61°
Sunny
0%
30
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.
NWS alert active · 61°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Weather
- 61°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 4.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued november 7 at 12:49pm est until november 7 at 10:00pm est by nws newport/morehead city nc
30 /100
skip
5 Swim
45 Sunbathe
68 Walk
67 Photo
Best for walking today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued November 7 at 12:49PM EST until November 7 at 10:00PM EST by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Seas 4 to 7 ft. * WHERE...The coastal waters from Duck to Ocracoke Inlet. * WHEN...Until 10 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
61°F
Clear
Wind
13 to 18 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
61°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
63°F
Cold
Next High Tide
6:47 PM
1.1 ft · in 14m
Wave Height
4.6 ft
10s · 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
6:31 AM
Sunset
5:01 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:24 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:16 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 1:15 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:47 PM | High | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:55 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 2:01 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:31 PM | High | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:43 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:34 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 2:43 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:12 PM | High | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:20 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 3:23 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:52 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:57 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:46 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 4:02 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:28 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:34 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:22 AM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 4:41 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:01 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:12 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:58 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 5:19 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8652587, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
61°
Mostly Sunny
0%
57
64°
Sunny
0%
60
67°
Sunny
0%
66
66°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
66°
Mostly Sunny
10%
63
59°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
31
What to Bring Today
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 63°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
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