North Carolina
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Kitty Hawk for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle SSE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with 11mph WSW winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph out of the WSW.
Kitty Hawk is a classic East Coast beach break on the Outer Banks, offering consistent sand-bottom peaks that work well for surfers of all levels. The east-facing beach picks up NE swells from nor'easters and E swells particularly well during autumn and winter when Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Kitty Hawk is 1-2ft with a 6.7s swell period. Wind is NE at 10mph 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 Kitty Hawk is 1-2ft, produced by a 3.4ft ENE wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Kitty Hawk is Tuesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 6.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Kitty Hawk works best with a E swell and W 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 Kitty Hawk. 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.
Kitty Hawk is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Kitty Hawk is a classic East Coast beach break on the Outer Banks, offering consistent sand-bottom peaks that work well for surfers of all levels. The east-facing beach picks up NE swells from nor'easters and E swells particularly well during autumn and winter when Atlantic storms generate quality groundswell.
The prime season at Kitty Hawk 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 Kitty Hawk include occasional strong currents, shallow sandbars, crowded during peak season, wind chop from onshore afternoon winds. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Kitty Hawk 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
