70°
Sunny
0%
74
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.
6.2ft waves · 70°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 17 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Weather
- 70°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 70°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
55 /100
good
44 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
34 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
70°F
Clear
Wind
17 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
72°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
70°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:51 PM
1.1 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
6.2 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 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
5:47 AM
Sunset
8:12 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:56 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:28 AM | High | 0.7 ft |
| 4:32 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:51 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
72°
Sunny
2%
82
77°
Sunny
0%
82
79°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
80°
Mostly Sunny
7%
82
76°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
55%
31
73°
Chance Rain Showers
33%
63
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
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
2:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Minor
7:50 AM - 8:50 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 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
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