64°
Sunny
0%
56
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
70 miles of barrier-island beach from south of Nags Head to Ocracoke — the first national seashore (authorized 1937, established 1953). Wild, undeveloped sections between the villages, the iconic black-and-white-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (currently closed for restoration through 2026), world-class surfing, and surf fishing for red drum and striped bass.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
64°F air · 74°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Weather
- 64°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 74°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- 5.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
56 /100
good
42 Swim
47 Sunbathe
70 Walk
57 Fish
68 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
64°F
Clear
Wind
15 to 20 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
2 Low
Peaks 10 AM · burn in ~100m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 11 AM
Tomorrow
63°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
74°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:47 PM
1.1 ft · in 14m
Wave Height
5.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.91 inHg
1013 hPa · buoy 41025
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ152)
The MHX 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.
- NCZ203 Northern Outer Banks — Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, n/a
- NCZ205 Hatteras Island — Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, n/a
- NCZ204 Ocracoke Island — Ocracoke n/a
- NCZ196 East Carteret — Cape Lookout National Seashore and n/a
- NCZ195 West Carteret — Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, n/a
- NCZ199 Coastal Onslow — Hammocks Beach and North Topsail Beach n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:29 AM
Sunset
5:01 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:24 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:16 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 1:15 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:47 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:55 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 2:01 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:31 PM | High | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:43 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:34 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 2:43 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:12 PM | High | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:20 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 3:23 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:52 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:57 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:46 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 4:02 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:28 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:34 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:22 AM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 4:41 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:01 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:12 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:58 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 5:19 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8652587, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
63°
Sunny
0%
65
64°
Sunny
0%
64
67°
Sunny
0%
70
66°
Mostly Sunny
1%
72
66°
Mostly Sunny
13%
65
60°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
44
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 15 to 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 74°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
9:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Minor
4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Major
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Minor
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
NPS lots at major accesses (Coquina Beach, Cape Point, Frisco). 4WD ORV permit required for ORV-zoned beaches.
Dogs
Leashed at all times; prohibited on protected piping plover beach during nesting season (April – August).
Entry Fee
No general entry fee. Lighthouse climb: $10/adult. ORV permit: $50/10-day, $120/annual.
Address
46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cape Hatteras National Seashore today?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore 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 Cape Hatteras National Seashore dog-friendly?
Leashed at all times; prohibited on protected piping plover beach during nesting season (April – August).
Is there an entry fee at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
No general entry fee. Lighthouse climb: $10/adult. ORV permit: $50/10-day, $120/annual.
Are there lifeguards at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cape Hatteras National Seashore during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
Amenities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restrooms, lighthouse climb, visitor centers, ORV access (permit).
When is the water warmest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
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 Cape Hatteras National Seashore located?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is in Dare County, NC, at 46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS