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.

Ideal for a beach walk.

82°F water · 84°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 3 to 8 mph.

Weather

  • 84°F air — ideal beach weather
  • Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

  • 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
80 /100
great
85 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
72 Fish
82 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
84°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
SE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Sunny
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:21 PM
4.1 ft · in 4m
Wave Height
2.6 ft
7s · SE swell

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

NWS SRF · MHX · Issued Sep 9, 10:48 AM

Sunrise
6:48 AM
Sunset
7:25 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Today Sep 9
84°

Mostly Sunny

0%
80
Thu Sep 10
86°

Sunny

12%
77
Fri Sep 11
88°

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

33%
32
Sat Sep 12
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

43%
29
Sun Sep 13
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

57%
22
Mon Sep 14
87°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

32%
33
Tue Sep 15
86°

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

16%
41
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
  • optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Major
10:40 PM - 12:40 AM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 PM

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

restroomsshowerspicnic areaskayak/SUP launchbeach wheelchairs available
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.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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