68°
Sunny
0%
70
Onslow County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
North Topsail Beach
2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
The northernmost and least developed of the three Topsail Island towns, North Topsail Beach has a remote, dune-lined feel with miles of relatively quiet beach. Swimming is prohibited near New River Inlet at the north end due to extreme currents.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. North wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 6 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 68°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
70 /100
great
56 Swim
72 Sunbathe
80 Walk
70 Fish
77 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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
68°F
Clear
Wind
6 to 10 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
66 Moderate
PM2.5 (fine particles) · New Hanover County
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
65°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Wave Height
4.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41013
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ158)
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
6:35 AM
Sunset
5:11 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:02 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 12:22 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:15 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:45 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 1:09 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:57 PM | High | 3.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:26 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 1:51 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:38 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:38 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:06 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 2:30 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:19 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:14 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:47 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 3:08 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:01 PM | High | 2.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:50 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:29 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 3:47 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 9:44 PM | High | 2.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:27 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:13 AM | High | 3.6 ft |
| 4:29 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 10:29 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
65°
Sunny
0%
70
69°
Sunny
0%
74
70°
Sunny
0%
75
70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
69°
Mostly Sunny
7%
74
61°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
15%
60
What to Bring Today
Nothing unusual - conditions are unremarkable today.
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
9:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Minor
3:40 PM - 4:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking year-round 9am–5pm at town lots: $5/hour, $25/day, $100/week, $250/annual via SurfCAST by Otto. Free parking at Onslow County beach accesses #1, #2, and #4.
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 25 feet). Owners must remove waste immediately. $100 fine.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking at town lots
Address
2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at North Topsail Beach today?
North Topsail 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is North Topsail Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 25 feet). Owners must remove waste immediately. $100 fine.
Is there an entry fee at North Topsail Beach?
Entry to North Topsail Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at North Topsail Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at North Topsail Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at North Topsail Beach?
Amenities at North Topsail Beach include restrooms, showers, picnic areas, kayak/SUP launch, beach wheelchairs available.
When is the water warmest at North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach located?
North Topsail Beach is in Onslow County, NC, at 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS