Live tide predictions for Coquina Beach on Bodie Island, NC. Times reference the Oregon Inlet primary gauge a few miles south with a local offset of about minus 5 to minus 10 minutes.
About tides at Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach is the main public access on Bodie Island between Nags Head and Oregon Inlet. It is one of the most popular stretches for surf fishing and beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Laura A. Barnes shipwreck sits on the dune. Tide behavior tracks Oregon Inlet closely with a tiny lead.
Live tide data
This is a sub-station — tide times are predicted from the Oregon Inlet (8652587) primary gauge. For the interactive tide chart with high and low markers, use the parent station’s page.
Best tides for surf fishing at Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach has well-defined bars and sloughs that hold red drum and pompano on the dropping tide. Cut bait on a fish-finder rig, dropped just over the second bar in a slough, is the classic setup.
Beach driving and tides at Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach is inside the Cape Hatteras National Seashore so it requires an NPS ORV permit. Ramps 1 through 4 access this stretch. Confirm seasonal closures for shorebird and turtle nesting before driving.
Coquina Beach tide FAQ
What time is high tide today at Coquina Beach?
The chart above shows today’s high and low tide times for Coquina Beach, predicted from NOAA data for the Oregon Inlet reference station (8652587). The current time is marked with a red line, and the next high tide is labeled in the summary beneath the chart. Coquina Beach tracks Oregon Inlet closely, with an offset of about minus 5 to minus 10 minutes.
How much does the tide rise and fall at Coquina Beach?
Coquina Beach’s oceanfront range is about 3 feet (nearest ocean reference: Jennette’s Pier / Duck predictions). The Oregon Inlet Marina gauge inside the inlet reads only 0.9 ft and lags the surf. Spring tides around the new and full moon produce the largest swings, while neap tides at the quarter moons are smaller. A strong nor’easter can add 2 to 5 feet of storm surge on top of the predictions.
When is the best tide for surf fishing at Coquina Beach?
Coquina Beach has well-defined bars and sloughs that hold red drum and pompano on the dropping tide. A cut bait on a fish-finder rig, dropped just over the second bar in a slough, is the classic setup. Fish the couple of hours around a tide change for the most consistent bite.
Do I need a permit to drive on Coquina Beach?
Yes. Coquina Beach is inside the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, so beach driving requires an NPS ORV permit. Ramps 1 through 4 access this stretch. Always confirm seasonal closures for shorebird and turtle nesting before driving, and time your trip around the tide so you are not caught on a narrow beach at high water.
Do the predictions account for wind and storms?
No – the predictions are astronomical only. A strong northeast wind can hold high tide on the beach for hours past the predicted time, and storm surge is not included. Always cross-check with the wind and surf forecast before timing beach driving or fishing.
Related
- Oregon Inlet (8652587) primary tide chart
- All OBX tide charts
- OBX surf fishing — best tides and tactics
- Beach driving permits guide
Planning Your Visit Around the Coquina Beach Tide
Coquina Beach on Bodie Island is one of the most accessible day-use beaches in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with paved parking, bathhouses, and lifeguards in season. The beach faces southeast and picks up both northern and southern swells. Check the Coquina Beach tide chart before you go — low tide reveals the widest, firmest sand and the best shelling, while high tide brings the surf closer to the dune line and produces better conditions for shore fishing in the nearshore troughs.