80°
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
16%
85
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
70 miles of barrier-island beach from south of Nags Head to Ocracoke — the first national seashore (authorized 1937, established 1953). Wild, undeveloped sections between the villages, the iconic black-and-white-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (currently closed for restoration through 2026), world-class surfing, and surf fishing for red drum and striped bass.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
82°F water · 80°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
Weather
- 80°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
80 /100
great
83 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 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
80°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
7 to 12 mph
E
Rain
16%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:08 PM
1.1 ft · in 3.4h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
Rising 0.9 hPa / 3h
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ152)
The MHX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NCZ203 Northern Outer Banks — Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, n/a
- NCZ205 Hatteras Island — Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, n/a
- NCZ204 Ocracoke Island — Ocracoke n/a
- NCZ196 East Carteret — Cape Lookout National Seashore and n/a
- NCZ195 West Carteret — Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, n/a
- NCZ199 Coastal Onslow — Hammocks Beach and North Topsail Beach n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:48 AM
Sunset
8:20 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:06 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 5:32 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 11:49 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:08 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Sunny
2%
76
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
24
82°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
34
82°
Mostly Sunny
9%
85
84°
Sunny
3%
85
86°
Sunny
5%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 7 to 12 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°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.
Major
8:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Minor
1:50 AM - 2:50 AM
Major
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
NPS lots at major accesses (Coquina Beach, Cape Point, Frisco). 4WD ORV permit required for ORV-zoned beaches.
Dogs
Leashed at all times; prohibited on protected piping plover beach during nesting season (April – August).
Entry Fee
No general entry fee. Lighthouse climb: $10/adult. ORV permit: $50/10-day, $120/annual.
Address
46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Cape Hatteras National Seashore from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Cape Hatteras National Seashore dog-friendly?
Leashed at all times; prohibited on protected piping plover beach during nesting season (April – August).
Is there an entry fee at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
No general entry fee. Lighthouse climb: $10/adult. ORV permit: $50/10-day, $120/annual.
Are there lifeguards at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cape Hatteras National Seashore during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Amenities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restrooms, lighthouse climb, visitor centers, ORV access (permit).
When is the water warmest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
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 Cape Hatteras National Seashore located?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is in Dare County, NC, at 46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS