Updated: July 17, 2026 at 04:30 AM ET
Friday is shaping up to be a scorcher with mirror-calm water and a high tide window at 10:25 AM perfect for a morning swim.
New Hanover
County
Wrightsville Beach · Carolina Beach · Kure Beach
The afternoon low tide hits at 4:29 PM, so plan your shelling window late in the day when temperatures are at their peak and the heat advisory is still in effect.
Pender County
Surf City · Topsail Beach
A moderate south-to-north longshore current is running, so wade carefully and keep an eye on your drift if you're planning to spend hours in the water during that 10:25 AM high tide window.
Brunswick County
Oak Island · Holden Beach · Ocean Isle Beach · Sunset Beach
The UV index is very high all day, so reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard are non-negotiable if you want to avoid a burn that turns Friday into a painful souvenir.
Best Beach Bet for Friday
Ocean Isle Beach (Brunswick County)
Water temps are in the mid 80s with 1 to 3-foot waves and the gentlest southwest breeze of the three counties, giving you the smoothest entry and warmest swim of the day.
Oak Island
🌊 Tides & Daylight
📅 3 Day Beach Forecast
Fri, Jul 17
☀️Sunny
High 90°F · Low 82°F
SW 5 to 16 mph · Waves 1 foot · Rip risk Low (New Hanover)
Sat, Jul 18
☀️Sunny
High 86°F · Low 83°F
SW 9 to 21 mph · Waves 1 foot · Rip risk Low (New Hanover)
Sun, Jul 19
⛈️Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
High 87°F · Low 80°F
SW 15 to 22 mph · Monitor rip outlook
Today’s Surf Details
- Surf Height: 1 foot
- Wind: Southwest winds around 5 mph, increasing to south around 15 mph in the afternoon
- Water Temp: In the lower 80s
- UV Index: Very High
- Longshore Current: Moderate south to north longshore current
- Thunderstorm Risk: None
- Waterspout Risk: Low
- Remarks: Moderate south to north longshore current
Saturday’s Surf Details
- Surf Height: 1 foot
- Wind: Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph
- Longshore Current: Moderate south to north longshore current
- Thunderstorm Risk: None
- Waterspout Risk: Low
- Remarks: Moderate south to north longshore current
For the Beach Explorers
🐚 Shelling & Golden Hour
Shell yeah! Friday is a great day to hunt shells along the entire southeastern NC coast. The southwest winds will push debris and shells toward the northern end of your beach, so position yourself accordingly and make your way toward higher ground as the afternoon breeze picks up. Low tide at 4:29 PM gives you a solid window to explore the flats, though you'll need to contend with the heat index climbing toward 103, so get out early or wait until late afternoon when the sun starts its descent. Overall shelling rating is good across the board, so grab your bucket and get moving before the heat becomes unbearable.
Shells to look for today
Best Shelling Hot Spots Near Wilmington
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — South of Wilmington, the rock jetty area is a local favorite for whole whelks, lettered olives, baby's ears, and the occasional heart urchin.
- Masonboro Island Reserve — This undeveloped barrier island (boat or kayak access only) is one of the best spots near Wilmington for large, unbroken whelks, moon snails, and the rare Scotch Bonnet.
- Figure Eight Island — A private, gated community just north of Wrightsville Beach reached only by guarded causeway (residents, guests, and renters only) — but the lightly-picked beaches are a shelling jackpot if you can get there.
- Wrightsville Beach (North End) — The far north end is known for keyhole sand dollars and pen shells, especially after fall and winter storms once the summer crowds thin out.
Tips for a Successful Shell Hunt
- Time it with low tide — go within an hour before or after low tide, when the most beach and sandbars are exposed.
- Chase the storms — the best shelling often follows a strong storm or nor’easter, when wave action churns up the seafloor and washes deeper-water shells onto the beach.
- Know the rules — at protected sites like Fort Fisher and Masonboro Island Reserve, it’s illegal to take live shells. Always check that a shell is empty before keeping it, and gently return any shell with an animal still inside.
Shell ID Guide — Common Shells of the NC Coast
- Lightning Whelk — A large spiral shell with brown “lightning bolt” streaks on younger shells. Fun fact: it’s one of the few shells that spiral to the left — hold it with the opening facing you and the coil winds counterclockwise.
- Scotch Bonnet — A rounded, helmet-shaped shell with rows of square tan spots on a cream background. Fun fact: it’s North Carolina’s official state shell, named for its resemblance to a Scottish tam o’shanter cap.
- Olive Shell — A small, glossy, cylinder-shaped shell, often tan, olive, or cream. Fun fact: the live animal plows just under the wet sand at the surf line, leaving a tiny trail — that’s often the easiest way to spot one.
- Knobbed Whelk — A large, heavy shell with a row of knobby bumps along its shoulder. Fun fact: it’s the largest whelk on the East Coast (up to 9 inches) and preys on clams by using the edge of its own shell to pry them open.
- Shark Eye (Atlantic Moon Snail) — A smooth, round, low-spired shell with a dark spiral “eye” pattern at its center. Fun fact: it lays eggs in papery, sand-covered rings called “sand collars” that often wash up looking like a strange piece of plastic.
- Keyhole Sand Dollar — A flat, round shell with five narrow slots, or “keyholes,” through the body. Fun fact: while alive it’s covered in tiny purple spines and feels fuzzy — the bright white sand dollars you find on the beach are the bleached skeleton.
- Coquina Clam — A tiny (under 1 inch) wedge-shaped clam in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and blue. Fun fact: watch the wet sand as waves recede — coquinas burrow back down within seconds, leaving little “V”-shaped wakes where they disappear.
Golden Hour — Perfect Light for Photography
Golden hour bathes the beach in warm, directional light — long shadows, amber water, and colors that no filter can replicate. Chase these windows today.
7-Day Golden Hour Outlook — Plan Ahead
🦈 Who's Out There?
OCEARCH-tagged animals + iNaturalist community sightings, all within ~125 miles of our coast in the last 30 days. Tag pings happen when an animal surfaces; community sightings are research-grade verified.
Recently Spotted
🐾 Paws on the Beach
Summer rules are in effect, most Southeastern NC beaches restrict dogs to early morning and evening hours. Leash and cleanup required everywhere.
Beach-by-beach dog rules ▼
New Hanover County
- ⚠️Wrightsville Beach
NOT allowed on beach April 1 – September 30. Allowed all day October 1 – March 31.
Leash required at all times. Must wear collar with current rabies tag and town license. Waste cleanup mandatory.
Source: townofwrightsvillebeach.com
- ✅Carolina Beach
Before 9 AM and after 5 PM (April 1 – September 30); all day October 1 – March 31.
Leash required at all times. Waste cleanup required.
Source: carolinabeach.gov
- ✅Kure Beach
Before 9 AM and after 5 PM (April 1 – September 30); all day October 1 – March 31.
Leash required (15-ft max). Waste cleanup required.
Source: townofkurebeach.org
Pender County
- ✅Surf City
Before 9 AM and after 6 PM (Memorial Day – Labor Day); all day rest of year.
Leash required. Waste bags required.
Source: surfcitync.gov
- ✅Topsail Beach
Allowed year-round. No time restrictions noted in current ordinance.
Leash required (20-ft max). Must clean up after pet.
Source: topsailbeachnc.gov
Brunswick County
- ✅Oak Island
Before 9 AM and after 6 PM (May – September); all day October – April.
Leash required. Proof of rabies vaccination required. Waste cleanup mandatory.
Source: townofoakisland.com
- ✅Holden Beach
Before 9 AM and after 6 PM (Memorial Day – Labor Day); all day rest of year.
Leash required. Violations result in fines.
Source: townofholdenbeachnc.gov
- ✅Ocean Isle Beach
Before 9 AM and after 6 PM (May – September); all day October – April.
Leash required. Clean up after your pet.
Source: oibgov.com
- ✅Sunset Beach
Before 9 AM and after 6 PM (May – September); all day rest of year.
Leash required. Waste pickup required.
Source: sunsetbeachnc.gov
Always verify current rules at each town's website before visiting — ordinances update seasonally.
📰 Beach News
Ocean Isle Beach sea turtle group pushes for turtle-friendly lighting legislation
Folly Beach Turtle Watch holds first public nest inventory; 116 loggerhead nests tallied
Red flags fly at Crystal Coast beaches this weekend as rip current danger rises
🔍 Beach Alerts & Advisories