Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean

Duck Beach

The upscale North Beaches village — boutique shops, a soundside boardwalk, and large rental homes set behind dunes. Beach access is via wooden walkways through the dunes; the village is walkable from most rentals. No commercial high-rises, no piers.

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 81°F water · 87°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 80. Southwest wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

87°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
NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:38pm edt until july 19 at 8:00am edt by nws newport/morehead city nc

60 /100

good

46 Swim

69 Sunbathe

81 Walk

77 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.

NOAA station 8652587 · Observed 1.63 ft · Predicted 0.41 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 12:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...The coastal waters from Duck to Oregon Inlet. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

87°F

Partly Cloudy and Windy

Wind

16 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

88°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Water

Water Temp

81°F

Swimming weather

Wave Height

2.3 ft

13s · ESE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ633)

The AKQ 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.

MDZ025 Maryland Beaches — Ocean City Beaches and Assateague n/a
VAZ099 Accomack-Northampton — Chincoteague, Wallops Island, n/a
VAZ098 Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach and Sandbridge n/a
NCZ102 Outer Banks Currituck — Currituck County Beaches n/a

NWS SRF · AKQ · Issued Jul 18, 8:11 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:59 AM

Sunset

8:18 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

Today Jul 18

87°

Mostly Sunny

Sun Jul 19

88°

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

74%

Mon Jul 20

83°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

65%

Tue Jul 21

88°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

56%

Wed Jul 22

86°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

72%

Thu Jul 23

81°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

65%

Fri Jul 24

81°

Chance Rain Showers

41%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Resident-only at most ocean accesses. Visitors typically reach the beach via their rental property.

Dogs

Dogs may be off-leash on the beach year-round under owner voice control. Elsewhere in town (boardwalk, Duck Trail, parks), leash max 10 ft is required.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Duck Rd (NC-12), Duck, NC 27949

Amenities

lifeguards at staffed accessesrestaurants nearbysoundside boardwalkshops

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Duck Beach today?

Duck Beach 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 Duck Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs may be off-leash on the beach year-round under owner voice control. Elsewhere in town (boardwalk, Duck Trail, parks), leash max 10 ft is required.

Is there an entry fee at Duck Beach?

Entry to Duck Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Duck Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Duck Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Duck Beach?

Amenities at Duck Beach include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restaurants nearby, soundside boardwalk, shops.

When is the water warmest at Duck 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 Duck Beach located?

Duck Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Duck Rd (NC-12), Duck, NC 27949.