87°
Sunny
3%
71
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water · 87°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 82. Southwest wind 17 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Weather
- 87°F air — ideal beach weather
- 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 85°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- NWS alert active — heat advisory issued july 18 at 2:52pm edt until july 18 at 8:00pm edt by nws wilmington nc
54 /100
ok
39 Swim
62 Sunbathe
78 Walk
50 Fish
73 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.
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties. * WHEN...Today. * IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to shore.
Weather alert in effect
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:52PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Atmosphere
Air Temp
87°F
Sunny
Wind
21 mph
S
Rain
3%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
88°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:38 PM
4.5 ft · in 2.5h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 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
6:10 AM
Sunset
8:21 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:09 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:20 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 5:23 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 11:38 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:57 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:13 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 6:21 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:26 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 6:49 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:04 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 7:27 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:14 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 7:45 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 1:56 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 8:33 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:03 AM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 8:41 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:50 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 9:33 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:55 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 9:31 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 3:48 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:54 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 10:18 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 4:46 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 11:13 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8658163, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
88°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
40%
16
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
62%
14
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
38%
17
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
10
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms
81%
14
84°
Chance Rain Showers
53%
56
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 21 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°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
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Major
4:00 PM - 6:00 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Surf City Beach today?
Surf City 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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