72°
Sunny
0%
82
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Nags Head Beach
S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959
The heart of the Outer Banks — 11 miles of wide Atlantic sand fronted by Beach Road. Soundside one block back, Jockey's Ridge State Park (the largest natural sand dunes on the East Coast) is two miles inland. Endless beach-cottage rentals, fishing piers every couple of miles, classic OBX vacation in concentrated form.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 6.2ft waves · 72°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 70°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
- NWS alert active — beach hazards statement issued june 3 at 11:23am edt until june 3 at 8:00pm edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
53 /100
ok
22 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
18 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 11:23AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...Northern Outer Banks beaches. * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning through this evening. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide, which will occur around 4:00 PM Wednesday.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°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
74°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
70°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:51 PM
1.1 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
6.2 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:14 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
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 |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Sunny
1%
82
80°
Sunny
0%
82
82°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
84°
Mostly Sunny
12%
82
77°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
31
73°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
24%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
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
10:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Major
2:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Minor
7:40 AM - 8:40 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free public lots and ocean-side accesses every few blocks along NC-12. Some lots fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round on a leash (max 10 ft). No off-leash voice-control window; owners must clean up.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Nags Head Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Nags Head Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Nags Head Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round on a leash (max 10 ft). No off-leash voice-control window; owners must clean up.
Is there an entry fee at Nags Head Beach?
Entry to Nags Head Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Nags Head Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Nags Head Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Nags Head Beach?
Amenities at Nags Head Beach include lifeguards, public restrooms at major accesses, fishing piers, rentals nearby.
When is the water warmest at Nags Head 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 Nags Head Beach located?
Nags Head Beach is in Dare County, NC, at S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS