Tide conditions for Nags Head surf spots
Nags Head, North Carolina
Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.
A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Nags Head. These 4 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.
Current Tide
Next Low
12:00 AM
1.1 ft
NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data
Tide Chart
7-Day Tide Schedule
| Day | High 1 | Low 1 | High 2 | Low 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 9:30 AM(3.6ft) | 3:00 AM(1.1ft) | 10:00 PM(2.9ft) | 4:00 PM(1.1ft) |
| Tomorrow | 10:00 AM(3.6ft) | 4:00 AM(1.3ft) | 11:00 PM(2.7ft) | 5:00 PM(1.2ft) |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 11:00 AM(3.5ft) | 5:00 AM(1.5ft) | 11:00 PM(2.7ft) | 6:00 PM(1.3ft) |
| Mon, Nov 16 | 12:00 PM(3.3ft) | 5:00 AM(1.6ft) | -- | 6:00 PM(1.3ft) |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 12:00 AM(2.7ft) | 6:00 AM(1.6ft) | 12:00 PM(3.1ft) | 7:00 PM(1.1ft) |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 1:00 AM(2.9ft) | 7:00 AM(1.6ft) | 1:00 PM(3.1ft) | 8:00 PM(0.8ft) |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 2:00 AM(3.1ft) | 8:00 AM(1.4ft) | 2:00 PM(3.0ft) | 9:00 PM(0.7ft) |
Today
Tomorrow
Sun, Nov 15
Mon, Nov 16
Tue, Nov 17
Wed, Nov 18
Thu, Nov 19
Beach Tide Preferences
Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.
Top spot recommendations
Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.
Featured Beaches
4 spots
Abalone Street
IntermediateAbalone Street is an Atlantic sandbar surf zone at Nags Head in Outer Banks. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
Jennette's Pier
AdvancedJennette's Pier is a pier-influenced surf zone at Nags Head in Outer Banks. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
Jennette's Pier Northside
AdvancedJennette's Pier Northside is a pier-influenced surf zone at Nags Head in Outer Banks. The representative coordinate marks nearshore water, not a fixed takeoff; sandbars, currents, and access conditions can change.
Nags Head Beach
IntermediateNags Head offers a stretch of east‑facing Outer Banks beach with numerous peaks. Sandbars create fun lefts and rights that break best on moderate swells. It's a go‑to spot for intermediate surfers looking for variety and less intimidating surf than Hatteras.
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What to focus on today
- Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
- How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
- Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
- Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in Nags Head
- Tide preferences vary by spot in Nags Head. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.
- Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Nags Head. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.
- You can check tide charts for Nags Head on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.
