Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean

Duck Beach

The upscale North Beaches village — boutique shops, a soundside boardwalk, and large rental homes set behind dunes. Beach access is via wooden walkways through the dunes; the village is walkable from most rentals. No commercial high-rises, no piers.

Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · 57% rain · 80°F water

Full NWS forecast for Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 77. East wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Weather

81°F air — ideal beach weather
57% rain — rain likely at some point

Water

80°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach

24 /100

skip

21 Swim

38 Sunbathe

7 Walk

26 Photo

Best for sunbathing today

Water level 0.7 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.

NOAA station 8652587 · Observed 0.88 ft · Predicted 0.22 ft

Get Directions View on Google Maps Open in Apple Maps

Atmosphere

Air Temp

81°F

Cloudy

Wind

8 to 14 mph

Rain

57%

Today

UV Peak

8 Very High

High 12 PM–01 PM · burn in ~25m

Burn-free before 11 AM & after 04 PM

Tomorrow

81°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Water

Water Temp

80°F

Swimming weather

Next High Tide

7:13 PM

1.4 ft · in 4.0h

Wave Height

1.6 ft

11s · ESE swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ633)

The AKQ 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.

MDZ025 Maryland Beaches — Ocean City Beaches and Assateague n/a
VAZ099 Accomack-Northampton — Chincoteague, Wallops Island, n/a
VAZ098 Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach and Sandbridge n/a
NCZ102 Outer Banks Currituck — Currituck County Beaches n/a

NWS SRF · AKQ · Issued Jul 12, 2:44 PM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:55 AM

Sunset

8:21 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
1:14 AM	Low	0.4 ft
6:20 AM	High	1.0 ft
12:34 PM	Low	0.1 ft
7:13 PM	High	1.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:19 AM	Low	0.3 ft
7:21 AM	High	1.0 ft
1:35 PM	Low	0.1 ft
8:05 PM	High	1.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:17 AM	Low	0.3 ft
8:19 AM	High	1.0 ft
2:35 PM	Low	0.1 ft
8:56 PM	High	1.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:12 AM	Low	0.3 ft
9:15 AM	High	1.0 ft
3:35 PM	Low	0.2 ft
9:46 PM	High	1.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:03 AM	Low	0.2 ft
10:10 AM	High	1.1 ft
4:35 PM	Low	0.2 ft
10:36 PM	High	1.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:53 AM	Low	0.2 ft
11:06 AM	High	1.1 ft
5:34 PM	Low	0.3 ft
11:26 PM	High	1.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:40 AM	Low	0.3 ft
12:02 PM	High	1.1 ft
6:31 PM	Low	0.3 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8652587, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 12

81°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

57%

Mon Jul 13

81°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

59%

Tue Jul 14

82°

Chance Rain Showers

44%

Wed Jul 15

85°

Sunny

Thu Jul 16

88°

Sunny

Fri Jul 17

87°

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

19%

Sat Jul 18

88°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

26%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 8 to 14 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 57% rain chance

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Resident-only at most ocean accesses. Visitors typically reach the beach via their rental property.

Dogs

Dogs may be off-leash on the beach year-round under owner voice control. Elsewhere in town (boardwalk, Duck Trail, parks), leash max 10 ft is required.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Duck Rd (NC-12), Duck, NC 27949

Amenities

lifeguards at staffed accessesrestaurants nearbysoundside boardwalkshops

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Duck Beach today?

Duck 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 Duck Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs may be off-leash on the beach year-round under owner voice control. Elsewhere in town (boardwalk, Duck Trail, parks), leash max 10 ft is required.

Is there an entry fee at Duck Beach?

Entry to Duck Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Duck Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Duck Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Duck Beach?

Amenities at Duck Beach include lifeguards at staffed accesses, restaurants nearby, soundside boardwalk, shops.

When is the water warmest at Duck 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 Duck Beach located?

Duck Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Duck Rd (NC-12), Duck, NC 27949.