71°
Mostly Sunny
0%
69
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
Great day for a beach walk.
69°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 8 mph.
Weather
- 71°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 69°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- 4.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
69 /100
good
59 Swim
78 Sunbathe
83 Walk
72 Fish
79 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
71°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
9 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
66°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
69°F
Refreshing
Wave Height
4.9 ft
10s · ESE swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa · buoy 41013
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:37 AM
Sunset
5:15 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:41 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 12:01 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 5:53 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:08 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:24 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 12:45 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 6:35 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:47 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:04 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 1:26 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:15 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:42 AM | High | 6.1 ft |
| 2:06 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 7:53 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:03 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:20 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 2:45 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:30 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:41 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:59 AM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 3:25 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:09 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:20 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 9:42 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 4:06 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 9:52 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
66°
Sunny
0%
72
73°
Sunny
0%
81
73°
Sunny
0%
81
72°
Mostly Sunny
0%
80
70°
Mostly Sunny
8%
73
63°
Mostly Sunny
13%
61
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
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
9:40 AM - 11:40 AM
Minor
3:40 PM - 4:40 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