Outer Banks, NC

MapLive · -

14h 19m of daylight left

Sunset at 12:13 AM

Tomorrow > Today

Today scores 4.3, but tomorrow climbs to 6.1 during the 4 PM–5 PM window. Plan around it.

5-day

SKIPSkip

3.3/ 10 · Poor

Best time to ride

11 AM–12 PM

Next 12 hours

Probably not worth the paddle.

Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

8.5 ft↓

Sweet spot 3–7 ft

Period

9s→

Sweet spot 9–14 s

Wind

21 mph N→

Cross-shore

Tide

Next · Low 04:45 AM

Session plan

Skip

Probably not worth the paddle.

Outer Banks, NC

SKIP

Peak window

11 AM–12 PM

Avg score 4.3/10

Why this score

Tide will shift conditions soon.

Wave height8.5 ft

Swell period9s

WindCross-shore 21 mph

Current: 8.5 ft @ 9s • 21 mph wind. wave height is okay but not doing the heavy lifting period has some energy but isn't classic groundswell strong wind is adding a lot of bump and texture

Next 12 hours

Peak window 11 AM–12 PM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Wind-blown and soft — 8.5 ft with cross winds chopping it up. Tide shift to low around 4:45 AM could change the picture.

10 AM

3.38.5ft

11 AM

4.38.2ft

12 PM

4.38.0ft

1 PM

4.37.7ft

2 PM

2.57.5ft

3 PM

2.57.3ft

4 PM

2.57.1ft

5 PM

4.07.0ft

6 PM

3.06.8ft

7 PM

3.06.7ft

8 PM

3.06.6ft

9 PM

3.06.5ft

Sunrise 9:47 AM Sunset 12:13 AM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

9.3/10

Friday, Jun 5 • 9 AM–10 AM

Wave 4.1 ft

Period 7s

Wind max 13 mph

Temp 67–71°F

Wednesday, Jun 3

4.3 / 10

Best: 7 AM–8 AM

Wave: 8.2 ft

Period: 9s

Wind max: 28 mph

Thursday, Jun 4

6.1 / 10

Best: 4 PM–5 PM

Wave: 5.7 ft

Period: 8s

Wind max: 16 mph

Friday, Jun 5

9.3 / 10

Best: 9 AM–10 AM

Wave: 4.1 ft

Period: 7s

Wind max: 13 mph

Saturday, Jun 6

8.0 / 10

Best: 6 AM–7 AM

Wave: 3.6 ft

Period: 8s

Wind max: 18 mph

Sunday, Jun 7

6.3 / 10

Best: 6 AM–7 AM

Wave: 3.3 ft

Period: 8s

Wind max: 22 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Wednesday, Jun 3	7 AM–8 AM	4.3	8.2 ft	9s	28 mph	63–68°F
Thursday, Jun 4	4 PM–5 PM	6.1	5.7 ft	8s	16 mph	68–69°F
Friday, Jun 5	9 AM–10 AM	9.3	4.1 ft	7s	13 mph	67–71°F
Saturday, Jun 6	6 AM–7 AM	8.0	3.6 ft	8s	18 mph	71–73°F
Sunday, Jun 7	6 AM–7 AM	6.3	3.3 ft	8s	22 mph	71–73°F

Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes

Not beginner-friendly today

Beginner basics

Where to go

OBX is a powerful, exposed beach break — there isn't a true 'easy' zone. On a small day pick a beach access well away from any pier or inlet, with lifeguards visible.

What to avoid

Avoid Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the piers (Avalon, Jennette's, Rodanthe) and any inlet (Oregon, Hatteras). Skip it entirely on hurricane swell — that's expert-only territory.

Best beginner conditions

Wait for a knee-to-waist E swell on a 9-11s period with a light SW or W wind at mid tide. Outside hurricane season, summer mornings can be small and friendly.

New to surfing? Read the beginner guide →

Wetsuit

Summer setup

Season-based baseline. Water temp varies week to week.

Full guide

Boardshorts

Maybe a rashguard

2mm Top (windy mornings)

Optional comfort layer

Spot notes

How this break works