Coquina Beach, Dare County

North Carolina beaches

Q: What is the best beach in North Carolina right now?

Headys Beach has the top Beach Score later: 8.2 Great, with 13 km/h (8 mph) of wind. Scores are ranked from live forecasts, so the order changes through the day.

Q: What is the water temperature in North Carolina today?

Sea water is 18 to 22°C (64 to 71°F) across the 48 scored beaches. The warmest is Freeman Park, at 22°C (71°F).

Q: Where is the sea calmest in North Carolina right now?

Island View Shores has the smallest waves, at <0.1 m (<1 ft) with 10 km/h (6 mph) of wind. 2 other beaches are level with it.

Q: Which North Carolina beaches have lifeguards?

None of the listed beaches carry a lifeguard tag on OpenStreetMap yet. That means we do not know, not that there are none. Follow posted flags and local advice.

Q: What is the best time to go to the beach in North Carolina today?

Averaged across the scored beaches, the best hour today is 12 pm, at 7.5 Great, and the strongest stretch runs 8 am to 7 pm. Each beach page has its own hour-by-hour forecast.

Q: Are there live beach cams in North Carolina?

2 listed beaches have a live cam. Cams load on click, and each shows the owner's credit.

Q: How many beaches does Check the Beach cover in North Carolina?

All 48 beaches in our data for North Carolina are scored live on this page.

Which North Carolina beach is best right now? 48 beaches ranked by live weather, wind, waves and water temperature.

Beaches48
Good later33 of 48
Water18 to 22°C64 to 71°F
Best laterHeadys Beach
8.2Greatlater

Updated 12:25 am local timeScores from Open-Meteo forecasts, refreshed hourlyColors follow the lifeguard flags

Top 3 right now

It is dark there now, so these are ranked by their best stretch next.

18.2Greatlater
Headys Beach
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
Air
9°C48°F
Water
21°C70°F
Wind
13 km/h8 mph
Waves
0.4 m1 ft
Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 1 pm, 7.5
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
28.2Greatlater
Bald Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
Air
11°C52°F
Water
21°C70°F
Wind
14 km/h9 mph
Waves
0.5 m2 ft
Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 4 pm, 7.4
Live cam38.2Greatlater
Sunset Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
Air
11°C52°F
Water
21°C70°F
Wind
14 km/h9 mph
Waves
0.5 m2 ft
Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 4 pm, 7.4

North Carolina today

It is dark across North Carolina right now: 33 of 48 scored beaches look good later, water is 18 to 22°C64 to 71°F. Read at 12:25 am; everything below is computed from that reading.

Better right now

Northern North Carolina

13 of 13 beaches scored, 0 good now

7.3GreatAverage Beach ScoreBest: Respess Shore, 8.1

Water: 19°C66°F
Wind: 20 km/h12 mph
Waves: 0.7 m2 ft

Southern North Carolina

35 of 35 beaches scored, 0 good now

7.3GreatAverage Beach ScoreBest: Headys Beach, 8.2

Water: 20°C69°F
Wind: 21 km/h13 mph
Waves: 0.6 m2 ft

22°C71°FNo photo yet
Warmest water
22°C71°F
Freeman Park
New Hanover County. 1.5°2.7° above the North Carolina average. Score 7.2 Great.
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Calmest sea
<0.1 m<1 ft waves
Island View Shores
Beaufort County. Wind 10 km/h6 mph. Level with 2 other beaches.

Best hours

The best hour left today is 12 pm (7.5); the weakest is 8 am (6.9).

The strongest stretch runs 8 am to 7 pm.

6.9

7.0

7.1

7.2

7.5

7.4

7.3

6.9

7 to 10, green flag4 to 7, yellowUnder 4, redAverage of the scored beaches, each hour

All North Carolina beaches

Filter by what you need, sort by what matters today, and hover a row to find it on the map.

48 beaches listed · 48 of 48 scored live

SortArea

Headys Beach
Onslow County
8.2Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air9°C48°F
- Wind13 km/h8 mph
- Waves0.4 m1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Bald Beach
Brunswick County
8.2Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C52°F
- Wind14 km/h9 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- Free parking
Live cam
Sunset Beach
Brunswick County
8.2Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C52°F
- Wind14 km/h9 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Respess Shore
Beaufort County
8.1Greatlater
Waves not available, light wind.
- Watern/a
- Air8°C46°F
- Wind10 km/h6 mph
- Wavesn/a
TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 6 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Island View Shores
Beaufort County
8.1Greatlater
Flat water, light wind and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air8°C46°F
- Wind10 km/h6 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 6 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Ocean Isle Beach
Brunswick County
8.1Greatlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C52°F
- Wind13 km/h8 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- Paid parking
Timelapse
Palm Tree Island
New Hanover County
8.1Greatlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C51°F
- Wind15 km/h10 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Bailey Shore
Hyde County
8.0Greatlater
Flat water, light wind and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air10°C50°F
- Wind10 km/h6 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Lupton Shore
Hyde County
8.0Greatlater
Flat water, light wind and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air10°C50°F
- Wind10 km/h6 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Big Beach
Brunswick County
8.0Greatlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C51°F
- Wind13 km/h8 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Live cam
Holden Beach
Brunswick County
8.0Greatlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air11°C51°F
- Wind13 km/h8 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C69°FNo photo yet
North Topsail Shores
Onslow County
8.0Greatlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 21°C69°F water.
- Water21°C69°F
- Air10°C49°F
- Wind15 km/h9 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Lawson Shore
Beaufort County
8.0Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air11°C52°F
- Wind17 km/h11 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Norflick Shore
Beaufort County
8.0Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air11°C52°F
- Wind17 km/h11 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C67°FNo photo yet
Deer Field Shores
Carteret County
7.8Greatlater
Flat water, light wind and 19°C67°F water.
- Water19°C67°F
- Air10°C50°F
- Wind10 km/h6 mph
- Waves0.2 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Long Beach
Brunswick County
7.8Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C57°F
- Wind20 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 10 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Oak Island Cabana
Brunswick County
7.8Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C57°F
- Wind20 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 10 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Sea Haven Beach
Onslow County
7.8Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air13°C56°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.7 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 10 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
No photo yet
Batemans Beach
Washington County
7.8Greatlater
Flat water, breezy.
- Watern/a
- Air14°C57°F
- Wind22 km/h14 mph
- Waves<0.1 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 10 am to 6 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Hurst Beach
Onslow County
7.7Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air13°C55°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Onslow Beach
Onslow County
7.7Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air13°C55°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.5 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Stevens Street Public Beach Access
Pender County
7.7Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C57°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- Free parking
Pine Knoll Shores
Carteret County
7.6Greatlater
Flat water, gentle breeze and 21°C69°F water.
- Water21°C69°F
- Air14°C56°F
- Wind17 km/h10 mph
- Waves0.3 m1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Bogue Banks
Carteret County
7.6Greatlater
Flat water, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C58°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.3 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 9 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Indian Beach
Carteret County
7.6Greatlater
Flat water, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C58°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.3 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 9 am to 7 pm later
- Free parking
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Indian Beach
Carteret County
7.6Greatlater
Flat water, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C58°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.3 m<1 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 9 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C70°FNo photo yet
Masonboro Island Reserve
New Hanover County
7.6Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air15°C59°F
- Wind24 km/h15 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Caswell Beach
Brunswick County
7.5Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air14°C58°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Lea-Hutaff Island
Pender County
7.5Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C70°F water.
- Water21°C70°F
- Air15°C59°F
- Wind28 km/h17 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 9 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
22°C71°FNo photo yet
Freeman Park
New Hanover County
7.2Greatlater
Small waves, strong wind and 22°C71°F water.
- Water22°C71°F
- Air16°C61°F
- Wind32 km/h20 mph
- Waves0.8 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C71°FNo photo yet
Bay Beach
Brunswick County
7.1Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C71°F water.
- Water21°C71°F
- Air17°C62°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves0.7 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C71°FNo photo yet
Kure Beach
New Hanover County
7.1Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C71°F water.
- Water21°C71°F
- Air17°C62°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves0.7 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
21°C71°FNo photo yet
East Beach
Brunswick County
7.0Greatlater
Small waves, breezy and 21°C71°F water.
- Water21°C71°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind28 km/h17 mph
- Waves0.7 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Cedar Island Beach
Carteret County
6.7Goodlater
Small waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind22 km/h14 mph
- Waves0.6 m2 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Pea Island Beach
Dare County
6.7Goodlater
1.4 m5 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air18°C64°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.4 m5 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- Free parking
Coquina Beach
Dare County
6.5Goodlater
1.6 m5 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air18°C64°F
- Wind28 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.6 m5 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Rodanthe Public Beach Access
Dare County
6.5Goodlater
1.4 m4 ft waves, breezy and 19°C65°F water.
- Water19°C65°F
- Air18°C64°F
- Wind28 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.4 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- Free parking
South Core Banks
Carteret County
6.4Goodlater
Small waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air16°C61°F
- Wind20 km/h12 mph
- Waves0.9 m3 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Currituck Beach
Currituck County
6.4Goodlater
1.1 m4 ft waves, breezy and 18°C64°F water.
- Water18°C64°F
- Air17°C62°F
- Wind24 km/h15 mph
- Waves1.1 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 5 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Old Lighthouse Beach
Dare County
6.4Goodlater
1.4 m4 ft waves, breezy and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air17°C62°F
- Wind25 km/h15 mph
- Waves1.4 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- Free parking
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Bare Sand Beach
Carteret County
6.3Goodlater
Small waves, breezy and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air16°C61°F
- Wind21 km/h13 mph
- Waves0.9 m3 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
Lighthouse Area Oceanside Beach
Carteret County
6.3Goodlater
Small waves, breezy and 20°C67°F water.
- Water20°C67°F
- Air16°C61°F
- Wind23 km/h14 mph
- Waves0.9 m3 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
18°C65°FNo photo yet
Sand Island
Carteret County
6.3Goodlater
Small waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind26 km/h16 mph
- Waves0.9 m3 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
19°C66°FNo photo yet
Bald Beach
Dare County
6.2Goodlater
1.6 m5 ft waves, breezy and 19°C66°F water.
- Water19°C66°F
- Air18°C64°F
- Wind29 km/h18 mph
- Waves1.6 m5 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
18°C65°FNo photo yet
Cape Lookout beach camping
Carteret County
6.1Goodlater
1.2 m4 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.2 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
18°C65°FNo photo yet
Old House Beach
Carteret County
6.1Goodlater
1.2 m4 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.2 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
The Sands
Carteret County
6.1Goodlater
1.2 m4 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.
- Water18°C65°F
- Air17°C63°F
- Wind27 km/h17 mph
- Waves1.2 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
20°C69°FNo photo yet
Cape Lookout Shoals
Carteret County
6.0Goodlater
1.2 m4 ft waves, breezy and 20°C69°F water.
- Water20°C69°F
- Air16°C62°F
- Wind25 km/h16 mph
- Waves1.2 m4 ft
TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
- No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet

Coastlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Pins are live scores.

7 and up4 to 7Under 4No live score hereHover a beach to find it. Click a group to zoom in.

2 North Carolina beaches have a live cam
Holden Beach, Sunset Beach. Cams load on click.

See the live cams

North Carolina by area

Every area we score, with its own read of today and its best beaches ranked. Filters above apply to the list, not to these.

Carteret County

It is dark in Carteret County: 5 of 14 scored beaches look good later. Water is 18 to 21°C65 to 70°F. Deer Field Shores is the calmest, with 10 km/h6 mph of wind and 0.2 m<1 ft waves.

Dark now. 5 of 14 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

19°C67°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.8Greatlater
Deer Field Shores
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
7.6Greatlater
Pine Knoll Shores
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
7.6Greatlater
Bogue Banks
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 9 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.6Greatlater
Indian Beach
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 9 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.6Greatlater
Indian Beach
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 9 am later
6.7Goodlater
Cedar Island Beach
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
6.4Goodlater
South Core Banks
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
6.3Goodlater
Bare Sand Beach
Carteret County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 14 beaches in Carteret County

Brunswick County

It is dark in Brunswick County: 10 of 10 scored beaches look good later. Water is 21°C70 to 71°F. Bald Beach is the calmest, with 14 km/h9 mph of wind and 0.5 m2 ft waves.

Dark now. 10 of 10 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.2Greatlater
Bald Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
8.2Greatlater
Sunset Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
8.1Greatlater
Ocean Isle Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
8.0Greatlater
Big Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
8.0Greatlater
Holden Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
7.8Greatlater
Long Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 10 am later
7.8Greatlater
Oak Island Cabana
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 10 am later
7.5Greatlater
Caswell Beach
Brunswick County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 10 beaches in Brunswick County

Dare County

It is dark in Dare County: 0 of 5 scored beaches look good later. Water is 18 to 19°C65 to 66°F. Old Lighthouse Beach is the calmest, with 25 km/h15 mph of wind and 1.4 m4 ft waves.

Dark now. 0 of 5 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

6.7Goodlater
Pea Island Beach
Dare County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
6.5Goodlater
Coquina Beach
Dare County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
6.5Goodlater
Rodanthe Public Beach Access
Dare County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
6.4Goodlater
Old Lighthouse Beach
Dare County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
6.2Goodlater
Bald Beach
Dare County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 5 beaches in Dare County

Onslow County

It is dark in Onslow County: 5 of 5 scored beaches look good later. Water is 21°C69 to 70°F. Headys Beach is the calmest, with 13 km/h8 mph of wind and 0.4 m1 ft waves.

Dark now. 5 of 5 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

8.2Greatlater
Headys Beach
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
21°C69°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.0Greatlater
North Topsail Shores
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.8Greatlater
Sea Haven Beach
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 10 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.7Greatlater
Hurst Beach
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.7Greatlater
Onslow Beach
Onslow County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 5 beaches in Onslow County

Beaufort County

It is dark in Beaufort County: 4 of 4 scored beaches look good later. Water is 19°C66°F. Island View Shores is the calmest, with 10 km/h6 mph of wind and <0.1 m<1 ft waves.

Dark now. 4 of 4 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

8.1Greatlater
Respess Shore
Beaufort County
Dark there now. Best 11 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.1Greatlater
Island View Shores
Beaufort County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.0Greatlater
Lawson Shore
Beaufort County
Dark there now. Best 11 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.0Greatlater
Norflick Shore
Beaufort County
Dark there now. Best 11 am later

See all 4 beaches in Beaufort County

New Hanover County

It is dark in New Hanover County: 4 of 4 scored beaches look good later. Water is 21 to 22°C70 to 71°F. Palm Tree Island is the calmest, with 15 km/h10 mph of wind and 0.5 m2 ft waves.

Dark now. 4 of 4 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

8.1Greatlater
Palm Tree Island
New Hanover County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
21°C70°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.6Greatlater
Masonboro Island Reserve
New Hanover County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
22°C71°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.2Greatlater
Freeman Park
New Hanover County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
21°C71°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
7.1Greatlater
Kure Beach
New Hanover County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 4 beaches in New Hanover County

Hyde County

It is dark in Hyde County: 2 of 2 scored beaches look good later. Water is 19°C66°F. Bailey Shore is the calmest, with 10 km/h6 mph of wind and <0.1 m<1 ft waves.

Dark now. 2 of 2 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.0Greatlater
Bailey Shore
Hyde County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
19°C66°Fwater nowNo photo yet. Add one
8.0Greatlater
Lupton Shore
Hyde County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later

See all 2 beaches in Hyde County

Pender County

It is dark in Pender County: 2 of 2 scored beaches look good later. Water is 21°C70°F. Stevens Street Public Beach Access is the calmest, with 21 km/h13 mph of wind and 0.6 m2 ft waves.

Dark now. 2 of 2 look good later

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag.

7.7Greatlater
Stevens Street Public Beach Access
Pender County
Dark there now. Best 8 am later
7.5Greatlater
Lea-Hutaff Island
Pender County
Dark there now. Best 9 am later

See all 2 beaches in Pender County

2 more areas have beaches in our data. Find them under “Sub-areas” below or in the area filter.

Sub-areas of North Carolina

Each square is one beach, colored by its live flag. Outlined squares are in the dark.

7.6Greatlater
Carteret County
Dark now. 5 of 14 look good later
Best now: Bogue Banks, 7.6 Great
8.2Greatlater
Brunswick County
Dark now. 10 of 10 look good later
Best now: Sunset Beach, 8.2 Great
6.7Goodlater
Dare County
Dark now. 0 of 5 look good later
Best now: Pea Island Beach, 6.7 Good
8.2Greatlater
Onslow County
Dark now. 5 of 5 look good later
Best now: Headys Beach, 8.2 Great
8.1Greatlater
Beaufort County
Dark now. 4 of 4 look good later
Best now: Respess Shore, 8.1 Great
8.1Greatlater
New Hanover County
Dark now. 4 of 4 look good later
Best now: Palm Tree Island, 8.1 Great
8.0Greatlater
Hyde County
Dark now. 2 of 2 look good later
Best now: Bailey Shore, 8.0 Great
7.7Greatlater
Pender County
Dark now. 2 of 2 look good later
Best now: Stevens Street Public Beach Access, 7.7 Great
6.4Goodlater
Currituck County
Dark now. 0 of 1 look good later
Best now: Currituck Beach, 6.4 Good
7.8Greatlater
Washington County
Dark now. 1 of 1 look good later
Best now: Batemans Beach, 7.8 Great

Stays near North Carolina’s best beaches today

Compare hotels and apartments near the beaches that score best today.

Partner links

8.2 GreatHeadys Beach now
Stays near Headys Beach
Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.
Prices for your datesCompare stays
8.2 GreatBald Beach now
Stays near Bald Beach
Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.
Prices for your datesCompare stays
8.2 GreatSunset Beach now
Stays near Sunset Beach
Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.
Prices for your datesCompare stays

Hotel results come from our stays partner. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you, and it never changes the beach score.

North Carolina beach questions

Answered from today’s data. Numbers change as the forecast does.

What is the best beach in North Carolina right now?

Headys Beach has the top Beach Score later: 8.2 Great, with 13 km/h (8 mph) of wind. Scores are ranked from live forecasts, so the order changes through the day.

What is the water temperature in North Carolina today?

Sea water is 18 to 22°C (64 to 71°F) across the 48 scored beaches. The warmest is Freeman Park, at 22°C (71°F).

Where is the sea calmest in North Carolina right now?

Island View Shores has the smallest waves, at <0.1 m (<1 ft) with 10 km/h (6 mph) of wind. 2 other beaches are level with it.

Which North Carolina beaches have lifeguards?

None of the listed beaches carry a lifeguard tag on OpenStreetMap yet. That means we do not know, not that there are none. Follow posted flags and local advice.

What is the best time to go to the beach in North Carolina today?

Averaged across the scored beaches, the best hour today is 12 pm, at 7.5 Great, and the strongest stretch runs 8 am to 7 pm. Each beach page has its own hour-by-hour forecast.

Are there live beach cams in North Carolina?

2 listed beaches have a live cam. Cams load on click, and each shows the owner's credit.

How many beaches does Check the Beach cover in North Carolina?

All 48 beaches in our data for North Carolina are scored live on this page.

Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts; facilities from OpenStreetMap. All sources.

More states in United States

Same live scores, same flags.

Run a cam on a North Carolina beach? List it free.

Surf shops, hotels and lifeguard clubs: put your cam next to a live Beach Score and send beachgoers your way.

Free listing, with a credit and a link to your site on the beach page
Works with YouTube streams and most IP cams
Cams load on click, so nothing autoplays

List your beach camTakes about 5 minutes.