Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
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Swl 3
0.3ft 4s.
0kJ
Swl 2
0.4ft 5s.
0kJ
Swl 1
1.1ft 8s.
7kJ
Wnd
7mph
7mph
Hourly Forecast
Timezone: America/New_York
⏱️s.
⚡️kJ
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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse surf guide

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a well-known surf spot located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The area is historical, marked by the iconic lighthouse, and offers several packed parking lots for easy access. It's a popular spot for surfers looking to take advantage of the varying conditions throughout the year, particularly during storm season when swells can be impressive. The vibe here is friendly, but respect among surfers is key, as the local community is tight-knit.

The surf here can be quite good, especially with solid south or southeast swells. When conditions are right, the Third groin can produce heavy right-breaking waves, while the First groin is known for its consistent and barreling lefts during northeast swells. Surfable wave heights typically range from head high (about 2 meters) to double overhead (up to 3 meters), making it suitable for surfers with varying skill levels from intermediate to expert. The best times to catch good waves are typically at low to mid-tide, with preferable wind coming from the northwest.

While the area can get crowded when the surf is firing, many surfers appreciate the natural beauty of the spot and the atmosphere it creates. Just remember that there are submerged pieces of the old jetties to watch out for, so stay aware while paddling out. This spot tends to handle wave sizes from around 6 ft (about 1.8 meters) to 8 ft (about 2.4 meters), and it breaks over sand and rock, providing a variety of wave types including beach and jetty breaks. Autumn is a particularly good season to visit, as tropical cyclones and nor’easters during late summer and fall can bring in some great swells.

Surf reports and surf forecasts nearby Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

S Turns
North Carolina, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Rodanthe Pier
North Carolina, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
K.O.A
North Carolina, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Ocracoke
North Carolina, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Waves and Salvo
North Carolina, United States
Beach break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Frisco
North Carolina, United States
Beach break, Pier break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Frisco Pier
North Carolina, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Avon Pier
North Carolina, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
North Carolina, United States
Beach break, Jetty break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
The Lighthouse
North Carolina, United States
Unknown break
Tue 29
Wed 30
Thu 31
Fri 1
Sat 2
Sun 3
Mon 4
Tue 5
Wed 6
Thu 7
Fri 8
Sat 9
Wind certainty

Wind certainty tells you how much the weather models agree on the forecast.

  • High certainty: Models agree closely; forecast is reliable.
  • Medium certainty: Some disagreement; conditions may shift slightly.
  • Low certainty: Models diverge; treat forecast with caution.

We calculate this by comparing wind speed, gust and direction from multiple models (like GFS, ECMWF, Arome, and Harmonie) and seeing how closely they match. They are weighted, meaning that some models count more than others, depending on how good they are for a certain spot.

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