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.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 6s and light S winds.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly very poor with 7mph WSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 4-5ft and poor conditions with 21mph out of the NE.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 7s and light winds out of the SSE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on S swell at 5s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 6.2s swell period. Wind is S at 6mph 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 2.3ft SE primary swell at 6s, a 0.5ft ESE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.5ft ESE tertiary swell at 11s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.4s 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.
