83°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
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
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 10 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 Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
SE
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
81°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
5:18 PM
4.4 ft · in 2.6h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:00 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
84°
Sunny
5%
85
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
34
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
41%
34
83°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
20%
46
83°
Sunny
3%
85
84°
Sunny
4%
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
8:20 PM - 10:20 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 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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Wrightsville Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Wrightsville Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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