🇺🇸 OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA
Cape Hatteras
The Graveyard of the Atlantic delivers world-class sandbars and hurricane swells
SMALL
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
4ft waves — but short 7s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — but swell direction is marginal for this spot — 13mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot
HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation
Why it's SMALL
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 152° — wrong angle. This spot needs 90° swells to break properly.
Swell Period
6s — this is wind chop, not groundswell. Waves will be weak and disorganized.
Wind
13mph onshore — will chop up the surface and ruin wave shape
Tide
Falling tide — workable window
Season
May is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves
Data Confidence
Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation
At the Break
4.3ft
HIGH CONFIDENCE
Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation
Period
6s
✗ Wind swell
Wind
13mph
S
ONSHORE
Water
66°F
Spring suit
Live Buoy 44095
4.9ft
6s
38 min ago
Tide
MID-TIDE · FALLING
0.55ft
Next low: in 3 hr 31 min
Swell Direction
35%
Wind Direction
20%
Primary Swell
3.3ft @ 4.9s
SSE 158°
Secondary Swell
2.0ft @ 7.3s
ENE 66°
10 Day Outlook
5.2ft
TODAY
May 24
(9s)
4.9ft
TMRW
May 25
(9s)
4.9ft
TUE
May 26
(6s)
4.5ft
WED
May 27
(7s)
4.0ft
THU
May 28
(8s)
3.6ft
FRI
May 29
(8s)
5.4ft
SAT
May 30
(7s)
6.6ft
SUN
May 31
(7s)
7.0ft
MON
Jun 1
(8s)
5.4ft
TUE
Jun 2
(9s)
Best this week: today — 5.2ft
Best next week: MON Jun 1 — 7.0ft
Incoming Swell Events
Today
moderate
Swell building to 5.2ft @ 9s
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)4.2ft
ICON (35%)4.1ft
GFS (20%)5.0ft
Model confidence80%
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: May
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
01
Cape Point requires a 4WD vehicle with beach driving permit — air tires down to 15-20 PSI.
02
Sandbars shift constantly after big swells — be prepared to move around to find the best banks.
03
Peak hurricane season August-October brings the biggest swells — weekdays are much less crowded.
04
Water temps range from 50s in winter to 80s in summer — 3/2mm wetsuit in fall and spring.
05
Respect the locals who surf here year-round — follow lineup etiquette and be friendly.
Best Window
Day 9 · Jun 1
7.0ft @ 8s
GOOD
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$250
Hotel per night~$120
Weekend est.~$610
5 day est.~$850
Week est.~$1090