Always use caution before entering the ocean. Be alert for Red Warning flags and Red & White Warning Posters. If the red flags are flying ... it means swimming is prohibited ... please pay attention to them. Although the flags may fly when the weather seems fine, it's hard to judge if the water is safe. Ocean swimming is not like swimming in a lake or pool, as strong littoral currents, rip currents, tidal currents near inlets and shifting sand can make swimming dangerous. Please read the swimming safety tips at lifeguard locations.
Lifeguards are on the beach from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Hours of operation vary. Most beach areas have roving lifeguards and supervisors. Hours and locations are subject to change without notice. Listed below are public beach accesses.
Parking
Hawks Street (PP,NL)
Wilkins Street (PP,NL)
Bleriot Street (PP,NL)
Bennett Street (PP,NL)
Maynard Street (PP,NL)
Fonck Street (PP,NL)
Kitty Hawk Bath House-near KH Rd. (BH,H,S,PP)
Byrd Street (BH,S,PP)
Balchen Street (PP)(NL)
No Parking
Eckner Street (W)
Nags Head - 10a.m.-6p.m.
Albatross Street
Eighth Street
Epstein Street (BH)
Hargrove Street (BH,H)
Forrest Street
Gallery Row Street (NL)
Grouse Street (NL)
Abalone Street (NL)
Gliden Street (NL)
Admiral Street (NL)
Gull Street (NL)
Baltic Street (NL)
Gray Eagle Street
Barnes Street (NL)
Gulfstream Street (H,NL)
Blackman Street (NL)
Governor Street (NL)
Bonnet Street (BH,H)
Huron Street (NL)
Bittern Street (NL)
Holden Street (NL)
Bladen Street (NL)
Enterprise Street
Bainbridge Street (NL)
Ida Street (NL)
Curlew Street (NL)
Isabella Street (NL)
Hollowell Street (NL)
Islington Street (NL)
Conch Street (NL)
Indigo Street (NL)
Jay Street (NL)
Small Street (NL)
June Street (NL)
James Street (NL)
Loggerhead Street (NL)
Jacob Street (NL)
Town Hall Street (NL)
Juncos Street
Coquina Beach (BH,H,S,W,PP)
Kill Devil Hills
Arch Street (NL)
Helga Street
Chowan Street (NL)
Hayman Boulevard (PP,H)
Walker Street (NL)
Eden Street(NL)
5th Street (PP)
4th Street (W)
3rd Street (NL)
2nd Street (PP,W)
1st Street (PP,W)
Asheville Drive (PP,W,S,H)
Prospect Avenue (PP,W,H,S)
Glenmere Avenue (PP,NL)
Woodmere Avenue (S,PP,W,H)
Ferris Avenue (S,PP,W,H,NL)
Raleigh Avenue (NL)
Carlow Avenue (PP,W,H,S)
Sutton Avenue (PP,W,H,NL)
Pinehurst Avenue
Ocean Bay Blvd. (BH,H,PP,W)
Carlton Avenue (NL)
Oregon Avenue (PP)
Clark Street (PP, H, W)
Calvin Street (W)
Martin Street (PP,W,H)
Atlantic Street (S,PP,W)
Ocean Acres Beach Access
Lake Drive (PP,W,H)
Hatteras Island
Public beach accesses are located throughout the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (PP,NL)
South of Avon/Soundside-NC Hawy 12 (H,S,PP,NL)
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse-Buxton (H,PP)
South of Frisco-NC Hwy 12 (BH)
Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke Beach-NC Hwy 12 (H,W,PP)
Currituck County
Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30am until 5:30pm daily. Roving Patrols (4wd trucks and ATV's) travel from the county line, north to Penny's Hill for your assistance.
Fixed lifeguard stands are located at:
Villages at Ocean Hill, Corolla Village Road, Shad Street, Bonito Street, and Sailfish Street (Whalehead Beach), Section P, Section F, and Section D (Ocean Sands), and the Currituck County Public Beach Access (Pine Island)
We strongly urge you not to enter the water after the lifeguards go off duty. NEVER swim after dark.
Emergency Medical Facilities
The Outer Banks Hospital - Nags Head
(252) 449-4500
Open Daily, 24-hour Emergency Care
Beach Medical Care - Kitty Hawk
(252) 261-4187
9a.m.-9p.m. Urgent Care
HealthEast Family Care - Avon
(252) 995-3073
8:30a.m.-5:00p.m., Mon-Fri
On-Call 24-hour Emergency Care
HealthEast Family Care - Hatteras Village
(252) 986-2756
8:30a.m.-5:00p.m., Mon-Fri
On-Call 24-hour Emergency Care
DIAL 911 in Case of Emergency FIRE * POLICE * RESCUE * SHERIFF
for non-emergencies, please refer to local telephone book
Handicapped Beach Accessibility
Now everyone can enjoy beaches and fishing that have made The Outer Banks of North Carolina a world-famous destination. Here is a listing of organizations that provide adaptive equipment for beach access and fishing.
Beach Wheelchair Locations
Corolla
Fire Department, (252) 453-3242
Kitty Hawk
Fire Department, (252) 261-2666
Kill Devil Hills
Fire Department, (252) 480-4060
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Fire Department, (252) 441-7132
Nags Head
Fire Department, (252) 441-5909
Coquina Beach
Bodie Island Lighthouse Visitor Center
(252) 441-5711
Buxton, Hatteras Island
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Information
(252) 995-4474
Ocracoke National Seashore
Ocracoke Visitor Center
(252) 928-4531
Adapted Fishing Equipment Locations
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Fish with a Ranger Program
(252) 473-2111
Sun Safety
Bright, sunny days are a big part of what makes summer so special, but if you aren't careful the summer can be too much of a good thing. The following tips can help you avoid heat-related illnesses.
Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of water when outdoors.
Be watchful of children and older adults, their bodies don't regulate their temperatures efficiently.