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Beach Accesses & Lifeguards

Each town & community on the Outer Banks offers convenient beach accesses, parking and restrooms. Lifeguards are on the beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, for Outer Banks towns except for Duck, where lifeguards are on the beach from May 1 through October 31 (9:30AM -5:30PM). Most beach areas also have roving lifeguards and supervisors. Hours and locations are subject to change without notice. 

Make sure you read beach regulations displayed on signage posted at each access point to ensure your safety and the safety of other beachgoers, and to avoid possible fines imposed for not adhering to specific rules set by each town.

Corolla Beach Access:

Currituck County Southern Access (471 Ocean Trail): Lifeguard, Bath House, Paved Parking

Currituck Beach Lighthouse: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Bonito Street: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Perch Street: Paved Parking

Sailfish Street: Paved Parking

Shad Street: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Sturgeon Street: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Duck Beach Access:

Barrier Island: Lifeguard, Wood Walkway to Beach

Four Seasons: Lifeguard, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Plover Drive: Lifeguard

Schooner Ridge Dr: Lifeguard, Wood Walkway to Beach

Snow Geese: Lifeguard between N. Snow Geese and S. Snow Geese Drives

Sprigtail Drive: Lifeguard,Wood Walkway to Beach

Southern Shores Beach Access:

Chicahauk Beach: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Hillcrest Beach: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Kitty Hawk Beach Access:

Balchen St.- MP 3.5: Paved Parking

Bennett St.- MP 2 

Bleriot St.- MP 3

Byrd St.- MP 2: Lifeguard, Bath House, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Eckner St.- MP 2.5: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Fonck St.- MP 2

Hawks St.- MP 3

KH Bath House- MP 4: Lifeguard, Bath House, Handicap Parking, Shower, Paved Parking

Lillian St.- MP 4: Handicap, Shower, Paved Parking

Luke St.- MP 2.5: Paved Parking

Maynard St.- MP 2

Wilkins St.- MP 3 

Kill Devil Hills Beach Access:

First St- MP 7.5: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Second St- MP 7: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Third St- MP 7: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach

Fourth St- MP 6.5: Lifeguard, Wood Walkway to Beach

Fifth St- MP 6.5: Lifeguard, Paved Parking

Eighth St- MP 10: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Arch St- MP 5.5 

Asheville St- MP 8: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Paved Parking

Atlantic St- MP 9.5: Lifeguard, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Calvin St- MP 9 

Carlow Ave- MP 8: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Carlton Ave- MP 8.5 

Chowan St- MP 6 

Clark St- MP 9: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Eden St- MP 6 

Ferris Ave- MP 8: Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Glenmere Ave- MP 8: Paved Parking

Hayman Blvd- MP 6: Handicap Parking, Shower, Paved Parking

Helga St- MP 5.5: Lifeguard 

Lake Dr- MP 9.5: Lifeguard 

Martin St- MP 9: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Neptune Dr- MP 9.5: Lifeguard 

Ocean Bay Blvd- MP 8.5: Lifeguard, Bath House, Handicap Parking, Wooden Handicap Ramp, several position mats to accommodate wheelchairs, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Oregon Ave- MP 8.5: Lifeguard, Shower

Pinehurst Ave- MP 8 

Prospect Ave- MP 8: Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Raleigh Ave- MP 8: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Sutton Ave- MP 8: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Walker St- MP 6 

Woodmere Ave- MP 8: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Nags Head Beach Access:

Abalone St- MP 10.5: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Admiral St- MP 10.5: Paved Parking

Albatross St- MP 10: Lifeguard, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Bainbridge St- MP 11.5: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Baltic St- MP 11: Paved Parking

Barnes St- MP 11: Paved Parking

Bittern St- MP 11.5: Shower, Paved Parking

Blackman St- MP 11: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Bladen St- MP 11.5: Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Bonnett St- MP 11.5: Lifeguard, Bath House, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Conch St- MP 12.5: Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Coquina Beach- MP 26: Lifeguard, Bath House, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Curlew St- MP 12 

Eighth St- MP 10: Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Enterprise St- MP 14: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking

Epstein St- MP 15: Lifeguard, Bath House, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Forrest St- MP 15.5: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Gallery Row St- MP 10.5

Glidden St - MP 16: Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Governor St- MP 16.5: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Gray Eagle St- MP 16.5: Lifeguard, Shower, Paved Parking

Grouse St- MP 16 

Gulfstream St- MP 16.5: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Gull St- MP 16.5: Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Hargrove St- MP 17.5: Lifeguard, Bath House, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Holden St- MP 17: Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Hollowell St- MP 12: Lifeguard, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Huron St- MP 17: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Ida St- MP 18.5: Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

Indigo St- MP 18.5:  Handicap Parking, Wood Walkway to Beach

Isabella St- MP 18.5

Islington St- MP 18.5: Wood Walkway to Beach

Jacob St- MP 19

James St- MP 19

Jay St- MP 19

Juncos St- MP 19.5: Lifeguard, Handicap Parking, Shower, Wood Walkway to Beach, Paved Parking

June St- MP 19: Handicap Parking

Limulus Dr- MP 20: Wood Walkway to Beach

Loggerhead St- MP 14.5

Small St- MP 13 

Surfside Dr- MP 19.75: Wood Walkway to Beach

Town Hall St- MP 14.5

Pets on the Beach

Please pick up your pet's waste in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a trash can (some beach accesses provide pet waste bags).Please do not bury it in the sand!

View Pet Rules & Regulations

Outer Banks Leash Laws

Leash laws vary according to the town and the time of year you visit. Please direct questions to the local town hall for the most accurate information. Please have your dog's collar on at all times, and ensure that up to date vaccination and identification information is attached.

Towns

The Outer Banks is well-known for the miles and miles of pristine beaches and there’s nothing better than enjoying a day of sand and sun. Please help keep our beaches clean by removing your trash at the end of the day.

Town Contact Information and Notes:

Corolla
Town Hall 252-453-8555 www.co.currituck.nc.us
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round. All dogs must be kept on a leash while on the beach.

Duck
Town Hall 252-255-1234 www.townofduck.com
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round, unleashed, and must be tagged, collared and under the control of the owner at all times.

Southern Shores
Town Hall 252-261-2394 www.southernshores.org
Dogs must be leashed at all times when off the owners property. Dogs are allowed on the beach from May 15th - September 15th, 6pm - 9am. From September 16th - May 14th, dogs are allowed only on a leash.

Kitty Hawk
Town Hall 252-261-3552 www.townofkittyhawk.org
From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10am & 6pm dogs must be on a leash not to exceed six feet. At all other times during the year, dogs must be restrained on a leash retractable to 12 feet. Dogs may be taken off the leash only if they will not disturb other people on the beach. Unleashed dogs must be controlled by their owner/handler who must remain within 30 feet of the dog at all times. A leash must be present at all times.

Kill Devil Hills
Town Hall 252-449-5300 www.kdhnc.com
Between May 15th and September 15th, no dogs will be permitted on the public beach between the hours of 9am and 6pm (unless being used to aid a handicapped person). At all other times, dogs shall only be permitted on the public beaches when on a leash and under control of the handler.

Nags Head
Town Hall 252-441-5508 www.townofnagshead.net
Dogs are allowed on the beach at all times as long as they are leashed. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Unattended Beach Items

Unattended items such as canopies, chairs, umbrellas, nets, poles, grills, etc. should not be left on the beach overnight and should not obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement during the day. Most towns have ordinances stating that personal property left on the beach after sundown will be declared abandoned and removed.

Here's a great resource with additional information dedicated to Outer Banks beach accesses.

Beach Safety

The ocean is a fun place to swim and play, but you need to use caution to stay safe. Watch for red flags flying or red and white warning signs posted because of high winds and surf. Swimming is prohibited if these flags are flying. The ocean may not be safe even if the weather looks fine.  There may be strong rip currents, dangerous for even strong experienced swimmers.  Please be sure to read the swimming safety tips located at lifeguard stations. Lifeguards are on the beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, for Outer Banks towns except for Duck, where lifeguards are on the beach from May 1 through October 31. Most beach areas also have roving lifeguards and supervisors. Hours and locations are subject to change without notice. 

Rip Current Survival Video: