91°
Mostly Sunny
5%
65
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 106. South wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 85°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — heat advisory issued july 18 at 1:34am edt until july 18 at 8:00pm edt by nws newport/morehead city nc
49 /100
ok
28 Swim
51 Sunbathe
73 Walk
40 Fish
71 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 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.
Weather alert in effect
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:34AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
21 mph
S
Rain
5%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 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
6:10 AM
Sunset
8:21 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:52 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 5:54 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:09 AM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 6:30 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 12:44 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 6:55 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:54 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 7:19 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:33 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 7:55 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:39 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 8:06 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 2:24 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 8:54 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:26 AM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 8:53 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 3:17 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 9:50 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:19 AM | High | 2.6 ft |
| 9:40 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 4:15 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 10:42 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:18 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 10:27 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 5:10 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 11:32 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
92°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
43%
14
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
68%
13
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
18
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
11
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms
81%
15
84°
Chance Rain Showers
53%
56
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Major
4:00 PM - 6:00 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at North Topsail Beach today?
North Topsail 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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