80°
Sunny
10%
85
Carteret County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Emerald Isle Beach
7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Occupying the western 12 miles of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle is a family-focused beach town with broad public accesses featuring picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, kayak launches, and playgrounds. The town runs a free trolley on holiday weekends.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
81°F water · 80°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 80°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
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 0.6 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
80°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
SE
Rain
10%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:42 PM
3.4 ft · in 2.9h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:56 AM
Sunset
8:24 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
82°
Sunny
11%
85
83°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
24
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
34
85°
Mostly Sunny
13%
85
84°
Sunny
3%
85
87°
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 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
8:10 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
Paid parking April 1 – September 30, 8am–6pm at Eastern and Western Ocean Regional Accesses: $5/hour, max $25/day. Pay via Passport Parking app or kiosk.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (max 16-ft leash), including in the surf zone. $50 civil fine for violations.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking April 1 – Sept 30
Address
7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Emerald Isle Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Emerald Isle Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Emerald Isle Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (max 16-ft leash), including in the surf zone. $50 civil fine for violations.
Is there an entry fee at Emerald Isle Beach?
Entry to Emerald Isle Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Emerald Isle Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Emerald Isle Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Emerald Isle Beach?
Amenities at Emerald Isle Beach include restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, kayak launches, volleyball courts, playgrounds, holiday trolley.
When is the water warmest at Emerald Isle 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 Emerald Isle Beach located?
Emerald Isle Beach is in Carteret County, NC, at 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS