Shorebite

Messick Point, Back River tide chart

Virginia · near Poquoson (2 mi) · NOAA station 8638051 · times in local time (EDT)

Tides today, Sunday, October 11

12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM3:58 AM · 0.3 ft10:09 AM · 3.2 ft4:40 PM · 0.4 ft10:21 PM · 2.7 ft3.2 ft
  • Low 3:58 AM 0.3 ft
  • High 10:09 AM 3.2 ft
  • Low 4:40 PM 0.4 ft
  • High 10:21 PM 2.7 ft

Sunrise 7:10 AM · Sunset 6:35 PM · New moon (0%)

Fishing forecast

Hour by hour at Messick Point, Back 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 Messick Point, Back River

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

    Marine forecast: Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA

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

    • Water temperature —
    • Nearest weather buoy York Spit, VA (7 mi): waves, wind and water temperature
    Marine radio: weather channels and VHF

    NOAA Weather Radio

    • 162.550 MHz WX1 KHB37, Norfolk, VA (22 mi)
    • 162.500 MHz WX6 KAE42, Providence Forge, VA (48 mi)

    To get alerts on a weather alert radio, program county code 051650 (City of Hampton).

    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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    Tide times this week

    DayHigh and low tidesSunrise / sunsetMoon
    Sun Oct 11L 3:58 AM 0.3 ftH 10:09 AM 3.2 ftL 4:40 PM 0.4 ftH 10:21 PM 2.7 ft7:10 AM / 6:35 PMNew moon (0%)
    Mon Oct 12L 4:34 AM 0.3 ftH 10:46 AM 3.2 ftL 5:19 PM 0.5 ftH 10:59 PM 2.6 ft7:11 AM / 6:34 PMNew moon (2%)
    Tue Oct 13L 5:08 AM 0.4 ftH 11:23 AM 3.1 ftL 5:59 PM 0.6 ftH 11:39 PM 2.5 ft7:12 AM / 6:32 PMWaxing crescent (6%)
    Wed Oct 14L 5:43 AM 0.6 ftH 12:02 PM 3.0 ftL 6:41 PM 0.7 ft7:12 AM / 6:31 PMWaxing crescent (12%)
    Thu Oct 15H 12:20 AM 2.4 ftL 6:20 AM 0.7 ftH 12:43 PM 2.8 ftL 7:27 PM 0.8 ft7:13 AM / 6:30 PMWaxing crescent (19%)
    Fri Oct 16H 1:05 AM 2.3 ftL 7:04 AM 0.8 ftH 1:28 PM 2.7 ftL 8:17 PM 0.9 ft7:14 AM / 6:28 PMWaxing crescent (28%)
    Sat Oct 17H 1:52 AM 2.2 ftL 7:55 AM 0.9 ftH 2:16 PM 2.6 ftL 9:10 PM 0.9 ft7:15 AM / 6:27 PMFirst quarter (38%)

    Tidal currents near Messick Point, Back River

    From NOAA's current predictions for York Spit Light, 0.8 mile southwest of, 6.9 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 NW (323°) and the ebb toward the SE (145°). The strongest current this week is 1.4 knots.

    DaySlack water and peak currents
    Sun Oct 11Slack 12:08 AMEbb 3:03 AM 1.1 knSlack 5:37 AMFlood 9:21 AM 1.4 knSlack 1:15 PMEbb 3:53 PM 1.1 knSlack 7:09 PMFlood 9:38 PM 0.5 kn
    Mon Oct 12Slack 12:31 AMEbb 3:37 AM 1.1 knSlack 6:12 AMFlood 10:01 AM 1.4 knSlack 2:04 PMEbb 4:39 PM 0.9 knSlack 7:58 PMFlood 10:13 PM 0.4 kn
    Tue Oct 13Slack 12:54 AMEbb 4:13 AM 1.0 knSlack 6:51 AMFlood 10:43 AM 1.3 knSlack 2:52 PMEbb 5:26 PM 0.8 knSlack 8:46 PMFlood 10:53 PM 0.3 kn
    Wed Oct 14Slack 1:23 AMEbb 4:54 AM 0.9 knSlack 7:33 AMFlood 11:25 AM 1.2 knSlack 3:38 PMEbb 6:13 PM 0.7 knSlack 9:31 PMFlood 11:36 PM 0.3 kn
    Thu Oct 15Slack 2:05 AMEbb 5:43 AM 0.8 knSlack 8:19 AMFlood 12:05 PM 1.1 knSlack 4:20 PMEbb 7:00 PM 0.6 knSlack 10:13 PM
    Fri Oct 16Flood 12:21 AM 0.3 knSlack 3:04 AMEbb 6:40 AM 0.6 knSlack 9:09 AMFlood 12:45 PM 0.9 knSlack 4:58 PMEbb 7:47 PM 0.6 knSlack 10:54 PM
    Sat Oct 17Flood 1:07 AM 0.3 knSlack 4:18 AMEbb 7:42 AM 0.5 knSlack 10:00 AMFlood 1:27 PM 0.8 knSlack 5:36 PMEbb 8:36 PM 0.6 knSlack 11:36 PM

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

    Best fishing times at Messick Point, Back 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 PM7:49 AM–8:49 AM, 6:24 PM–7:24 PM
    Mon Oct 1283 · Excellent2:00 PM–3:00 PM1:03 AM–3:03 AM, 1:26 PM–3:26 PM8:52 AM–9:52 AM, 6:54 PM–7:54 PM
    Tue Oct 1368 · Good3:00 PM–4:00 PM, 2:00 AM–3:00 AM1:50 AM–3:50 AM, 2:14 PM–4:14 PM9:55 AM–10:55 AM, 7:30 PM–8:30 PM
    Wed Oct 1455 · Good3:00 AM–4:00 AM, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM2:39 AM–4:39 AM, 3:04 PM–5:04 PM10:55 AM–11:55 AM, 8:11 PM–9:11 PM
    Thu Oct 1543 · Fair4:00 PM–6:00 PM, 4:00 AM–5:00 AM3:30 AM–5:30 AM, 3:55 PM–5:55 PM11:51 AM–12:51 PM, 8:59 PM–9:59 PM
    Fri Oct 1645 · Fair5:00 PM–7:00 PM4:21 AM–6:21 AM, 4:46 PM–6:46 PM12:40 PM–1:40 PM, 9:53 PM–10:53 PM
    Sat Oct 1744 · Fair6:00 PM–7:00 PM5:11 AM–7:11 AM, 5:36 PM–7:36 PM1:24 PM–2:24 PM, 10:51 PM–11:51 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. 0.4 ft at 4:40 PM on Sunday, October 11
    2. 0.4 ft at 2:34 PM on Saturday, October 24
    3. 0.5 ft at 5:19 PM on Monday, October 12
    4. 0.5 ft at 1:45 PM on Friday, October 23
    5. 0.6 ft at 5:59 PM on Tuesday, October 13
    6. 0.7 ft at 12:55 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 3:58 AM 0.3 ftH 10:09 AM 3.2 ftL 4:40 PM 0.4 ftH 10:21 PM 2.7 ft7:10 AM / 6:35 PM
    Mon Oct 12L 4:34 AM 0.3 ftH 10:46 AM 3.2 ftL 5:19 PM 0.5 ftH 10:59 PM 2.6 ft7:11 AM / 6:34 PM
    Tue Oct 13L 5:08 AM 0.4 ftH 11:23 AM 3.1 ftL 5:59 PM 0.6 ftH 11:39 PM 2.5 ft7:12 AM / 6:32 PM
    Wed Oct 14L 5:43 AM 0.6 ftH 12:02 PM 3.0 ftL 6:41 PM 0.7 ft7:12 AM / 6:31 PM
    Thu Oct 15H 12:20 AM 2.4 ftL 6:20 AM 0.7 ftH 12:43 PM 2.8 ftL 7:27 PM 0.8 ft7:13 AM / 6:30 PM
    Fri Oct 16H 1:05 AM 2.3 ftL 7:04 AM 0.8 ftH 1:28 PM 2.7 ftL 8:17 PM 0.9 ft7:14 AM / 6:28 PM
    Sat Oct 17H 1:52 AM 2.2 ftL 7:55 AM 0.9 ftH 2:16 PM 2.6 ftL 9:10 PM 0.9 ft7:15 AM / 6:27 PM
    Sun Oct 18H 2:43 AM 2.1 ftL 8:53 AM 1.0 ftH 3:07 PM 2.5 ftL 10:04 PM 0.9 ft7:16 AM / 6:26 PM
    Mon Oct 19H 3:40 AM 2.1 ftL 9:57 AM 1.0 ftH 4:05 PM 2.5 ftL 10:57 PM 0.9 ft7:17 AM / 6:24 PM
    Tue Oct 20H 4:45 AM 2.2 ftL 11:02 AM 0.9 ftH 5:07 PM 2.5 ftL 11:45 PM 0.8 ft7:18 AM / 6:23 PM
    Wed Oct 21H 5:45 AM 2.4 ftL 12:02 PM 0.8 ftH 6:03 PM 2.5 ft7:19 AM / 6:22 PM
    Thu Oct 22L 12:28 AM 0.6 ftH 6:34 AM 2.6 ftL 12:55 PM 0.7 ftH 6:50 PM 2.6 ft7:20 AM / 6:21 PM
    Fri Oct 23L 1:09 AM 0.5 ftH 7:18 AM 2.8 ftL 1:45 PM 0.5 ftH 7:35 PM 2.7 ft7:21 AM / 6:19 PM
    Sat Oct 24L 1:50 AM 0.3 ftH 8:00 AM 3.0 ftL 2:34 PM 0.4 ftH 8:20 PM 2.7 ft7:22 AM / 6:18 PM
    Sun Oct 25L 2:33 AM 0.2 ftH 8:43 AM 3.2 ftL 3:22 PM 0.3 ftH 9:05 PM 2.7 ft7:23 AM / 6:17 PM
    Mon Oct 26L 3:16 AM 0.1 ftH 9:27 AM 3.3 ftL 4:09 PM 0.2 ftH 9:50 PM 2.7 ft7:24 AM / 6:16 PM
    Tue Oct 27L 4:00 AM 0.1 ftH 10:13 AM 3.4 ftL 4:56 PM 0.2 ftH 10:36 PM 2.6 ft7:25 AM / 6:14 PM
    Wed Oct 28L 4:45 AM 0.1 ftH 11:00 AM 3.3 ftL 5:45 PM 0.2 ftH 11:25 PM 2.6 ft7:26 AM / 6:13 PM
    Thu Oct 29L 5:33 AM 0.1 ftH 11:52 AM 3.3 ftL 6:40 PM 0.3 ft7:27 AM / 6:12 PM
    Fri Oct 30H 12:19 AM 2.5 ftL 6:27 AM 0.2 ftH 12:49 PM 3.1 ftL 7:41 PM 0.4 ft7:28 AM / 6:11 PM
    Sat Oct 31H 1:18 AM 2.4 ftL 7:30 AM 0.3 ftH 1:49 PM 3.0 ftL 8:45 PM 0.5 ft7:29 AM / 6:10 PM
    Sun Nov 1H 1:22 AM 2.4 ftL 7:41 AM 0.4 ftH 1:52 PM 2.8 ftL 8:49 PM 0.5 ft6:30 AM / 5:09 PM
    Mon Nov 2H 2:30 AM 2.4 ftL 8:54 AM 0.5 ftH 3:00 PM 2.7 ftL 9:50 PM 0.5 ft6:31 AM / 5:08 PM
    Tue Nov 3H 3:46 AM 2.5 ftL 10:08 AM 0.5 ftH 4:12 PM 2.6 ftL 10:47 PM 0.4 ft6:32 AM / 5:07 PM
    Wed Nov 4H 4:55 AM 2.6 ftL 11:14 AM 0.5 ftH 5:15 PM 2.5 ftL 11:37 PM 0.3 ft6:33 AM / 5:06 PM
    Thu Nov 5H 5:52 AM 2.8 ftL 12:13 PM 0.4 ftH 6:06 PM 2.5 ft6:34 AM / 5:05 PM
    Fri Nov 6L 12:23 AM 0.2 ftH 6:41 AM 2.9 ftL 1:07 PM 0.3 ftH 6:53 PM 2.5 ft6:35 AM / 5:04 PM
    Sat Nov 7L 1:07 AM 0.2 ftH 7:25 AM 3.0 ftL 1:56 PM 0.3 ftH 7:36 PM 2.5 ft6:36 AM / 5:03 PM
    Sun Nov 8L 1:49 AM 0.2 ftH 8:06 AM 3.0 ftL 2:40 PM 0.3 ftH 8:18 PM 2.4 ft6:37 AM / 5:02 PM
    Mon Nov 9L 2:29 AM 0.2 ftH 8:44 AM 3.0 ftL 3:20 PM 0.3 ftH 8:57 PM 2.4 ft6:38 AM / 5:01 PM
    Tue Nov 10L 3:06 AM 0.2 ftH 9:20 AM 2.9 ftL 3:57 PM 0.3 ftH 9:35 PM 2.3 ft6:39 AM / 5:00 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 Messick Point, Back 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 Messick Point, Back River

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

    • Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatusSalt water · 150 records
    • Spot Croaker Leiostomus xanthurusSalt water · 132 records
    • Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatusSalt water · 126 records
    • Weakfish Cynoscion regalisSalt water · 98 records
    • Butterfish Peprilus triacanthusSalt water · 90 records
    • Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilliSalt water · 72 records
    • Porgy Stenotomus chrysopsSalt water · 70 records
    • Northern Puffer Sphoeroides maculatusSalt water · 64 records
    • American Harvestfish Peprilus paruSalt water · 58 records
    • Clearnose Skate Raja eglanteriaSalt water · 54 records
    • Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasusSalt water · 46 records
    • Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosusSalt water · 42 records
    • Northern Searobin Prionotus carolinusSalt water · 40 records
    • Striped Bass Morone saxatilisSalt water · 39 records
    • Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrixSalt water · 33 records
    • Hogchoker Trinectes maculatusSalt water · 32 records
    • Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannusSalt water · 30 records
    • Smooth Butterfly Ray Gymnura micruraSalt water · 29 records
    • Black Sea Bass Centropristis striataSalt water · 28 records
    • Striped Searobin Prionotus evolansSalt water · 25 records
    • Silver Croaker Bairdiella chrysouraSalt water · 23 records
    • Smooth Dogfish Mustelus canisSalt water · 23 records
    • Oyster Toadfish Opsanus tauSalt water · 21 records
    • Atlantic Moonfish Selene setapinnisSalt water · 20 records
    • Atlantic Spadefish Chaetodipterus faberSalt water · 20 records
    • Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalusSalt water · 18 records
    • Alewife Alosa pseudoharengusSalt water · 18 records
    • Broad-striped Anchovy Anchoa hepsetusSalt water · 18 records
    • Striped Burrfish Chilomycterus schoepfiiSalt water · 17 records
    • Bullnose Eagle Ray Myliobatis freminvilleiSalt water · 17 records
    • Striped Cusk-eel Ophidion marginatumSalt water · 17 records
    • Black Drum Pogonias cromisSalt water · 17 records
    • Southern Stingray Hypanus americanusSalt water · 17 records
    • Gulf Minkfish Menticirrhus saxatilisSalt water · 16 records
    • Spiny Butterfly Ray Gymnura altavelaSalt water · 16 records
    • Feather Blenny Hypsoblennius hentzSalt water · 15 records
    • Spotted Hake Urophycis regiaSalt water · 15 records
    • Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalisSalt water · 14 records
    • Pigfish Orthopristis chrysopteraSalt water · 13 records
    • Atlantic Silverside Menidia menidiaSalt water · 12 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 Messick Point, Back River

    Messick Point, Back 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 2.2 ft between a high and the next low.

    The biggest swings in this window come around Wednesday, October 28, when the day's range reaches 3.3 ft, and again around Sunday, October 11 (3.0 ft). Those spring tides follow the new and full moon by a day or two. The calmest day is Sunday, October 18, with only 1.6 ft between the day's highest and lowest water.

    The lowest tide of the month is 0.1 ft at 4:45 AM on Wednesday, October 28.

    The highest predicted tide is 3.4 ft at 10:13 AM on Tuesday, October 27. Onshore wind or a storm can push the real water level above that.

    This is a subordinate station: NOAA calculates its times and heights by adjusting a nearby reference station, so expect them to be a few minutes or a few tenths of a foot off on any given day.

    Station details

    Reference station: Hampton Roads (Sewells Point).

    Nearby tide stations

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