80°
Sunny
0%
82
Onslow County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
North Topsail Beach
2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
The northernmost and least developed of the three Topsail Island towns, North Topsail Beach has a remote, dune-lined feel with miles of relatively quiet beach. Swimming is prohibited near New River Inlet at the north end due to extreme currents.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
6.6ft waves · 80°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Weather
- 80°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
65 /100
good
52 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
48 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
12 mph
NE
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
81°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:00 PM
3.4 ft · in 1.5h
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 (AMZ158)
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
5:57 AM
Sunset
8:18 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:38 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:35 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 4:14 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 11:00 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
81°
Sunny
0%
82
84°
Sunny
0%
82
84°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
85°
Mostly Sunny
9%
82
83°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
53%
31
79°
Chance Rain Showers
35%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 12 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
2:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking year-round 9am–5pm at town lots: $5/hour, $25/day, $100/week, $250/annual via SurfCAST by Otto. Free parking at Onslow County beach accesses #1, #2, and #4.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 25 feet). Owners must remove waste immediately. $100 fine.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking at town lots
Address
2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at North Topsail Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for North Topsail Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is North Topsail Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 25 feet). Owners must remove waste immediately. $100 fine.
Is there an entry fee at North Topsail Beach?
Entry to North Topsail Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at North Topsail Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at North Topsail Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at North Topsail Beach?
Amenities at North Topsail Beach include restrooms, showers, picnic areas, kayak/SUP launch, beach wheelchairs available.
When is the water warmest at North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach located?
North Topsail Beach is in Onslow County, NC, at 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS