94°
Mostly Sunny
5%
66
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Kill Devil Hills Beach
Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head — site of the actual Wright Brothers National Memorial. Five miles of Atlantic beach, busy commercial strip on US-158 behind it. Surfable swells; consistently one of the more affordable OBX bases.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
81°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 107. South wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Weather
- 94°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
63 /100
good
65 Swim
52 Sunbathe
73 Walk
71 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
94°F
Partly Cloudy and Windy
Wind
17 mph
S
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
93°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
13s · ESE swell
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
93°
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
62%
11
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
78%
17
91°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
65%
9
88°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
70%
6
84°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
69%
17
84°
Chance Rain Showers
44%
60
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 17 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 94°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free public lots at numbered accesses along Beach Rd.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are only permitted on the beach before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Kill Devil Hills Beach today?
Kill Devil Hills 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 Kill Devil Hills Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are only permitted on the beach before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Is there an entry fee at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Entry to Kill Devil Hills Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Kill Devil Hills Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Amenities at Kill Devil Hills Beach include lifeguards, public restrooms at major accesses, restaurants nearby, shops nearby.
When is the water warmest at Kill Devil Hills 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 Kill Devil Hills Beach located?
Kill Devil Hills Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS