89°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
34
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 82°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. East wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Weather
- 89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 37% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
30 /100
skip
23 Swim
49 Sunbathe
20 Walk
34 Fish
30 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
89°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
SW
Rain
37%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:26 PM
6.4 ft · in 3.1h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:10 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 5:57 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 12:04 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 6:26 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:12 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 6:57 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 1:02 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 7:24 PM | High | 6.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:08 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:54 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 2:00 PM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 8:18 PM | High | 6.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 8:48 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 2:56 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 9:10 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:49 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 9:42 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 3:50 PM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 10:00 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:36 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 10:37 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 4:42 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:52 PM | High | 5.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
31
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
65%
22
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
22%
45
89°
Sunny
4%
80
90°
Sunny
12%
78
88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
39
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 82°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 37% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°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
3:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
6:50 PM - 7:50 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