70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
68
New Hanover County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
A working-class North Carolina beach south of Wilmington with a 1950s amusement boardwalk vibe — Britt's Donuts (open since 1939), a fishing pier, and Carolina Beach State Park with its native Venus flytraps. Less polished than Wrightsville, more affordable, more character.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind around 9 mph.
Weather
- 70°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
68 /100
good
58 Swim
75 Sunbathe
82 Walk
72 Fish
78 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
70°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
10 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
66 Moderate
PM2.5 (fine particles) · New Hanover County
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
65°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Next Low Tide
11:58 PM
0.1 ft · in 5.4h
Wave Height
4.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41013
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:36 AM
Sunset
5:13 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:31 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:52 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 5:45 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 11:58 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:14 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 12:39 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:27 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:40 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:55 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 1:23 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:07 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:19 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:37 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 2:03 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:49 PM | High | 3.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:56 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:19 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 2:42 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:32 PM | High | 3.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:31 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:03 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 3:19 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 9:17 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:05 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 9:47 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 3:57 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 10:04 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8658163, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
65°
Sunny
0%
70
70°
Sunny
0%
77
71°
Sunny
0%
78
70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
77
69°
Mostly Sunny
8%
72
62°
Mostly Sunny
14%
59
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
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
9:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:40 AM - 11:40 AM
Minor
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid public lots and metered street parking near the boardwalk.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on the beach April 1 – September 30 only before 9 AM and after 5 PM (leashed). Year-round leash required. Prohibited entirely on the Boardwalk District.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Carolina Beach today?
Carolina 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 Carolina Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed on the beach April 1 – September 30 only before 9 AM and after 5 PM (leashed). Year-round leash required. Prohibited entirely on the Boardwalk District.
Is there an entry fee at Carolina Beach?
Entry to Carolina Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Carolina Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Carolina Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Carolina Beach?
Amenities at Carolina Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, amusements, restaurants, pier (now restaurant), state park nearby.
When is the water warmest at Carolina 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 Carolina Beach located?
Carolina Beach is in New Hanover County, NC, at Carolina Beach Ave N, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS