88°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
61%
22
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 61% rain · 82°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms before 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northeast wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 61% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
23 /100
skip
18 Swim
37 Sunbathe
4 Walk
30 Fish
26 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Clear
Wind
3 to 7 mph
SW
Rain
61%
Today
UV Peak
7 High
High 01 PM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:00 PM
4.1 ft · in 3.7h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
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
6:06 AM
Sunset
8:24 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:32 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:15 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 12:13 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:00 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:32 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:14 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 1:14 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:56 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:28 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:12 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 2:14 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 8:49 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:19 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 9:08 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 3:09 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 9:41 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:07 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:03 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 4:03 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:32 PM | High | 3.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:54 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:58 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 4:57 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:21 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:52 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 5:54 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8656483, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
73%
19
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
62%
22
90°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
43
90°
Sunny
2%
78
89°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
45
88°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
30%
36
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 61% chance of rain
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Minor
3:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
6:50 PM - 7:50 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