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