Shorebite

Lafayette River tide chart

Virginia · near Norfolk (3 mi) · NOAA station 8638671 · times in local time (EDT)

Tides today, Sunday, October 11

12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM4:04 AM · 0.1 ft10:17 AM · 3.6 ft4:48 PM · 0.1 ft10:34 PM · 3.0 ft3.6 ft
  • Low 4:04 AM 0.1 ft
  • High 10:17 AM 3.6 ft
  • Low 4:48 PM 0.1 ft
  • High 10:34 PM 3.0 ft

Sunrise 7:09 AM · Sunset 6:35 PM · New moon (0%)

Fishing forecast

Hour by hour at Lafayette River
98Excellent

Best times

1:00 AM–2:00 AM and 1:00 PM–2:00 PM

New moon (0% lit)

    Biting around here in October

    • Striped bass In seasonSpring and fall runs; moving water at dawn and dusk
    • Bluefish In seasonFast-moving tide and bait schools
    • Tautog In seasonRocks, bridges and wrecks near slack tide

    General seasonal guide for Mid-Atlantic. Seasons, sizes and limits vary, so check your state rules before keeping fish.

    Weather and conditions at Lafayette River

    Loading the National Weather Service forecast… Open it on weather.gov.

    Marine forecast: James River from JRB to HRBT, Including the Elizabeth River

    Loading the latest National Weather Service forecast… Open it on weather.gov.

    Marine radio: weather channels and VHF

    NOAA Weather Radio

    • 162.550 MHz WX1 KHB37, Norfolk, VA (12 mi)
    • 162.425 MHz WX4 WWH26, Mamie, NC (57 mi)

    To get alerts on a weather alert radio, program county code 051710 (City of Norfolk).

    VHF marine channels

    • Ch 16 Distress, safety and calling
    • Ch 9 Boater-to-boater calling
    • Ch 22A Coast Guard safety broadcasts
    • Ch 13 Bridge-to-bridge (big ships, drawbridges)
    • Ch 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A Recreational chat

    Weather radio broadcasts are continuous; VHF channels are the US standard. Local harbors and bridges may use others, so check your chart.

    Live readings from NOAA and the National Weather Service, loaded when you open this page.

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    Recent reports

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    Reports are from visitors and may be wrong. Inappropriate ones are removed.

    Tide times this week

    DayHigh and low tidesSunrise / sunsetMoon
    Sun Oct 11L 4:04 AM 0.1 ftH 10:17 AM 3.6 ftL 4:48 PM 0.1 ftH 10:34 PM 3.0 ft7:09 AM / 6:35 PMNew moon (0%)
    Mon Oct 12L 4:39 AM 0.1 ftH 10:55 AM 3.5 ftL 5:27 PM 0.2 ftH 11:13 PM 2.8 ft7:10 AM / 6:34 PMNew moon (2%)
    Tue Oct 13L 5:14 AM 0.3 ftH 11:33 AM 3.3 ftL 6:04 PM 0.4 ftH 11:53 PM 2.7 ft7:11 AM / 6:33 PMWaxing crescent (6%)
    Wed Oct 14L 5:48 AM 0.4 ftH 12:11 PM 3.1 ftL 6:42 PM 0.5 ft7:12 AM / 6:31 PMWaxing crescent (12%)
    Thu Oct 15H 12:34 AM 2.6 ftL 6:25 AM 0.6 ftH 12:51 PM 3.0 ftL 7:22 PM 0.7 ft7:13 AM / 6:30 PMWaxing crescent (19%)
    Fri Oct 16H 1:18 AM 2.5 ftL 7:06 AM 0.7 ftH 1:35 PM 2.8 ftL 8:10 PM 0.8 ft7:14 AM / 6:28 PMWaxing crescent (28%)
    Sat Oct 17H 2:04 AM 2.4 ftL 7:55 AM 0.8 ftH 2:23 PM 2.7 ftL 9:05 PM 0.9 ft7:15 AM / 6:27 PMFirst quarter (38%)

    Tidal currents near Lafayette River

    From NOAA's current predictions for Seaboard Coast Line RR, Pinner Point, 2.8 miles away. Slack is when the current turns and the water is calmest; flood runs in with the rising tide and ebb runs out with the falling tide. Times are the peak of each run, in knots. The flood runs toward the SE (140°) and the ebb toward the WNW (290°). The strongest current this week is 0.8 knots.

    DaySlack water and peak currents
    Sun Oct 11Ebb 1:07 AM 0.6 knSlack 4:06 AMFlood 7:40 AM 0.8 knSlack 11:20 AMEbb 1:57 PM 0.6 knSlack 5:38 PMFlood 7:57 PM 0.3 knSlack 10:36 PM
    Mon Oct 12Ebb 1:41 AM 0.5 knSlack 4:41 AMFlood 8:20 AM 0.8 knSlack 12:09 PMEbb 2:43 PM 0.5 knSlack 6:27 PMFlood 8:32 PM 0.2 knSlack 10:59 PM
    Tue Oct 13Ebb 2:17 AM 0.5 knSlack 5:20 AMFlood 9:02 AM 0.7 knSlack 12:57 PMEbb 3:30 PM 0.4 knSlack 7:15 PMFlood 9:12 PM 0.2 knSlack 11:28 PM
    Wed Oct 14Ebb 2:58 AM 0.5 knSlack 6:02 AMFlood 9:44 AM 0.7 knSlack 1:43 PMEbb 4:17 PM 0.3 knSlack 8:00 PMFlood 9:55 PM 0.2 kn
    Thu Oct 15Slack 12:10 AMEbb 3:47 AM 0.4 knSlack 6:48 AMFlood 10:24 AM 0.6 knSlack 2:25 PMEbb 5:04 PM 0.3 knSlack 8:42 PMFlood 10:40 PM 0.2 kn
    Fri Oct 16Slack 1:09 AMEbb 4:44 AM 0.3 knSlack 7:38 AMFlood 11:04 AM 0.5 knSlack 3:03 PMEbb 5:51 PM 0.3 knSlack 9:23 PMFlood 11:26 PM 0.2 kn
    Sat Oct 17Slack 2:23 AMEbb 5:46 AM 0.2 knSlack 8:29 AMFlood 11:46 AM 0.4 knSlack 3:41 PMEbb 6:40 PM 0.3 knSlack 10:05 PM

    Current predictions can differ a lot over short distances: check the station location on NOAA before planning a passage.

    Best fishing times at Lafayette River

    The bite score (0 to 100) adds up what anglers watch most: moving water (a tide running harder than usual here scores higher), solunar periods (major periods of about two hours centred on the moon overhead or underfoot, minor periods of about an hour on moonrise and moonset), dawn and dusk light, and how close it is to the new or full moon. Best times are the stretches of the day scoring near that day's top.

    DayBite scoreBest timesMajor periodsMinor periods
    Sun Oct 1198 · Excellent1:00 AM–2:00 AM, 1:00 PM–2:00 PM12:17 AM–2:17 AM, 12:40 PM–2:40 PM7:48 AM–8:48 AM, 6:24 PM–7:24 PM
    Mon Oct 1285 · Excellent2:00 PM–3:00 PM1:03 AM–3:03 AM, 1:26 PM–3:26 PM8:51 AM–9:51 AM, 6:55 PM–7:55 PM
    Tue Oct 1370 · Good3:00 PM–4:00 PM, 2:00 AM–3:00 AM1:50 AM–3:50 AM, 2:14 PM–4:14 PM9:54 AM–10:54 AM, 7:30 PM–8:30 PM
    Wed Oct 1456 · Good3:00 AM–4:00 AM, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM2:39 AM–4:39 AM, 3:04 PM–5:04 PM10:54 AM–11:54 AM, 8:12 PM–9:12 PM
    Thu Oct 1544 · Fair4:00 AM–5:00 AM, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM3:29 AM–5:29 AM, 3:55 PM–5:55 PM11:50 AM–12:50 PM, 9:00 PM–10:00 PM
    Fri Oct 1645 · Fair5:00 PM–7:00 PM4:20 AM–6:20 AM, 4:46 PM–6:46 PM12:39 PM–1:39 PM, 9:54 PM–10:54 PM
    Sat Oct 1744 · Fair6:00 PM–7:00 PM5:11 AM–7:11 AM, 5:35 PM–7:35 PM1:23 PM–2:23 PM, 10:52 PM–11:52 PM

    A planning aid, not a guarantee. Wind, water clarity, bait and pressure changes matter too; the forecast above adds live wind and pressure when you open the page.

    Best daylight low tides in the next two weeks

    The lowest water that falls between sunrise and sunset, for tide pooling and beachcombing.

    1. 0.1 ft at 4:48 PM on Sunday, October 11
    2. 0.2 ft at 2:38 PM on Saturday, October 24
    3. 0.2 ft at 5:27 PM on Monday, October 12
    4. 0.3 ft at 1:48 PM on Friday, October 23
    5. 0.4 ft at 6:04 PM on Tuesday, October 13
    6. 0.5 ft at 12:56 PM on Thursday, October 22

    Tide table: October 11 to November 10, 2026

    Full 2026 tide table Full 2027 tide table

    DayHigh and low tidesSunrise / sunset
    Sun Oct 11L 4:04 AM 0.1 ftH 10:17 AM 3.6 ftL 4:48 PM 0.1 ftH 10:34 PM 3.0 ft7:09 AM / 6:35 PM
    Mon Oct 12L 4:39 AM 0.1 ftH 10:55 AM 3.5 ftL 5:27 PM 0.2 ftH 11:13 PM 2.8 ft7:10 AM / 6:34 PM
    Tue Oct 13L 5:14 AM 0.3 ftH 11:33 AM 3.3 ftL 6:04 PM 0.4 ftH 11:53 PM 2.7 ft7:11 AM / 6:33 PM
    Wed Oct 14L 5:48 AM 0.4 ftH 12:11 PM 3.1 ftL 6:42 PM 0.5 ft7:12 AM / 6:31 PM
    Thu Oct 15H 12:34 AM 2.6 ftL 6:25 AM 0.6 ftH 12:51 PM 3.0 ftL 7:22 PM 0.7 ft7:13 AM / 6:30 PM
    Fri Oct 16H 1:18 AM 2.5 ftL 7:06 AM 0.7 ftH 1:35 PM 2.8 ftL 8:10 PM 0.8 ft7:14 AM / 6:28 PM
    Sat Oct 17H 2:04 AM 2.4 ftL 7:55 AM 0.8 ftH 2:23 PM 2.7 ftL 9:05 PM 0.9 ft7:15 AM / 6:27 PM
    Sun Oct 18H 2:55 AM 2.3 ftL 8:55 AM 0.9 ftH 3:15 PM 2.6 ftL 10:03 PM 0.9 ft7:16 AM / 6:26 PM
    Mon Oct 19H 3:51 AM 2.3 ftL 10:00 AM 0.9 ftH 4:12 PM 2.6 ftL 10:56 PM 0.8 ft7:17 AM / 6:24 PM
    Tue Oct 20H 4:50 AM 2.4 ftL 11:03 AM 0.8 ftH 5:11 PM 2.6 ftL 11:44 PM 0.6 ft7:18 AM / 6:23 PM
    Wed Oct 21H 5:49 AM 2.6 ftL 12:02 PM 0.7 ftH 6:07 PM 2.7 ft7:19 AM / 6:22 PM
    Thu Oct 22L 12:28 AM 0.5 ftH 6:41 AM 2.8 ftL 12:56 PM 0.5 ftH 6:58 PM 2.7 ft7:20 AM / 6:21 PM
    Fri Oct 23L 1:11 AM 0.3 ftH 7:27 AM 3.1 ftL 1:48 PM 0.3 ftH 7:45 PM 2.8 ft7:21 AM / 6:19 PM
    Sat Oct 24L 1:54 AM 0.2 ftH 8:10 AM 3.3 ftL 2:38 PM 0.2 ftH 8:30 PM 2.9 ft7:21 AM / 6:18 PM
    Sun Oct 25L 2:37 AM 0.0 ftH 8:53 AM 3.5 ftL 3:27 PM 0.1 ftH 9:14 PM 2.9 ft7:22 AM / 6:17 PM
    Mon Oct 26L 3:22 AM 0.0 ftH 9:36 AM 3.6 ftL 4:15 PM 0.0 ftH 10:00 PM 2.9 ft7:23 AM / 6:16 PM
    Tue Oct 27L 4:08 AM 0.0 ftH 10:21 AM 3.6 ftL 5:04 PM 0.0 ftH 10:48 PM 2.9 ft7:24 AM / 6:15 PM
    Wed Oct 28L 4:56 AM 0.0 ftH 11:10 AM 3.5 ftL 5:54 PM 0.1 ftH 11:39 PM 2.8 ft7:25 AM / 6:13 PM
    Thu Oct 29L 5:47 AM 0.1 ftH 12:03 PM 3.4 ftL 6:49 PM 0.2 ft7:26 AM / 6:12 PM
    Fri Oct 30H 12:34 AM 2.7 ftL 6:43 AM 0.2 ftH 1:02 PM 3.2 ftL 7:50 PM 0.4 ft7:27 AM / 6:11 PM
    Sat Oct 31H 1:34 AM 2.6 ftL 7:47 AM 0.3 ftH 2:06 PM 3.0 ftL 8:59 PM 0.4 ft7:28 AM / 6:10 PM
    Sun Nov 1H 1:40 AM 2.6 ftL 8:01 AM 0.5 ftH 2:14 PM 2.9 ftL 9:09 PM 0.4 ft6:29 AM / 5:09 PM
    Mon Nov 2H 2:51 AM 2.6 ftL 9:18 AM 0.5 ftH 3:26 PM 2.8 ftL 10:11 PM 0.3 ft6:31 AM / 5:08 PM
    Tue Nov 3H 4:05 AM 2.7 ftL 10:29 AM 0.4 ftH 4:36 PM 2.8 ftL 11:05 PM 0.2 ft6:32 AM / 5:07 PM
    Wed Nov 4H 5:12 AM 2.9 ftL 11:31 AM 0.3 ftH 5:36 PM 2.8 ftL 11:52 PM 0.1 ft6:33 AM / 5:06 PM
    Thu Nov 5H 6:08 AM 3.1 ftL 12:27 PM 0.2 ftH 6:27 PM 2.8 ft6:34 AM / 5:05 PM
    Fri Nov 6L 12:35 AM 0.0 ftH 6:54 AM 3.3 ftL 1:18 PM 0.1 ftH 7:10 PM 2.8 ft6:35 AM / 5:04 PM
    Sat Nov 7L 1:15 AM 0.0 ftH 7:35 AM 3.4 ftL 2:04 PM 0.0 ftH 7:51 PM 2.8 ft6:36 AM / 5:03 PM
    Sun Nov 8L 1:54 AM 0.0 ftH 8:13 AM 3.4 ftL 2:45 PM 0.0 ftH 8:29 PM 2.7 ft6:37 AM / 5:02 PM
    Mon Nov 9L 2:31 AM 0.1 ftH 8:50 AM 3.4 ftL 3:24 PM 0.1 ftH 9:07 PM 2.7 ft6:38 AM / 5:01 PM
    Tue Nov 10L 3:07 AM 0.1 ftH 9:25 AM 3.2 ftL 4:00 PM 0.1 ftH 9:45 PM 2.6 ft6:39 AM / 5:01 PM

    Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero line on most US nautical charts. A minus height means the water drops below that line.

    Around Lafayette River

    Beaches

    Boat ramps

    Marinas

    Fishing piers and docks

    Distances from the tide station. Places from © OpenStreetMap contributors; links open in Google Maps.

    Fish in the waters around Lafayette River

    40 kinds of fish, sharks and rays have been recorded within 15 km (about 9 miles) of this spot, most often Summer Flounder, Bay Anchovy, Hogchoker. The bar shows how many records each has.

    • Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatusSalt water · 20 records
    • Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilliSalt water · 19 records
    • Hogchoker Trinectes maculatusSalt water · 18 records
    • Striped Cusk-eel Ophidion marginatumSalt water · 17 records
    • Feather Blenny Hypsoblennius hentzSalt water · 16 records
    • Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatusSalt water · 16 records
    • Seaboard Goby Gobiosoma ginsburgiSalt water · 16 records
    • Spot Croaker Leiostomus xanthurusSalt water · 15 records
    • Weakfish Cynoscion regalisSalt water · 14 records
    • Rough Silverside Membras martinicaSalt water · 14 records
    • Clearnose Skate Raja eglanteriaSalt water · 14 records
    • Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalusSalt water · 13 records
    • Northern Pipefish Syngnathus fuscusSalt water · 10 records
    • Oyster Toadfish Opsanus tauSalt water · 10 records
    • Northern Stargazer Astroscopus guttatusSalt water · 10 records
    • Silver Croaker Bairdiella chrysouraSalt water · 10 records
    • Pigfish Orthopristis chrysopteraSalt water · 9 records
    • Atlantic Silverside Menidia menidiaSalt water · 9 records
    • Alewife Alosa pseudoharengusSalt water · 9 records
    • Naked Goby Gobiosoma boscSalt water · 9 records
    • Florida Pompano Trachinotus carolinusSalt water · 9 records
    • American Halfbeak Hyporhamphus meekiSalt water · 8 records
    • Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosusSalt water · 8 records
    • Black Sea Bass Centropristis striataSalt water · 7 records
    • Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faberSalt water · 7 records
    • Butterfish Peprilus triacanthusSalt water · 7 records
    • Broad-striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetusSalt water · 7 records
    • Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrixSalt water · 7 records
    • Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannusSalt water · 7 records
    • Tautog Tautoga onitisSalt water · 6 records
    • Grey Snapper Lutjanus griseusSalt water · 6 records
    • American Harvestfish Peprilus paruSalt water · 6 records
    • Orange Filefish Aluterus schoepfiiSalt water · 6 records
    • Silver Hake Merluccius bilinearisSalt water · 6 records
    • Lined Seahorse Hippocampus erectusSalt water · 6 records
    • Striped Killifish Fundulus majalisSalt water · 6 records
    • Black Drum Pogonias cromisSalt water · 6 records
    • Northern Puffer Sphoeroides maculatusSalt water · 5 records
    • Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalisSalt water · 5 records
    • Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianumSalt water · 5 records

    Records from GBIF datasets released under CC0 or CC BY 4.0 (museum collections, surveys and community sightings). It shows what has been found here, not a complete list. Check your state rules before keeping fish.

    About the tides at Lafayette River

    Lafayette River gets two high tides and two low tides almost every day, and the two highs are close in height. Over the next month the water typically rises or falls about 2.6 ft between a high and the next low.

    The biggest swings in this window come around Tuesday, October 27, when the day's range reaches 3.6 ft, and again around Sunday, October 11 (3.5 ft). Those spring tides follow the new and full moon by a day or two. The calmest day is Sunday, October 18, with only 1.7 ft between the day's highest and lowest water.

    The lowest tide of the month is 0.0 ft at 4:08 AM on Tuesday, October 27. There are 4 minus tides (lows below the chart's zero line) in this window: the best times for tide pools, clamming and walking the flats.

    The highest predicted tide is 3.6 ft at 10:21 AM on Tuesday, October 27. Onshore wind or a storm can push the real water level above that.

    This is a reference (harmonic) station: NOAA predicts its tides directly from years of measured water levels here, which makes it among the most reliable predictions on the coast.

    Station details

    Nearby tide stations

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