94°
Mostly Sunny
5%
64
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 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 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Heat index values as high as 103. Southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Weather
- 94°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 81°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 2:38pm edt until july 19 at 8:00am edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
47 /100
ok
34 Swim
49 Sunbathe
72 Walk
70 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...The coastal waters from Duck to Oregon Inlet. * WHEN...Until 8 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
94°F
Partly Cloudy and Windy
Wind
18 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
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
5:59 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
63%
6
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
76%
17
92°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
68%
3
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
71%
6
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
67%
16
83°
Chance Rain Showers
43%
61
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 18 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 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Kitty Hawk Beach today?
Kitty Hawk 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 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