72°
Sunny
0%
73
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.
6.2ft waves · 72°F air · 70°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 20 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind 9 to 18 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 70°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- 6.2ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
55 /100
good
44 Swim
69 Sunbathe
81 Walk
34 Fish
75 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
NE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
70°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:51 PM
1.1 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
6.2 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:50 AM
Sunset
8:13 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:56 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:28 AM | High | 0.7 ft |
| 4:32 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:51 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Sunny
1%
82
78°
Sunny
0%
82
79°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
80°
Mostly Sunny
7%
73
77°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
31
75°
Chance Rain Showers
35%
63
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
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
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Minor
7:50 AM - 8:50 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 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
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