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.