90°
Sunny
3%
74
Brunswick County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Holden Beach
110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462
A primarily residential barrier-island town with over eight miles of clean, gently sloping beach, Holden Beach is a family-oriented community with minimal commercial development and a strong sea turtle nesting program from May through October.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 104. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 82. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Weather
- 90°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
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 2:32pm edt until july 19 at 11:00pm edt by nws wilmington nc
56 /100
good
36 Swim
64 Sunbathe
79 Walk
46 Fish
76 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 2:32PM EDT until July 19 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 4 to 6 ft expected. * WHERE...Southeast North Carolina coastal waters out 20 NM. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 11 PM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
90°F
Clear
Wind
16 mph
S
Rain
3%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:45 PM
5.3 ft · in 2.6h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:14 AM
Sunset
8:23 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:07 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:30 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:38 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 6:52 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 1:24 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 7:22 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:14 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:19 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 8:29 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 3:04 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 9:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:09 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 9:23 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 3:53 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:01 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 10:17 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 4:44 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:16 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
91°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
33
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
33%
31
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
25
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
54%
15
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
78%
16
86°
Rain Showers Likely
56%
54
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 85°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 90°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
3:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Minor
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Major
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking 9am–5pm daily via SurfCAST by Otto: $5/hour (up to 4 hrs), $20/day, $80/week, $175/annual. Free outside enforcement hours. ADA spaces free with placard.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach May 20 – September 10 between 9am and 5pm. Otherwise allowed but must be leashed at all times. Service dogs exempt.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking required 9am–5pm
Address
110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Holden Beach today?
Holden 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 Holden Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach May 20 – September 10 between 9am and 5pm. Otherwise allowed but must be leashed at all times. Service dogs exempt.
Is there an entry fee at Holden Beach?
Entry to Holden Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Holden Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Holden Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Holden Beach?
Amenities at Holden Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, public access ramps, kayak launches.
When is the water warmest at Holden 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 Holden Beach located?
Holden Beach is in Brunswick County, NC, at 110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS