76°
Sunny
0%
82
Pender County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Surf City Beach
214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
The central town on Topsail Island, Surf City is the busiest of the three Topsail communities, with a fishing pier, family-friendly restaurants, and a long stretch of wide Atlantic beach. The town spans the Pender/Onslow county line and serves as the main commercial hub for the island.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
6.6ft waves · 76°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Weather
- 76°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
68 /100
good
52 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
48 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 1.3 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
76°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
15 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 06 PM
Tomorrow
78°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
10:27 PM
4.2 ft · in 55m
Wave Height
6.6 ft
ENE swell
Barometer
30.18 inHg
1022 hPa
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ250)
The ILM office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NCZ106 Coastal Pender — Surf City and Topsail Beach n/a
- NCZ108 Coastal New Hanover — Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, n/a
- NCZ110 Coastal Brunswick — Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach, n/a
- SCZ054 Coastal Horry — Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, n/a
- SCZ056 Coastal Georgetown — Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:58 AM
Sunset
8:18 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:04 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 3:52 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:27 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
78°
Sunny
0%
82
79°
Sunny
0%
82
79°
Mostly Sunny
4%
82
83°
Mostly Sunny
8%
82
82°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
31
78°
Chance Rain Showers
36%
72
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph 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
2:50 PM - 4:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking March 1 – October 31, 9am–6pm, at all town-controlled lots and on-street spaces: $5/hour, $25/day, $100/week, $250/season. Pay via Pivot Parking (text SURFB to 25023, app, or QR code).
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 20 feet). Owners must clean up waste; bags provided at accesses.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking required March 1 – October 31
Address
214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Surf City Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Surf City Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Surf City Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 20 feet). Owners must clean up waste; bags provided at accesses.
Is there an entry fee at Surf City Beach?
Entry to Surf City Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Surf City Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Surf City Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Surf City Beach?
Amenities at Surf City Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, public access ramps, restaurants.
When is the water warmest at Surf City 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 Surf City Beach located?
Surf City Beach is in Pender County, NC, at 214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS