Outer Banks Water Temperature

(Today) 2025

18.3°C / 65°F

The water will feel medium. The water will feel a bit chilly in just bathers / swimming costume. If you plan on wearing a wetsuit 4/3mm should be thick enough.

*Live data from Oregon Inlet Marina, NC: 21.2°C / 70.2°F

Current weather

21°C / 69°F
(clear sky)
Partly cloudy
Wind
20 mph
Humidity
80%

The measurements for the water temperature in Outer Banks, North Carolina are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users.

*Live data may vary from satellite readings for a number of reasons. These include local factors, depth of smapling and time of day.

Water temp by month

Monthly average max / min water temperatures

The graph below shows the range of monthly Outer Banks water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data.

Outer Banks average maximum / minimum water temperatures
Maximum and minimum monthly sea temperatures in Outer Banks
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min °C 10 9.9 11 13 16 21.6 24.4 26.3 23.4 19.2 16.7 14.2
Max °C 15.8 13.8 15.6 19.7 24.4 27.5 28.3 28.9 27.9 26.5 20.2 18.8
Min °F 52.3 51.3 53.6 58 64.2 73.2 77.4 80.4 75.9 69.4 63.4 59.4
Max °F 58.1 55.2 58.2 64.7 72.6 79.1 81.3 83 80.4 76.7 66.9 64

The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 81.7°F / 27.6°C. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 53.2°F / 11.8°C.

7 day tide forecast for Outer Banks

WedThuFriSatSunMonTue
  • High 12:19am
    (0.35m)
  • Low 7:12am
    (0.01m)
  • High 12:39pm
    (0.23m)
  • Low 6:36pm
    (0.01m)
  • High 1:11am
    (0.34m)
  • Low 8:11am
    (0.02m)
  • High 1:35pm
    (0.21m)
  • Low 7:33pm
    (0.02m)
  • High 2:05am
    (0.32m)
  • Low 9:10am
    (0.02m)
  • High 2:39pm
    (0.2m)
  • Low 8:34pm
    (0.03m)
  • High 3:02am
    (0.29m)
  • Low 10:09am
    (0.02m)
  • High 3:53pm
    (0.19m)
  • Low 9:40pm
    (0.05m)
  • High 4:01am
    (0.27m)
  • Low 11:06am
    (0.02m)
  • High 5:11pm
    (0.19m)
  • Low 10:50pm
    (0.05m)
  • High 5:02am
    (0.25m)
  • Low 11:58am
    (0.01m)
  • High 6:19pm
    (0.2m)
  • Low 11:59pm
    (0.06m)
  • High 6:02am
    (0.23m)
  • Low 12:45pm
    (0.01m)
  • High 7:15pm
    (0.22m)
7 day tide times for Outer Banks

*These tide times are estimates based on the nearest accurate location (Rodanthe, Pamlico Sound, North Carolina) and may differ by up to half an hour depending on distance. Please note, the tide times given are not suitable for navigational purposes.