84°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
56%
24
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Kitty Hawk Beach
Beach Rd, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
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.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 56% rain · 80°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 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 17 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
- 56% 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
37 Sunbathe
8 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
9 to 14 mph
NE
Rain
56%
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
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
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
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
67%
13
86°
Chance Rain Showers
44%
54
92°
Sunny
5%
77
90°
Sunny
3%
80
90°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
44
90°
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 9 to 14 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 56% rain chance
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
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.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS