75°
Sunny
0%
82
New Hanover County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Kure Beach
Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Quietest of the Pleasure Island beaches just south of Carolina Beach. The 711-foot Kure Beach Pier is the oldest on the Atlantic coast. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the Civil War earthworks are within 5 minutes.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 6.6ft waves · 75°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Weather
- 75°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.6ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued june 3 at 2:39pm edt until june 4 at 2:00am edt by nws wilmington nc
49 /100
ok
22 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
18 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 1.3 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 June 3 at 2:39PM EDT until June 4 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Seas 4 to 6 ft. * WHERE...Southeast North Carolina coastal waters out 20 NM. * WHEN...Until 2 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
75°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
E
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
76°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
10:27 PM
4.2 ft · in 1.0h
Wave Height
6.6 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ250)
The ILM 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.
- NCZ106 Coastal Pender — Surf City and Topsail Beach n/a
- NCZ108 Coastal New Hanover — Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, n/a
- NCZ110 Coastal Brunswick — Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach, n/a
- SCZ054 Coastal Horry — Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, n/a
- SCZ056 Coastal Georgetown — Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:01 AM
Sunset
8:18 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:04 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 3:52 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:27 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
76°
Sunny
0%
82
78°
Sunny
0%
82
78°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
79°
Mostly Sunny
8%
82
79°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
49%
31
75°
Chance Rain Showers
37%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
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
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Minor
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Major
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free public lots at major accesses. Metered street parking near the pier.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach 9 AM – 5 PM, April 1 – September 30. Leashed (max 15 ft) at other times.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Kure Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Kure Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Kure Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach 9 AM – 5 PM, April 1 – September 30. Leashed (max 15 ft) at other times.
Is there an entry fee at Kure Beach?
Entry to Kure Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Kure Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Kure Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Kure Beach?
Amenities at Kure Beach include lifeguards, fishing pier, restrooms, aquarium nearby, historical site nearby.
When is the water warmest at Kure 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 Kure Beach located?
Kure Beach is in New Hanover County, NC, at Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS