86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
60%
21
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 60% rain · 84°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 9 to 14 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. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. East wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- 60% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
17 /100
skip
10 Swim
35 Sunbathe
4 Walk
32 Fish
24 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
86°F
Cloudy
Wind
9 to 14 mph
NE
Rain
60%
Today
UV Peak
6 High
Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~33m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:13 PM
1.4 ft · in 4.0h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
6s · SSW swell
Barometer
30.05 inHg
1018 hPa
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
84°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
70%
11
87°
Rain Showers Likely
55%
47
92°
Sunny
7%
76
89°
Sunny
2%
81
88°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
47
89°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
39
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 6 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 9 to 14 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 84°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 60% chance of rain
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
9:50 PM - 11:50 PM
Minor
3:10 AM - 4:10 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
6:50 PM - 7:50 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