North Carolina
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Fair - Good. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on ENE swell at 10s and glassy conditions. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 8s with 10mph from the SW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 7s and 10mph SW winds. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 19mph and poor by then.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 9s and 10mph from the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 19mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with moderate SW wind around 10mph. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and poor by then.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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 3-4ft with a 8.9s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Kitty Hawk is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.8ft ENE primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.5ft N tertiary swell at 4s, a 0.9ft S wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
