Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean

Kitty Hawk Beach

The northern Outer Banks beach where the Wright Brothers first flew — though the actual flight was inland at Kill Devil Hills. Quieter and more residential than Nags Head; 4 miles of unbroken Atlantic sand with a low-key beach-town vibe.

Stay 21 Eats & Drinks 15

Today's Conditions

Ideal for swimming.

80°F water · 82°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

Weather

82°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

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

86 /100

ideal

88 Swim

83 Sunbathe

87 Walk

82 Photo

Best for swimming today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

82°F

Sunny

Wind

10 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

8 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

89°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

80°F

Swimming weather

Next High Tide

7:33 PM

1.5 ft · in 16m

Wave Height

1.6 ft

11s · E swell

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ150)

The MHX 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.

NCZ203 Northern Outer Banks — Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, n/a
NCZ205 Hatteras Island — Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, n/a
NCZ204 Ocracoke Island — Ocracoke n/a
NCZ196 East Carteret — Cape Lookout National Seashore and n/a
NCZ195 West Carteret — Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, n/a
NCZ199 Coastal Onslow — Hammocks Beach and North Topsail Beach n/a

NWS SRF · MHX · Issued Sep 9, 10:48 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:40 AM

Sunset

7:20 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
1:38 AM	Low	0.5 ft
7:06 AM	High	1.3 ft
1:33 PM	Low	0.4 ft
7:33 PM	High	1.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:26 AM	Low	0.5 ft
7:54 AM	High	1.4 ft
2:28 PM	Low	0.4 ft
8:21 PM	High	1.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:11 AM	Low	0.5 ft
8:39 AM	High	1.4 ft
3:20 PM	Low	0.4 ft
9:07 PM	High	1.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:54 AM	Low	0.5 ft
9:22 AM	High	1.4 ft
4:10 PM	Low	0.4 ft
9:53 PM	High	1.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:36 AM	Low	0.5 ft
10:04 AM	High	1.4 ft
4:58 PM	Low	0.4 ft
10:37 PM	High	1.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:17 AM	Low	0.5 ft
10:46 AM	High	1.4 ft
5:45 PM	Low	0.5 ft
11:22 PM	High	1.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:58 AM	Low	0.6 ft
11:29 AM	High	1.3 ft
6:31 PM	Low	0.5 ft

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

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

82°

Sunny

Thu Sep 10

89°

Sunny

Fri Sep 11

86°

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

23%

Sat Sep 12

85°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

45%

Sun Sep 13

85°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

32%

Mon Sep 14

83°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Tue Sep 15

84°

Sunny

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 80°F

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

Beach Info

Parking

Free public beach accesses every few blocks along Beach Rd.

Dogs

Leashed year-round; voice-control off-leash permitted in shoulder hours during summer.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Amenities

lifeguards at staffed accessespublic restrooms at major accessesrentals nearby

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Kitty Hawk Beach today?

Kitty Hawk 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 Kitty Hawk Beach dog-friendly?

Leashed year-round; voice-control off-leash permitted in shoulder hours during summer.

Is there an entry fee at Kitty Hawk Beach?

Entry to Kitty Hawk Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Kitty Hawk Beach?

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

What amenities are at Kitty Hawk Beach?

Amenities at Kitty Hawk Beach include lifeguards at staffed accesses, public restrooms at major accesses, rentals nearby.

When is the water warmest at Kitty Hawk 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 Kitty Hawk Beach located?

Kitty Hawk Beach is in Dare County, NC, at Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.