76°
Sunny
0%
82
Carteret County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Beach (NC)
125 W Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
The easternmost town on Bogue Banks and the gateway to Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach is the busiest Crystal Coast beach town, anchored by the Circle area with its boardwalk, paid parking, bathhouses, and one of the few NC beaches with seasonal lifeguards.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
6.2ft waves · 76°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
68 /100
good
52 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
41 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 1.3 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Clear
Wind
16 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:00 PM
3.4 ft · in 1.5h
Wave Height
6.2 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:54 AM
Sunset
8:15 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:38 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:35 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 4:14 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 11:00 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
0%
82
81°
Sunny
0%
82
81°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
83°
Mostly Sunny
7%
82
80°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
31
76°
Chance Rain Showers
35%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Major
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Minor
7:50 AM - 8:50 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking April 1 – September 30. The Circle Regional Beach Access has 300+ paid spaces. Season passes via ab-ncparking.com.
Dogs
Carteret County rule: dogs must be leashed (max 6 feet). Dogs not allowed in lifeguard-protected swim areas during beach season.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking April 1 – Sept 30
Address
125 W Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Atlantic Beach (NC).
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Atlantic Beach (NC) from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Atlantic Beach (NC) dog-friendly?
Carteret County rule: dogs must be leashed (max 6 feet). Dogs not allowed in lifeguard-protected swim areas during beach season.
Is there an entry fee at Atlantic Beach (NC)?
Entry to Atlantic Beach (NC) is free.
Are there lifeguards at Atlantic Beach (NC)?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Atlantic Beach (NC) during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Atlantic Beach (NC)?
Amenities at Atlantic Beach (NC) include lifeguards (seasonal), restrooms, showers, boardwalk, three bathhouses, playground, fishing.
When is the water warmest at Atlantic Beach (NC)?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Atlantic Beach (NC) located?
Atlantic Beach (NC) is in Carteret County, NC, at 125 W Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS