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.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 9mph SE winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with moderate NW wind around 12mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 17mph.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on E swell at 11s and 13mph NNE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on E swell at 8s with light SSW winds. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 24mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 7s with 11mph from the WSW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 2-3ft with a 6.55s swell period. Wind is SE at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Kitty Hawk is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.2ft E primary swell at 8s, a 0.4ft E secondary swell at 13s, a 1.8ft ESE 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 Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.55s 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.
