78°
Sunny
0%
82
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.
NWS alert active · 6.6ft waves · 78°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Weather
- 78°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.6ft 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
53 /100
ok
22 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
11 Fish
80 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
78°F
Clear
Wind
16 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
79°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:00 PM
3.4 ft · in 1.5h
Wave Height
6.6 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:55 AM
Sunset
8:16 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
79°
Sunny
0%
82
81°
Sunny
0%
82
81°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
82°
Mostly Sunny
9%
82
80°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
31
77°
Chance Rain Showers
34%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°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.
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
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