76°
Sunny
0%
73
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 6.2ft waves · 76°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind 13 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- 24 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 70°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued june 3 at 2:55pm edt until june 4 at 6:00am edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
38 /100
ok
14 Swim
69 Sunbathe
81 Walk
4 Fish
75 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued June 3 at 2:55PM EDT until June 4 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Northeast winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and seas 4 to 7 ft. * WHERE...The coastal waters from Ocracoke Inlet to Surf City. * WHEN...Until 6 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Clear
Wind
24 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
76°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
70°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
11:00 PM
3.4 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 (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
5:53 AM
Sunset
8:14 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
76°
Sunny
1%
82
80°
Sunny
0%
82
81°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
81°
Mostly Sunny
6%
73
80°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
44
77°
Chance Rain Showers
42%
50
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 24 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
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
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