91°
Sunny
5%
65
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 86°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 108. Southwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:38pm edt until july 19 at 12:00pm edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
51 /100
ok
35 Swim
52 Sunbathe
73 Walk
41 Fish
71 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 1.2 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and rough waters expected. * WHERE...Pamlico Sound. * WHEN...Until noon EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Clear
Wind
21 mph
SW
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
SW swell
Barometer
29.97 inHg
1015 hPa
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
5:59 AM
Sunset
8:15 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:40 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 12:02 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 6:31 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:17 AM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 7:26 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 12:59 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 7:28 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:09 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 8:10 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 1:57 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 8:25 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:06 AM | High | 1.0 ft |
| 8:54 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 2:54 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 9:24 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:06 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 9:38 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 3:50 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 10:25 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 4:45 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 11:27 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:05 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 11:13 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 5:36 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8652587, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
44%
20
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms
76%
17
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
75%
2
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
58%
8
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms
82%
6
82°
Rain Showers Likely
56%
53
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
3:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Minor
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Major
3:50 PM - 5:50 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cape Hatteras National Seashore today?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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