86°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
New Hanover County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
A working-class North Carolina beach south of Wilmington with a 1950s amusement boardwalk vibe — Britt's Donuts (open since 1939), a fishing pier, and Carolina Beach State Park with its native Venus flytraps. Less polished than Wrightsville, more affordable, more character.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
81°F water · 86°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 7 mph.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
81 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
70 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.8 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
86°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
8 mph
E
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:18 PM
4.4 ft · in 2.6h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:01 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:33 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 10:50 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 5:18 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 11:42 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Sunny
4%
76
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
57%
25
92°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
38
88°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
46
88°
Sunny
4%
85
90°
Sunny
4%
76
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 81°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
8:20 PM - 10:20 PM
Minor
2:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid public lots and metered street parking near the boardwalk.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on the beach April 1 – September 30 only before 9 AM and after 5 PM (leashed). Year-round leash required. Prohibited entirely on the Boardwalk District.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Carolina Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Carolina Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Carolina Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed on the beach April 1 – September 30 only before 9 AM and after 5 PM (leashed). Year-round leash required. Prohibited entirely on the Boardwalk District.
Is there an entry fee at Carolina Beach?
Entry to Carolina Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Carolina Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Carolina Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Carolina Beach?
Amenities at Carolina Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, amusements, restaurants, pier (now restaurant), state park nearby.
When is the water warmest at Carolina Beach?
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 Carolina Beach located?
Carolina Beach is in New Hanover County, NC, at Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS