Hatteras Tide Chart, Tide Times & Tide Schedule
Live tide predictions for Hatteras Village and Hatteras Inlet, NC. High and low tides, tide times, and a 3-day tide chart for surf fishing, beach driving, kiteboarding, and boating around Cape Hatteras.
About tides at Hatteras Village and Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras sits at the elbow of the Outer Banks, where the barrier islands swing from north-south to east-west. The combination of Cape Hatteras, Diamond Shoals just offshore, and Hatteras Inlet to the south makes the tide here behave a little differently than it does up the beach at Nags Head or Duck. Mean tide range is modest (usually under 2 feet), but currents through Hatteras Inlet and across the cape can be strong, especially around the spring tides of a new or full moon. Because of the cape itself, the timing of high tide at Hatteras lags Duck by roughly 30 to 60 minutes.
Best tides for fishing
Cape Point and the surf at Hatteras Village are some of the most productive surf fishing beaches on the East Coast. As a general rule, the two hours before high tide and the first two hours of the outgoing (ebb) tide are the prime window for red drum, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and false albacore. 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
The drivable beach south of Ramp 44 (Buxton) and around Cape Point can pinch off completely at high tide, especially on a spring tide or when an east wind is piling water up against the dunes. Plan to be on the beach during the falling half of the tide and off before the next high. 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.
Hatteras tide FAQ
What time is high tide today?
The chart above shows today high and low tide times based on NOAA prediction for station 8654467. 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 ~1.6 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.