84°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
24
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Kill Devil Hills Beach
Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Between Kitty Hawk and Nags Head — site of the actual Wright Brothers National Memorial. Five miles of Atlantic beach, busy commercial strip on US-158 behind it. Surfable swells; consistently one of the more affordable OBX bases.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 57% rain · 80°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 17 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 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 84°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.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Cloudy
Wind
8 to 13 mph
NE
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
82°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
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:55 AM
Sunset
8:20 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
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
68%
13
86°
Chance Rain Showers
47%
54
92°
Sunny
6%
77
90°
Sunny
3%
80
90°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
43
90°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
39
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 8 to 13 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
Free public lots at numbered accesses along Beach Rd.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are only permitted on the beach before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Kill Devil Hills Beach today?
Kill Devil Hills 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 Kill Devil Hills Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, dogs are only permitted on the beach before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
Is there an entry fee at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Entry to Kill Devil Hills Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Kill Devil Hills Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Kill Devil Hills Beach?
Amenities at Kill Devil Hills Beach include lifeguards, public restrooms at major accesses, restaurants nearby, shops nearby.
When is the water warmest at Kill Devil Hills 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 Kill Devil Hills Beach located?
Kill Devil Hills Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Beach Rd (NC-12), Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS