86°
Sunny
0%
79
Brunswick County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Holden Beach
110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462
A primarily residential barrier-island town with over eight miles of clean, gently sloping beach, Holden Beach is a family-oriented community with minimal commercial development and a strong sea turtle nesting program from May through October.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
82°F water · 86°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 2 to 8 mph.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
79 /100
great
84 Swim
81 Sunbathe
86 Walk
72 Fish
81 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
86°F
Sunny
Wind
9 mph
SE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.6 ft
7s · SE swell
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:52 AM
Sunset
7:29 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:39 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:31 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 12:41 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:53 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:22 AM | High | 6.0 ft |
| 1:33 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 7:41 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:09 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 2:23 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:25 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:50 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:55 AM | High | 6.3 ft |
| 3:09 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:07 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:38 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 3:54 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:48 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:22 AM | High | 6.0 ft |
| 4:38 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:46 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:08 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 5:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 11:18 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
16%
77
88°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
32%
32
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
60%
20
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
49%
25
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
38%
29
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
37
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°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
10:40 PM - 12:40 AM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking 9am–5pm daily via SurfCAST by Otto: $5/hour (up to 4 hrs), $20/day, $80/week, $175/annual. Free outside enforcement hours. ADA spaces free with placard.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beach May 20 – September 10 between 9am and 5pm. Otherwise allowed but must be leashed at all times. Service dogs exempt.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking required 9am–5pm
Address
110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Holden Beach today?
Holden 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 Holden Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beach May 20 – September 10 between 9am and 5pm. Otherwise allowed but must be leashed at all times. Service dogs exempt.
Is there an entry fee at Holden Beach?
Entry to Holden Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Holden Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Holden Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Holden Beach?
Amenities at Holden Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, public access ramps, kayak launches.
When is the water warmest at Holden 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 Holden Beach located?
Holden Beach is in Brunswick County, NC, at 110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS