The Outer Banks is a set of barrier islands, meant to move with the ocean tides but held in place through human development. Regardless of our attempts to sway mother nature, we are still subject to the tides which can influence everything from access to the 4x4 area in Corolla, the creation (and destruction) of additional islands, and how much beach we have to play on throughout the day. Bookmark this page so you can easily find the tide tables and the weather predictions for your Outer Banks vacation!
Tide Tables for Kitty Hawk & Cape Hatteras
Tides Shape the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is very susceptible to the changing tides, so depending on where you're headed during your stay, it's important keep an eye on the high and low tide times (don't worry - there's an easy link for that below or you can use the tables above). Here are some of the things that the tides regularly influence on the Outer Banks and things you should keep in mind.
- The tides can create sandbars that potentially become full-fledged islands - but they can just as quickly disappear.
- Surfing success depends on the timing of low and high tide, with high tide being the best time to catch a wave.
- Be on the lookout for rip currents during low tide.
- If you're driving on the beach, be aware of the tides to keep both you and your vehicle safe.
- Check out the tides before visiting Carova as some areas become inaccessible during high tide.
- Same goes for parking your car on Hatteras Island - make sure your car's location won't coincide with high tide.
- Beachcombing is best at low tide, when there's lots of shells and sea glass to find once the water is back out to sea.
What are tides?
Tides are wave motion that moves throughout the ocean in response to the gravitational force exerted by the sun and the moon. As these waves move towards the coastline, they result in the predictable rise and fall of the ocean's surface. The rising of water at its highest point on the shoreline is high tide while the lowest point as the water retracts is low tide.
Are the tides the same every day?
No. In most places, there are two high tides each day and these times change every day because of the moon's changing relative location to the earth.
