68°
Sunny
0%
68
Carteret County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Emerald Isle Beach
7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Occupying the western 12 miles of Bogue Banks, Emerald Isle is a family-focused beach town with broad public accesses featuring picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, kayak launches, and playgrounds. The town runs a free trolley on holiday weekends.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 6 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 68°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
68 /100
good
61 Swim
72 Sunbathe
81 Walk
72 Fish
79 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
9 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
19 Good
Ozone · Carteret County
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
65°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Wave Height
4.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41013
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:34 AM
Sunset
5:09 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:02 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 12:22 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:15 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:45 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 1:09 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:57 PM | High | 3.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:26 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 1:51 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:38 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:38 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:06 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 2:30 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:19 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:14 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:47 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 3:08 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:01 PM | High | 2.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:50 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:29 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 3:47 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:44 PM | High | 2.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:27 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:13 AM | High | 3.6 ft |
| 4:29 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 10:29 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
65°
Sunny
0%
70
69°
Sunny
0%
73
70°
Sunny
0%
75
70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
77
69°
Mostly Sunny
7%
72
61°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
16%
55
What to Bring Today
Nothing unusual - conditions are unremarkable today.
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
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Minor
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking April 1 – September 30, 8am–6pm at Eastern and Western Ocean Regional Accesses: $5/hour, max $25/day. Pay via Passport Parking app or kiosk.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (max 16-ft leash), including in the surf zone. $50 civil fine for violations.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking April 1 – Sept 30
Address
7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Emerald Isle Beach today?
Emerald Isle 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. 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 Emerald Isle Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (max 16-ft leash), including in the surf zone. $50 civil fine for violations.
Is there an entry fee at Emerald Isle Beach?
Entry to Emerald Isle Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Emerald Isle Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Emerald Isle Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Emerald Isle Beach?
Amenities at Emerald Isle Beach include restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, kayak launches, volleyball courts, playgrounds, holiday trolley.
When is the water warmest at Emerald Isle 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 Emerald Isle Beach located?
Emerald Isle Beach is in Carteret County, NC, at 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS