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 Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle SW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on ESE swell at 8s with 8mph from the SW — nothing amazing but surfable. Afternoon breeze fills in 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. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on ESE swell at 9s with 8mph from the SSW.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with 10mph SW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
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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 1-2+ft with a 8.4s swell period. Wind is WSW at 5mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Buxton (North) is 1-2+ft, produced by a 2.4ft ESE primary swell at 8s, a 0.9ft 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 Wednesday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.95s 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.
