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.

Great day for a beach walk.

68°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 2 to 8 mph.

Weather

  • 71°F air — cool but workable
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 68°F water — swimmable, refreshing
73 /100
great
73 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
71°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
73°F
Sunny
Water Temp
68°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:51 PM
1.1 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
3.0 ft
8s · E 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

NWS SRF · MHX · Issued Jun 3, 3:34 PM

Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:15 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
5:56 AM Low 0.3 ft
10:28 AM High 0.7 ft
4:32 PM Low 0.3 ft
10:51 PM High 1.1 ft
Today Jun 3
71°

Sunny

0%
74
Thu Jun 4
73°

Sunny

1%
82
Fri Jun 5
80°

Sunny

0%
82
Sat Jun 6
83°

Mostly Sunny

4%
82
Sun Jun 7
84°

Mostly Sunny

14%
82
Mon Jun 8
75°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

53%
31
Tue Jun 9
71°

Slight Chance Rain Showers

22%
64
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

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

lifeguards at staffed accessespublic restrooms at major accessesrentals nearby
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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