88°
Mostly Sunny
2%
85
Brunswick County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Oak Island Beach
4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465
With 65 public beach access points—more than any other coastal community in the Carolinas—Oak Island offers easy beach entry along its full 8-mile length. The town has a fishing pier, a calm family vibe, and unusually generous off-season dog rules.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
81°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
81 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
70 Fish
80 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
5 to 8 mph
SE
Rain
2%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:17 PM
5.3 ft · in 2.5h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:02 AM
Sunset
8:27 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:37 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 10:55 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 5:17 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 11:47 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Sunny
7%
76
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
62%
25
92°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
40%
25
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
38
89°
Sunny
4%
76
90°
Sunny
3%
76
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°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.
Major
8:20 PM - 10:20 PM
Minor
2:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:40 PM - 5:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking April 1 – September 30, 9am–5pm; 2-hour free parking at Oak Island Pier Complex.
Dogs
Leashed (physical leash, no e-collars) required March 16 – October 15. Off-leash allowed October 15 – March 15 from 6am–8pm at marked beach accesses under voice/visual control. $100 first violation, escalating.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking April 1 – Sept 30
Address
4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Oak Island Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Oak Island Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Oak Island Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed (physical leash, no e-collars) required March 16 – October 15. Off-leash allowed October 15 – March 15 from 6am–8pm at marked beach accesses under voice/visual control. $100 first violation, escalating.
Is there an entry fee at Oak Island Beach?
Entry to Oak Island Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Oak Island Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Oak Island Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Oak Island Beach?
Amenities at Oak Island Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, 65 public access ramps, beach wheelchairs (9 available, free, via Parks & Rec).
When is the water warmest at Oak Island 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 Oak Island Beach located?
Oak Island Beach is in Brunswick County, NC, at 4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS