86°
Sunny
3%
71
New Hanover County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Wrightsville Beach
321 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
A 4-mile barrier-island beach 15 minutes east of Wilmington — one of the cleanest beaches in the Southeast (consistently rated A+ by NRDC). Restaurants and rentals on the south end, quieter residential on the north end. The dawn surfing scene is real.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water · 86°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 86. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 83. Southwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Weather
- 86°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
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — heat advisory issued july 18 at 2:52pm edt until july 18 at 8:00pm edt by nws wilmington nc
50 /100
ok
33 Swim
60 Sunbathe
78 Walk
44 Fish
74 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
86°F
Clear
Wind
21 mph
S
Rain
3%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
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 2.6h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:12 AM
Sunset
8:22 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
26%
25
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
49%
21
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
35%
20
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
11
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms
79%
14
82°
Rain Showers Likely
55%
54
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- 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 public lots at major accesses; metered street parking on Lumina Ave. App-based payment.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited entirely on the beach April 1 – September 30 (24 hours). Leashed access October 1 – March 31.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
321 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Wrightsville Beach today?
Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited entirely on the beach April 1 – September 30 (24 hours). Leashed access October 1 – March 31.
Is there an entry fee at Wrightsville Beach?
Entry to Wrightsville Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Wrightsville Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Wrightsville Beach?
Amenities at Wrightsville Beach include lifeguards, public restrooms, showers, restaurants nearby, piers (Crystal Pier and Johnnie Mercer's).
When is the water warmest at Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville Beach located?
Wrightsville Beach is in New Hanover County, NC, at 321 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS