🇺🇸 OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA

Cape Hatteras

The Graveyard of the Atlantic delivers world-class sandbars and hurricane swells

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Massive 14ft swell — serious conditions for experienced surfers only — but short 8s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 10mph onshore wind roughing up the surface

HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 51° — close to but not perfectly aligned with ideal 90°. Spot will work but not at its best.

Swell Period

13s — strong, long-period groundswell. Maximum wave power and quality.

Wind

10mph onshore — will chop up the surface and ruin wave shape

Tide

High tide — some spots get mushy at peak high

Season

October is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation

At the Break

14.2ft

HIGH CONFIDENCE

Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Period

13s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

10mph

ONSHORE

Water

65°F

3/2 wetsuit

Live Buoy 44095

9.2ft

13s

64 min ago

Tide

HIGH TIDE

2.0ft

Next low: in 6 hr 37 min

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

20%

Primary Swell

5.2ft @ 6.8s

E 100°

Secondary Swell

2.8ft @ 11.8s

ENE 71°

10 Day Outlook

7.1ft

TODAY

Oct 26

(9s)

6.6ft

TMRW

Oct 27

(11s)

4.8ft

WED

Oct 28

(11s)

4.7ft

THU

Oct 29

(9s)

4.5ft

FRI

Oct 30

(8s)

3.8ft

SAT

Oct 31

(7s)

3.9ft

SUN

Nov 1

(8s)

4.5ft

MON

Nov 2

(8s)

7.2ft

TUE

Nov 3

(8s)

5.9ft

WED

Nov 4

(8s)

Best this week: today — 7.1ft

Best next week: TUE Nov 3 — 7.2ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

solid

Swell building to 7.1ft @ 9s

Day 9

solid

Swell building to 7.2ft @ 8s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)7.0ft

ICON (35%)7.2ft

GFS (20%)6.9ft

Model confidence95%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Cape Hatteras is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing, jutting 30 miles into the Atlantic where warm Gulf Stream waters meet cold Labrador currents. This exposed barrier island catches more swell than anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard, producing powerful beach breaks and legendary waves around the lighthouse.

The Break

The Lighthouse area near Cape Point — shifting sandbars create powerful A-frame peaks. Paddle through the channel, position on the peak, and expect steep drops into barreling sections.

Ideal Conditions

Hurricane or nor'easter groundswell 4-8ft, light offshore winds, hollow sandbars

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Oct

Trip Planner

Hurricane Swell Weekend

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into Norfolk (ORF), 2hr drive to Buxton. Scout conditions at the Lighthouse. Evening session at S-Turns if swell is building. Fresh seafood at Diamond Shoals Restaurant.

Saturday

Dawn patrol at the Lighthouse for morning offshore winds. Breakfast at Orange Blossom Bakery. Rest midday, check Frisco Pier or Old Lighthouse Beach. Late afternoon session at whatever is firing.

Sunday

Early session at Cape Point if conditions hold. Explore Rodanthe Pier for variety. Pack up noon, final lunch at Rusty's Surf and Turf, drive back to Norfolk.

Ultimate Outer Banks Surf Safari

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive Norfolk, drive to Nags Head. Afternoon session at Jennette's Pier. Dinner at Sam and Omie's.

Day 2

Morning surf Nags Head dunes, drive south to Pea Island, surf Rodanthe Pier area.

Day 3

Dawn session at S-Turns in Salvo. Drive to Buxton, surf the Lighthouse all afternoon.

Day 4

Full day Cape Point — arrive early for parking. Multiple sessions as sandbars shift. Bring lunch.

Day 5

Explore Hatteras Village south-facing beaches. Visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.

Day 6

Ferry to Ocracoke Island. Surf uncrowded beach breaks. Return on evening ferry.

Day 7

Final dawn patrol at the Lighthouse. Drive north checking Avon Pier, Salvo, Rodanthe. Fly home from Norfolk.

Local Knowledge

Cape Point requires a 4WD vehicle with beach driving permit — air tires down to 15-20 PSI.

Sandbars shift constantly after big swells — be prepared to move around to find the best banks.

Peak hurricane season August-October brings the biggest swells — weekdays are much less crowded.

Water temps range from 50s in winter to 80s in summer — 3/2mm wetsuit in fall and spring.

Respect the locals who surf here year-round — follow lineup etiquette and be friendly.