Ocracoke Island Beach Area: rip current risk and surf forecast

North CarolinaNear Ocracoke, Hyde CountyNWS zone NCZ204NWS Newport-Morehead City

Rip current risk today: Low. Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

Surf 2 to 3 feet, water in the lower 80s. Buoy HCGN7, 12 mi out, measured 80 °F water. Sunset 7:00 PM.

Rip current risk: LowToday
Surf: 2 to 3 feetForecast
Water: In the lower 80sForecast
Sunset: 7:00 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Ocracoke Island Beach Area. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force1

Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and every other National Weather Service product in force for zone NCZ204.

Coastal Flood Watchuntil Sat 12:00 AM
Coastal Flood Watch issued September 22 at 10:23AM EDT until September 26 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
* WHAT...2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level possible in low- lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Areas along the beaches, Pamlico Sound, and adjacent tidal creeks. * WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening. Most significant impacts expected during the Thursday evening and Friday morning high tide cycles. * IMPACTS...Up to 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level is possible in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways resulting in an elevated threat of property damage. Flooding may extend inland from the waterfront threatening some homes and businesses. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns, and homes adjacent to the waterfront will experience shallow flooding. Vulnerable areas along Highway 12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras Island are especially at risk for inundation from the oceanside.
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.

All alerts for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 1008 AM EDT, 9/22/2026.

Today Rest of today

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: 2 to 3 feet
Water temperature: In the lower 80s
UV index: High
High temperature: In the lower 80s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms
Wind: Northeast winds around 15 mph
Thunderstorms: Low

UV index 6 to 7. Sunburn protection is needed; reduce time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow Wednesday

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: 3 to 5 feet
High temperature: In the upper 70s
Weather: Cloudy. Rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms
Wind: Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph
Thunderstorms: Low

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Ocracoke Island. Issued 10:08 AM EDT on Tue, Sep 22 by the National Weather Service in Newport-Morehead City.

Rest of today

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 2 to 3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
UV Index: High
Water Temperature: In the lower 80s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the lower 80s
Winds: Northeast winds around 15 mph
Tides, Ocracoke Inlet: Low 0.6 feet (MLLW) 10:55 AM EDT. High 2.1 feet (MLLW) 05:26 PM EDT

Wednesday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 3 to 5 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: Low
Weather: Cloudy. Rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 70s
Winds: Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph
Tides, Ocracoke Inlet: Low 0.5 feet (MLLW) 11:44 AM EDT

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

The product as issued

FZUS52 KMHX 221408
SRFMHX

Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

NCZ203-230000-
Northern Outer Banks-
Including the beaches of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, 
Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 4 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 70s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and 
                            a slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Duck Pier................Low 1.1 feet (MLLW) 10:39 AM EDT.
                            High 3.6 feet (MLLW) 05:11 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........High. 
Surf Height.................8 to 11 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Rain. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds 25 to 30 mph.
Tides...
   Duck Pier................Low 0.9 feet (MLLW) 11:31 AM EDT.
                            High 3.7 feet (MLLW) 05:54 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

$$

NCZ205-230000-
Hatteras Island-
Including the beaches of Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, 
Hatteras Village, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...
   North of Cape Hatteras...High. 
   South of Cape Hatteras...Low. 
Surf Height...
   North of Cape Hatteras...3 to 4 feet. 
   South of Cape Hatteras...2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 70s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Cape Hatteras............Low 0.8 feet (MLLW) 10:45 AM EDT.
                            High 3.4 feet (MLLW) 05:18 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...
   North of Cape Hatteras...High. 
   South of Cape Hatteras...High. 
Surf Height...
   North of Cape Hatteras...8 to 11 feet. 
   South of Cape Hatteras...6 to 9 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Rain and a slight chance of 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph.
Tides...
   Cape Hatteras............Low 0.6 feet (MLLW) 11:34 AM EDT.
                            High 3.5 feet (MLLW) 05:59 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

$$

NCZ204-230000-
Ocracoke Island-
Including the beaches of Ocracoke
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Ocracoke Inlet...........Low 0.6 feet (MLLW) 10:55 AM EDT.
                            High 2.1 feet (MLLW) 05:26 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Rain and a slight chance of 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph.
Tides...
   Ocracoke Inlet...........Low 0.5 feet (MLLW) 11:44 AM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

$$

NCZ196-230000-
East Carteret-
Including the beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore and
Shackleford Banks
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...
   Core Banks...............Low. 
   Shackleford Banks........Low. 
Surf Height...
   Core Banks...............2 to 3 feet. 
   Shackleford Banks........Around 2 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Cape Lookout.............Low 0.9 feet (MLLW) 10:22 AM EDT.
                            High 3.9 feet (MLLW) 04:55 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...
   Core Banks...............Moderate. 
   Shackleford Banks........Moderate. 
Surf Height...
   Core Banks...............3 to 5 feet. 
   Shackleford Banks........3 to 4 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Rain and a slight chance of 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds 25 to 30 mph.
Tides...
   Cape Lookout.............Low 0.7 feet (MLLW) 11:11 AM EDT.
                            High 4.0 feet (MLLW) 05:36 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

$$

NCZ195-230000-
West Carteret-
Including the beaches of Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, 
Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, and Emerald Isle
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic Beach...........Low 0.8 feet (MLLW) 10:36 AM EDT.
                            High 4.0 feet (MLLW) 05:02 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Rain likely and a slight chance 
                            of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic Beach...........Low 0.6 feet (MLLW) 11:24 AM EDT.
                            High 4.2 feet (MLLW) 05:45 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx

$$

NCZ199-230000-
Coastal Onslow-
Including the beaches of Hammocks Beach and North Topsail Beach
1008 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Low. 
UV Index**..................High. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the lower 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
   North Topsail Beach......Low 0.9 feet (MLLW) 10:43 AM EDT.
                            High 4.7 feet (MLLW) 05:20 PM EDT.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Moderate. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Rain likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   North Topsail Beach......Low 0.7 feet (MLLW) 11:32 AM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy HCGN7, 8654467 - USCG Station Hatteras, NC, 12 mi away, reported 12:48 PM.

Water temperature: 80 °F
Air temperature: 77 °F
Wind: 8 kt from the ENE

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Ocracoke, Pamlico Sound, 6.4 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide5:21 AM0.9 ft
Low tide11:43 AM0.5 ft
High tide5:38 PM1.1 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Ocracoke, Pamlico Sound.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:52 AM
Sunset today: 7:00 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:52 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:59 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

Ocracoke

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

The forecast has a low chance of thunderstorms today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office MHX, issued 1008 AM EDT, 9/22/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone NCZ204.