88°
Mostly Sunny
5%
68
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 103. Southwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 82. Southwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 22 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 85°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 20 at 6:00am edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
48 /100
ok
31 Swim
56 Sunbathe
76 Walk
42 Fish
72 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 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 July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 20 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 7 ft expected. * WHERE...The coastal waters from Ocracoke Inlet to Surf City. * WHEN...Until 6 AM EDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Clear and Windy
Wind
22 mph
SW
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:08 AM
Sunset
8:20 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:52 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 5:54 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:09 AM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 6:30 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 12:44 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 6:55 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:54 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 7:19 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:33 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 7:55 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:39 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 8:06 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 2:24 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 8:54 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:26 AM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 8:53 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 3:17 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 9:50 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:19 AM | High | 2.6 ft |
| 9:40 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 4:15 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 10:42 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:18 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 10:27 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 5:10 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 11:32 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
41%
21
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72%
15
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
49%
15
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
58%
9
81°
Showers And Thunderstorms
83%
14
83°
Chance Rain Showers
53%
55
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 22 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Major
4:00 PM - 6:00 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Emerald Isle Beach today?
Emerald Isle 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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