Tide pooling in North Carolina: best low tides
The best tide pool days are low tides that are among a spot's lowest of the year and fall in daylight. In North Carolina they come mostly in January to March. The next stretch of tide pool lows across the state is Dec 24–27. Dates, times and heights below come from NOAA predictions for 65 spots, worked out for the next 12 months.
Tide pools in every state · North Carolina king tides
Tide pool season in North Carolina
Average number of good tide pool days per spot, month by month:
Best tide pool days statewide
| Dates | Best day | Spots with a good low that day |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 24–27 | Fri Dec 25 | 45 of 65 spots |
| Jan 20–27 | Fri Jan 22 | 55 of 65 spots |
| Feb 18–24 | Sun Feb 21 | 56 of 65 spots |
| Mar 20–24 | Sun Mar 21 | 47 of 65 spots |
| Jun 4–7 | Sat Jun 5 | 40 of 65 spots |
| Jul 2–6 | Sun Jul 4 | 49 of 65 spots |
| Jul 31–Aug 4 | Mon Aug 2 | 43 of 65 spots |
| Aug 31–Sep 1 | Tue Aug 31 | 24 of 65 spots |
Tide pool lows for your spot
Next good low
Showing all 65 spots
| Spot | Next tide pool lows | Lowest |
|---|---|---|
| Pungo River, Route 45, Nc | Oct 27–30 middays then Nov 24–28, Dec 25–26 | 0.2 ft Thu Oct 29, 11:58 AM 11 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sea Level | Oct 30–31 mornings then Nov 29, Dec 28 | 0.0 ft Fri Oct 30, 8:51 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oregon Inlet (USCG Station) | Nov 25–27 afternoons then Dec 23–27, Jan 10–11 | -0.4 ft Wed Nov 25, 2:04 PM 8 good days in the next 3 months |
| Zekes Island | Nov 25–26 afternoons then Dec 23–26, Jan 21–25 | -0.2 ft Thu Nov 26, 3:58 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oriental, Neuse River | Dec 13–17 mornings then Jan 11, May 30–Jun 1 | 0.1 ft Sun Dec 13, 8:37 AM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cedar Island | Dec 15–18 mornings then Jan 13, Jun 2–4 | -0.1 ft Tue Dec 15, 8:30 AM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Manns Harbor, Croatan Sound | Dec 15–17 mornings then Dec 29–31, Jan 14–15 | -0.1 ft Tue Dec 15, 8:23 AM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oyster Creek, Croatan Sound | Dec 15–17 mornings then Dec 29, 2026–Jan 1, 2027, Jan 14–17 | 0.0 ft Tue Dec 15, 8:27 AM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Roanoke Marshes Light, Croatan Sound | Dec 15–18 mornings then Dec 29, 2026–Jan 2, 2027, Jan 14–17 | 0.0 ft Tue Dec 15, 8:32 AM 9 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Lookout Bight | Dec 23–28 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:04 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Davis Slough | Dec 23–26 afternoons then Jan 6–12, Jan 19–25 | 0.0 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:42 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Duck Pier | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:28 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Harkers Island Bridge | Dec 23–25 afternoons then Jan 21–24, Feb 19–23 | -0.3 ft Fri Dec 25, 4:56 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Jennettes Pier, Nags Head (ocean) | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.8 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:29 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Kitty Hawk (ocean) | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.8 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:30 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| North River Bridge | Dec 23–24 afternoons then Jan 21–23, Feb 19–22 | -0.3 ft Thu Dec 24, 4:42 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Roanoke Sound Channel | Dec 23–24 afternoons then Jan 5–9, Jan 18–24 | 0.0 ft Wed Dec 23, 3:15 PM 6 good days in the next 3 months |
| Shinn Point, Icww | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 9 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:00 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wrightsville Beach | Dec 23–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.7 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:30 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Atlantic Beach | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:12 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Atlantic Beach Bridge | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:27 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bald Head | Dec 24–28 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 18–24 | -0.6 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:20 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Beaufort Inlet Channel Range | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.8 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:36 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Beaufort, Duke Marine Lab | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:57 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Beaufort, Taylor Creek | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:13 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Bowen Point, Shallotte Inlet | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.7 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:57 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Hatteras Fishing Pier | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:25 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Cape Lookout (ocean) | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:03 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Channel Marker Lt. 59 | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 21–25, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:52 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Coral Bay, Atlantic Beach | Dec 24–25 afternoons then Jan 21–24, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 4:39 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Core Creek Bridge | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 20–25, Feb 10–11 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:50 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Federal Point | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 20–26, Feb 18–24 | -0.5 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:11 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fort Caswell | Dec 24–28 afternoons then Jan 20–27, Feb 18–24 | -0.7 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:18 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Fort Macon, USCG Station | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:43 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Gallant Channel | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:09 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Hampstead | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 20–25, Feb 9–10 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:50 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Lenoxville Point | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 21–25, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:36 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Morehead City | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:52 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| New River Inlet | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:42 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Newport River (Yacht Club) | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 21–25, Feb 19–24 | -0.5 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:38 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ocean City Beach (fishing pier) | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:24 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oregon Inlet Bridge | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 6–11, Jan 19–26 | -0.1 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:48 PM 7 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oregon Inlet Marina | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 7–11, Jan 19–25 | -0.1 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:43 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Orton Point | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 20–25, Feb 18–24 | -0.6 ft Sat Dec 26, 5:05 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Reaves Point | Dec 24–26 afternoons then Jan 20–25, Feb 18–24 | -0.6 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:45 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sunny Point Army Base, Wharf no.1 | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 20–26, Feb 18–24 | -0.5 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:18 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sunset Beach Pier | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 22–25, Feb 21 | -0.8 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:36 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Wilmington | Dec 24 afternoon then Jan 20–23, Feb 18–23 | -0.5 ft Thu Dec 24, 4:23 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Wilmington Beach | Dec 24–27 afternoons then Jan 21–27, Feb 19–24 | -0.6 ft Fri Dec 25, 2:35 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Morehead City Harbor | Dec 25–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–25 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:47 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oak Island, Yaupon Beach | Dec 25–27 afternoons then Jan 21–26, Feb 19–23 | -0.6 ft Sat Dec 26, 3:20 PM 3 good days in the next 3 months |
| Oregon Inlet Channel | Dec 25–26 afternoons then Jan 7–11, Jan 19–26 | 0.0 ft Fri Dec 25, 3:09 PM 4 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sunny Point Army Base, Wharf no.3 | Dec 25–26 afternoons then Jan 18–25, Feb 16–23 | 0.1 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:58 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Varnamtown, Lockwoods Folly River | Dec 25–26 afternoons then Jan 21–25, Feb 19–24 | -0.4 ft Sat Dec 26, 4:45 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Southport | Dec 26–27 afternoons then Jan 22–26, Feb 20–23 | -0.3 ft Sun Dec 27, 4:39 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Ocracoke, Pamlico Sound | Jan 4–8 middays then Jan 19–26, Jan 31–Feb 6 | -0.3 ft Tue Jan 5, 1:12 PM 5 good days in the next 3 months |
| Rodanthe, Pamlico Sound | Jan 6 afternoon then Jan 19–22, Jan 27–Feb 7 | 0.0 ft Wed Jan 6, 4:23 PM 1 good day in the next 3 months |
| Hatteras (ocean) | Jan 7–10 afternoons then Jan 20–24, Feb 4–9 | -0.1 ft Sun Jan 10, 5:04 PM 2 good days in the next 3 months |
| Engelhard | Jan 13–17 mornings then Jan 27–28, Feb 4–6 | -0.2 ft Wed Jan 13, 8:47 AM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Davis, Core Sound | Jan 22 afternoon then Jan 27, Feb 20–22 | -0.2 ft Fri Jan 22, 4:53 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Old House Channel | Jan 22–25 afternoons then Feb 5–11, Feb 21–23 | -0.1 ft Sat Jan 23, 3:23 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Sneads Ferry, New River | Jan 22–24 afternoons then Feb 6–9, Feb 19–23 | -0.4 ft Sun Jan 24, 5:13 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| SpoonersCreek | Jan 22–24 afternoons then Feb 19–23, Mar 21–24 | -0.3 ft Sun Jan 24, 5:06 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Swansboro, East Corbett Ave. Bridge | Jan 23–24 afternoons then Feb 20–23, Jun 5–6 | -0.3 ft Sun Jan 24, 5:12 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
| Peter's Ditch | Apr 19–22 afternoons then May 6–9, May 17–21 | 0.1 ft Tue Apr 20, 5:15 PM 0 good days in the next 3 months |
Tide pool tips
Go before the low
Arrive about an hour before low tide and head back as soon as the water turns.
Watch the waves
Sneaker waves run far up rocky shores, especially on the Pacific. Never turn your back on the ocean.
Step on bare rock
Seaweed and barnacles are slippery and alive. Wear shoes with grip and step on bare rock or sand.
Look, don't take
Touch gently with a wet finger, put rocks back as you found them, and leave animals and shells. Many tide pools are protected.
How these dates are worked out
For every spot we take NOAA's low tide predictions for the next 12 months. A low counts as a tide pool low when it's in that spot's lowest 10% and comes between an hour after sunrise and sunset, so there's light for the hour before it. Heights are feet above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero on tide charts; below zero is a minus tide. Wind and swell can keep the water higher than predicted. Not for navigation.