83°
Mostly Sunny
0%
82
Dare County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Nags Head Beach
S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959
The heart of the Outer Banks — 11 miles of wide Atlantic sand fronted by Beach Road. Soundside one block back, Jockey's Ridge State Park (the largest natural sand dunes on the East Coast) is two miles inland. Endless beach-cottage rentals, fishing piers every couple of miles, classic OBX vacation in concentrated form.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
83°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Weather
- 83°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
82 /100
great
80 Sunbathe
86 Walk
72 Fish
81 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
12 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
7:33 PM
1.5 ft · in 16m
Wave Height
1.6 ft
11s · E swell
Barometer
30.29 inHg
Steady · buoy 41025
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:40 AM
Sunset
7:19 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
87°
Sunny
2%
74
86°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
45
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
35%
41
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
42
83°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
15%
80
83°
Sunny
4%
84
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 12 mph wind
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
10:30 PM - 12:30 AM
Minor
4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Major
10:50 AM - 12:50 PM
Minor
6:10 PM - 7:10 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free public lots and ocean-side accesses every few blocks along NC-12. Some lots fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round on a leash (max 10 ft). No off-leash voice-control window; owners must clean up.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Nags Head Beach today?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round on a leash (max 10 ft). No off-leash voice-control window; owners must clean up.
Is there an entry fee at Nags Head Beach?
Entry to Nags Head Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Nags Head Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Nags Head Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Nags Head Beach?
Amenities at Nags Head Beach include lifeguards, public restrooms at major accesses, fishing piers, rentals nearby.
When is the water warmest at Nags Head 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 Nags Head Beach located?
Nags Head Beach is in Dare County, NC, at S Virginia Dare Trail (NC-12), Nags Head, NC 27959.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS