85°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
54%
25
Carteret County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Cape Lookout National Seashore
131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531
A 56-mile string of undeveloped barrier islands stretching from Ocracoke Inlet to Beaufort Inlet, Cape Lookout is reached only by ferry. It features the iconic black-and-white diamond-pattern lighthouse, the wild Banker horses of Shackleford Banks, and certified International Dark Sky Park status for exceptional stargazing.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 54% rain · 84°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- 54% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
26 /100
skip
14 Swim
41 Sunbathe
9 Walk
35 Fish
26 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
5 to 13 mph
NW
Rain
54%
Today
UV Peak
6 High
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:00 PM
4.1 ft · in 3.7h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
6s · SSW swell
Barometer
30.05 inHg
1018 hPa
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ156)
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
6:02 AM
Sunset
8:20 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:32 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:15 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 12:13 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:00 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:32 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:14 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 1:14 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:56 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:28 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:12 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 2:14 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 8:49 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:19 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 9:08 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 3:09 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 9:41 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:07 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:03 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 4:03 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:32 PM | High | 3.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:54 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:58 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 4:57 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:21 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:52 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 5:54 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms
84%
12
85°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
73%
16
87°
Sunny
11%
82
88°
Sunny
5%
80
88°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
17%
44
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
36
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 5 to 13 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 84°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 54% rain chance
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
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Minor
3:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
6:50 PM - 7:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free parking at the Harkers Island Visitor Center and at private ferry operator lots on the mainland. No parking on the barrier islands.
Dogs
Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash at all times, including on Shackleford Banks. Not permitted in buildings (rustic cabins excepted). Some ferry operators may refuse pets.
Entry Fee
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry fees vary by operator. America the Beautiful passes not accepted.
Address
131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cape Lookout National Seashore today?
Cape Lookout 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. 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 Cape Lookout National Seashore dog-friendly?
Pets allowed on a 6-foot leash at all times, including on Shackleford Banks. Not permitted in buildings (rustic cabins excepted). Some ferry operators may refuse pets.
Is there an entry fee at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
No NPS entrance fee. Ferry fees vary by operator. America the Beautiful passes not accepted.
Are there lifeguards at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
No lifeguards are stationed at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Cape Lookout National Seashore?
Amenities at Cape Lookout National Seashore include visitor center, lighthouse (seasonal climbing), rustic cabins (rental), beach camping, historic villages, wildlife viewing.
When is the water warmest at Cape Lookout 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 Lookout National Seashore located?
Cape Lookout National Seashore is in Carteret County, NC, at 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, NC 28531.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS