83°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
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.
81°F water · 83°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 6 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 83°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
81 /100
great
80 Swim
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
70 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.8 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
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
6 to 9 mph
SE
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:18 PM
4.4 ft · in 2.5h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 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
5:59 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:33 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 10:50 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 5:18 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 11:42 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Sunny
6%
85
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
47%
34
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
34
84°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
17%
53
84°
Sunny
2%
85
85°
Sunny
3%
85
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°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
8:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Minor
2:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Major
8:40 AM - 10:40 AM
Minor
4:30 PM - 5:30 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