North Carolina
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Buxton (North), North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Steady 1-2ft waves on offer on SE swell at 8s — 8mph from the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and 11mph from the WSW.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on ESE swell at 9s — moderate SSW wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on ESE swell at 9s — 10mph SW winds.
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Buxton North is a sandy beach break on Hatteras Island near the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The northeast-facing exposure picks up NE and E swells particularly well during fall and winter months when nor'easters send consistent swell toward the Outer Banks. This stretch offers a more accessible alternative to the expert-level jetty breaks at the cape itself.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Buxton (North) is 2-3ft with a 8.5s swell period. Wind is W at 5mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Buxton (North) is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.9ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 1.4ft E secondary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Buxton (North) is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Buxton (North) works best with a NE swell and SW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Buxton (North). Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Buxton (North) is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Buxton North is a sandy beach break on Hatteras Island near the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The northeast-facing exposure picks up NE and E swells particularly well during fall and winter months when nor'easters send consistent swell toward the Outer Banks. This stretch offers a more accessible alternative to the expert-level jetty breaks at the cape itself.
The prime season at Buxton (North) is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Buxton (North) include strong currents, shallow sandbar hazards. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Buxton (North) forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
