The difference between high and low tide can range from about 3 feet in the Outer Banks to more than 7 feet near Hilton Head; tides along the Carolina coast are not uniform. Use the map below to view current weather and tide times, which update automatically throughout the day.
Outer Banks (Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head)
With a typical swing of three to four feet between high and low, the Outer Banks have the mildest tides on the Carolina coast. This results in broad, gently sloping beaches that are ideal for strolls and driving on the sand in places like Corolla that are suitable for 4×4 vehicles.
Wilmington Area (Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach)
Around Wilmington, just south of the Outer Banks, tides gradually increase, averaging between four and five feet. This area is well-liked for fishing and surfing, and both activities greatly benefit from understanding the tidal schedule.
Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach‘s expansive beaches are shaped by the Grand Strand‘s tidal range, which reaches about five feet. Here, low tide makes more sand available for beach activities, shell hunting, and beachcombing.
Charleston Area (Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island)
The average tidal range on Charleston‘s barrier islands is between 5.5 and 6 feet, which is one of the stronger swings along the Carolina coast. For boaters and paddlers, timing is particularly crucial due to the strong tidal currents surrounding the inlets.
Hilton Head & the Lowcountry
The largest tides on this list, which frequently swing between high and low by 6 to 8 feet, are experienced around Hilton Head and the Lowcountry. Hilton Head’s beaches feel very different from those of the Outer Banks because of this dramatic shift, which reveals enormous swaths of sand during low tide.
Make the most of your beach day by consulting the tide chart in advance, whether you’re planning a low-tide beachcombing session on Hilton Head, a fishing trip in Wilmington, or a daybreak stroll on the Outer Banks.
Conditions that are ideal in Corolla may appear entirely different a few hours south in the Lowcountry due to the steadily increasing tidal ranges along the Carolina coastline. The tide and weather information above is updated automatically, so you’ll always have the most recent information for any Carolina beach you’re planning to visit next. Bookmark this site and return at any time.
For more Carolina vacation area guides and Carolina coastal travel inspiration, keep exploring explorecarolinabeaches.com
