Simple Tides / Guides / Nags Head Tides
Nags Head & Outer Banks Tide Chart
Nags Head — the heart of the Outer Banks — fishes a modest three-foot semidiurnal tide through Oregon Inlet, eight miles south, the inlet that opens the Banks’ legendary offshore and surf fisheries.
Upcoming tides in Nags Head
Live NOAA predictions for station 8652587 (Oregon Inlet Marina).
| Day | Time | Tide | Height |
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Heights in feet above MLLW, station local time. See the full interactive tide map.
The pattern
Two highs and two lows daily with about three feet of range at Oregon Inlet Marina. The ocean side and the Pamlico Sound side run different stages — sound anglers should favor an inside station over the inlet reading.
Offshore and surf
Oregon Inlet is the gateway to the Gulf Stream: marlin, tuna, wahoo, and mahi on the charter fleet’s offshore runs. In the surf, red drum and striped bass move with the tides, and the sound gives up trout and puppy drum in the shallows.
A serious inlet
Oregon Inlet shifts and shoals constantly — it commands respect from every boater, especially with wind against tide. Time the crossing with the tide and local knowledge. For the region, see our Mid-Atlantic tide guide.