81°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
16%
85
Carteret County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Cape Lookout National Seashore
131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531
A 56-mile string of undeveloped barrier islands stretching from Ocracoke Inlet to Beaufort Inlet, Cape Lookout is reached only by ferry. It features the iconic black-and-white diamond-pattern lighthouse, the wild Banker horses of Shackleford Banks, and certified International Dark Sky Park status for exceptional stargazing.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
82°F water · 81°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind 8 to 12 mph.
Weather
- 81°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
78 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
70 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
81°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
E
Rain
16%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:42 PM
3.4 ft · in 2.9h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
Rising 0.9 hPa / 3h
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ156)
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
5:54 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:57 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 11:02 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 5:42 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Sunny
5%
76
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
24
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
47%
34
84°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
15%
53
85°
Sunny
4%
85
86°
Sunny
5%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light 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
2:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free parking at the Harkers Island Visitor Center and at private ferry operator lots on the mainland. No parking on the barrier islands.
Dogs
Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash at all times, including on Shackleford Banks. Not permitted in buildings (rustic cabins excepted). Some ferry operators may refuse pets.
Entry Fee
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry fees vary by operator. America the Beautiful passes not accepted.
Address
131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Cape Lookout National Seashore from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Cape Lookout National Seashore dog-friendly?
Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash at all times, including on Shackleford Banks. Not permitted in buildings (rustic cabins excepted). Some ferry operators may refuse pets.
Is there an entry fee at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry fees vary by operator. America the Beautiful passes not accepted.
Are there lifeguards at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
No lifeguards are stationed at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
Amenities at Cape Lookout National Seashore include visitor center, lighthouse (seasonal climbing), rustic cabins (rental), beach camping, historic villages, wildlife viewing.
When is the water warmest at Cape Lookout 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 Lookout National Seashore located?
Cape Lookout National Seashore is in Carteret County, NC, at 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS