85°
Sunny
0%
84
Brunswick County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Oak Island Beach
4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465
With 65 public beach access points—more than any other coastal community in the Carolinas—Oak Island offers easy beach entry along its full 8-mile length. The town has a fishing pier, a calm family vibe, and unusually generous off-season dog rules.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
82°F water · 85°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 2 to 7 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
84 /100
great
84 Swim
82 Sunbathe
87 Walk
72 Fish
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.8 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
85°F
Sunny
Wind
9 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
87°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.6 ft
7s · SE swell
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:51 AM
Sunset
7:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:39 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:31 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 12:41 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:53 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:22 AM | High | 6.0 ft |
| 1:33 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 7:41 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:09 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 2:23 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:25 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:50 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:55 AM | High | 6.3 ft |
| 3:09 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:07 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:38 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 3:54 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:48 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:08 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:22 AM | High | 6.0 ft |
| 4:38 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:31 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:46 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:08 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 5:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 11:18 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
80
88°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
30%
38
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
59%
23
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
46%
32
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
34%
38
85°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
22%
45
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
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
10:40 PM - 12:40 AM
Minor
4:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Major
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid parking April 1 – September 30, 9am–5pm; 2-hour free parking at Oak Island Pier Complex.
Dogs
Leashed (physical leash, no e-collars) required March 16 – October 15. Off-leash allowed October 15 – March 15 from 6am–8pm at marked beach accesses under voice/visual control. $100 first violation, escalating.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking April 1 – Sept 30
Address
4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Oak Island Beach today?
Oak Island 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 Oak Island Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed (physical leash, no e-collars) required March 16 – October 15. Off-leash allowed October 15 – March 15 from 6am–8pm at marked beach accesses under voice/visual control. $100 first violation, escalating.
Is there an entry fee at Oak Island Beach?
Entry to Oak Island Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Oak Island Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Oak Island Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Oak Island Beach?
Amenities at Oak Island Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, 65 public access ramps, beach wheelchairs (9 available, free, via Parks & Rec).
When is the water warmest at Oak Island 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 Oak Island Beach located?
Oak Island Beach is in Brunswick County, NC, at 4601 E Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS