82°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
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.
82°F water · 82°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
Weather
- 82°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
84 /100
great
83 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking 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
82°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 12 mph
SE
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:08 PM
1.1 ft · in 3.4h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
Rising 0.9 hPa / 3h
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:47 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:06 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 5:32 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 11:49 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:08 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Sunny
12%
85
88°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
34
82°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
36%
46
84°
Mostly Sunny
3%
85
86°
Sunny
2%
85
90°
Sunny
7%
76
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 6 to 12 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°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.
Major
8:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Minor
1:50 AM - 2:50 AM
Major
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 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