88°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
46
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Kitty Hawk Beach
Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
The northern Outer Banks beach where the Wright Brothers first flew — though the actual flight was inland at Kill Devil Hills. Quieter and more residential than Nags Head; 4 miles of unbroken Atlantic sand with a low-key beach-town vibe.
Today's Conditions
Decent day for sunbathing.
Thunderstorms · 77°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 21% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 77°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
44 /100
ok
36 Swim
67 Sunbathe
36 Walk
33 Photo
Best for sunbathing 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
88°F
Cloudy
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
21%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
77°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.0 ft
7s · SE swell
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ150)
The MHX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NCZ203 Northern Outer Banks — Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, n/a
- NCZ205 Hatteras Island — Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, n/a
- NCZ204 Ocracoke Island — Ocracoke n/a
- NCZ196 East Carteret — Cape Lookout National Seashore and n/a
- NCZ195 West Carteret — Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, n/a
- NCZ199 Coastal Onslow — Hammocks Beach and North Topsail Beach n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:47 AM
Sunset
8:23 PM
Moon · 89%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:02 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:22 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 12:32 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:52 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
56%
25
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
46%
34
83°
Mostly Sunny
10%
85
82°
Sunny
0%
85
85°
Sunny
2%
85
87°
Sunny
6%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 77°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).
Beach Info
Parking
Free public beach accesses every few blocks along Beach Rd.
Dogs
Leashed year-round; voice-control off-leash permitted in shoulder hours during summer.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Kitty Hawk Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Kitty Hawk Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Kitty Hawk Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed year-round; voice-control off-leash permitted in shoulder hours during summer.
Is there an entry fee at Kitty Hawk Beach?
Entry to Kitty Hawk Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Kitty Hawk Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Kitty Hawk Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Kitty Hawk Beach?
Amenities at Kitty Hawk Beach include lifeguards at staffed accesses, public restrooms at major accesses, rentals nearby.
When is the water warmest at Kitty Hawk 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 Kitty Hawk Beach located?
Kitty Hawk Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS