86°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
29
Pender County, NC · Atlantic Ocean
Surf City Beach
214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
The central town on Topsail Island, Surf City is the busiest of the three Topsail communities, with a fishing pier, family-friendly restaurants, and a long stretch of wide Atlantic beach. The town spans the Pender/Onslow county line and serves as the main commercial hub for the island.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 51% rain · 82°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- 51% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
28 /100
skip
23 Swim
46 Sunbathe
13 Walk
35 Fish
28 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
86°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind
5 to 8 mph
SW
Rain
51%
Today
UV Peak
7 High
High 01 PM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:23 PM
5.3 ft · in 3.1h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (AMZ250)
The ILM 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.
- NCZ106 Coastal Pender — Surf City and Topsail Beach n/a
- NCZ108 Coastal New Hanover — Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, n/a
- NCZ110 Coastal Brunswick — Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach, n/a
- SCZ054 Coastal Horry — Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, n/a
- SCZ056 Coastal Georgetown — Murrells Inlet, Litchfield 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12:07 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 5:46 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 11:53 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 6:23 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 6:44 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 12:52 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 7:16 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:59 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 7:39 AM | High | 4.1 ft |
| 1:50 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 8:08 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:50 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 8:33 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 2:46 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 9:00 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:37 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 9:29 AM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 3:38 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 9:53 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:23 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 10:25 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 4:29 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:46 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:09 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:20 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 5:23 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 11:38 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8658163, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
58%
27
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
62%
24
86°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
47
89°
Sunny
2%
79
89°
Sunny
14%
77
88°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
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
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 51% rain chance
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 March 1 – October 31, 9am–6pm, at all town-controlled lots and on-street spaces: $5/hour, $25/day, $100/week, $250/season. Pay via Pivot Parking (text SURFB to 25023, app, or QR code).
Dogs
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 20 feet). Owners must clean up waste; bags provided at accesses.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking required March 1 – October 31
Address
214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Surf City Beach today?
Surf City 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 Surf City Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed year-round but must be leashed at all times (leash max 20 feet). Owners must clean up waste; bags provided at accesses.
Is there an entry fee at Surf City Beach?
Entry to Surf City Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Surf City Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Surf City Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Surf City Beach?
Amenities at Surf City Beach include restrooms, showers, fishing pier, public access ramps, restaurants.
When is the water warmest at Surf City 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 Surf City Beach located?
Surf City Beach is in Pender County, NC, at 214 N New River Drive, Surf City, NC 28445.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS