84°
Sunny
2%
85
Hyde County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Ocracoke Beach
Sixteen miles of pristine, undeveloped barrier-island beach on Ocracoke Island — accessible only by ferry. The village at the south end is one of the most charming on the East Coast. Pony pen with the descendants of the Banker ponies. National Geographic and Dr. Beach have repeatedly named this a top US beach.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
83°F water · 84°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 83°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
76 /100
great
84 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
63 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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Clear
Wind
17 mph
S
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
83°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.0 ft
SSE swell
Barometer
30.13 inHg
1020 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:51 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 89%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:02 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:22 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 12:32 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:52 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
38
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
34
82°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
22%
46
83°
Sunny
3%
85
84°
Sunny
2%
85
85°
Sunny
5%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 17 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 83°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.
Major
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Minor
2:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
NPS lots at the lifeguarded beach. ORV access elsewhere with permit.
Dogs
Leashed at all times. Prohibited on protected sections during plover nesting.
Entry Fee
No beach entry fee. Free Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry; Cedar Island & Swan Quarter ferries $15-30/vehicle.
Address
NC-12, Ocracoke, NC 27960
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Ocracoke Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Ocracoke Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Ocracoke Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed at all times. Prohibited on protected sections during plover nesting.
Is there an entry fee at Ocracoke Beach?
No beach entry fee. Free Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry; Cedar Island & Swan Quarter ferries $15-30/vehicle.
Are there lifeguards at Ocracoke Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Ocracoke Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Ocracoke Beach?
Amenities at Ocracoke Beach include lifeguards (one staffed beach), restrooms, ferry access, village restaurants & shops, pony pen.
When is the water warmest at Ocracoke 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 Ocracoke Beach located?
Ocracoke Beach is in Hyde County, NC, at NC-12, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS