79°
Sunny
0%
82
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.
NWS alert active · 6.6ft waves · 79°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind 2 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Weather
- 79°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
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued june 3 at 2:39pm edt until june 4 at 2:00am edt by nws wilmington nc
53 /100
ok
22 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
18 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 1.6 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued June 3 at 2:39PM EDT until June 4 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Seas 4 to 6 ft. * WHERE...Southeast North Carolina coastal waters out 20 NM. * WHEN...Until 2 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
E
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
10:25 PM
5.1 ft · in 52m
Wave Height
6.6 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:02 AM
Sunset
8:19 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:17 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 9:58 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 4:09 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:25 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
81°
Sunny
0%
82
83°
Sunny
0%
82
84°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
83°
Mostly Sunny
8%
82
82°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
31
79°
Chance Rain Showers
36%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light 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
3:00 PM - 5:00 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