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

Great day for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 86°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 106. Southwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 81. Heat index values as high as 103. Southwest wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Weather

90°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
22 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 18 at 2:38pm edt until july 19 at 12:00pm edt by nws newport/morehead city nc

54 /100

40 Swim

55 Sunbathe

74 Walk

46 Fish

71 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 1.2 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 8652587 · Observed 1.63 ft · Predicted 0.41 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:38PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 4:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and rough waters expected. * WHERE...Pamlico Sound. * WHEN...Until noon EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

90°F

Clear

Wind

22 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

Tomorrow

89°F

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Water

Water Temp

86°F

Swimming weather

Wave Height

2.3 ft

SW swell

Barometer

29.97 inHg

1015 hPa

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:02 AM

Sunset

8:17 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
6:40 AM	Low	0.3 ft
12:02 PM	High	1.1 ft
6:31 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:17 AM	High	1.2 ft
7:26 AM	Low	0.3 ft
12:59 PM	High	1.1 ft
7:28 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:09 AM	High	1.1 ft
8:10 AM	Low	0.3 ft
1:57 PM	High	1.1 ft
8:25 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:06 AM	High	1.0 ft
8:54 AM	Low	0.3 ft
2:54 PM	High	1.1 ft
9:24 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:06 AM	High	0.9 ft
9:38 AM	Low	0.3 ft
3:50 PM	High	1.1 ft
10:25 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:08 AM	High	0.9 ft
10:25 AM	Low	0.3 ft
4:45 PM	High	1.1 ft
11:27 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:05 AM	High	0.9 ft
11:13 AM	Low	0.3 ft
5:36 PM	High	1.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8652587, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

90°

Sunny

Sun Jul 19

89°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

48%

Mon Jul 20

87°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

76%

Tue Jul 21

90°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

61%

Wed Jul 22

86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

56%

Thu Jul 23

83°

Showers And Thunderstorms

83%

Fri Jul 24

83°

Rain Showers Likely

59%

What to Bring Today

recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 22 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
critical Extra water / electrolytes 90°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

10:10 PM - 11:10 PM

Major

3:40 AM - 5:40 AM

Minor

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Major

3:50 PM - 5:50 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

lifeguards (one staffed beach)restroomsferry accessvillage restaurants & shopspony pen

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Ocracoke Beach today?

Ocracoke 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. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

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.