Duck, NC are listed in the Duck tide schedule at the top of this page. Duck typically sees two high tides per day, roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes apart.
When is the next low tide at Duck?
The next low tide at Duck is shown in the “Next Low Tide” box above. Low tide at Duck occurs about 6 hours and 12 minutes after the previous high tide.
How accurate is this Duck tide schedule?
Tide predictions for Duck 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 Duck tide schedule by a foot or more.