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.

Ideal for a beach walk.

81°F water · 87°F air

Full NWS forecast for Today

Sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Weather

  • 87°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

  • UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
78 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
70 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.

NOAA station 8656483 · Observed 0.75 ft · Predicted 0.10 ft

Air Temp
87°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
SE
Rain
3%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Sunny
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:42 PM
3.4 ft · in 2.9h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 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

NWS SRF · MHX · Issued Jun 25, 2:31 PM

Sunrise
5:58 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
4:57 AM High 2.5 ft
11:02 AM Low 0.1 ft
5:42 PM High 3.4 ft
Today Jun 25
87°

Sunny

3%
85
Fri Jun 26
89°

Sunny

12%
76
Sat Jun 27
91°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

43%
16
Sun Jun 28
91°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

54%
25
Mon Jun 29
90°

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

17%
44
Tue Jun 30
89°

Sunny

2%
76
Wed Jul 1
91°

Sunny

3%
76
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Major
8:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Minor
2:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

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

restroomsshowerspicnic areaskayak/SUP launchbeach wheelchairs available
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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