82°
Sunny
0%
85
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
82°F water · 82°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 82°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 82°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
85 /100
ideal
85 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
73 Fish
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 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
82°F
Partly Cloudy
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
85°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
82°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.6 ft
7s · SE swell
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
6:49 AM
Sunset
7:26 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:24 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:18 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 12:31 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 6:44 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:12 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 7:08 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 1:24 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 7:30 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:57 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 7:54 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 2:14 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 8:15 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:40 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:41 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 3:01 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:00 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:20 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:29 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:46 PM | High | 4.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:59 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:18 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 4:30 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:34 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:37 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:08 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 5:15 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 11:22 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8658163, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Sunny
9%
81
86°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
31%
36
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
29
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
55%
26
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
31%
39
86°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
47
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
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Minor
6:20 PM - 7:20 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