Cape Hatteras Water Temperature

(Today) 2025

20.8°C / 69.5°F

The water will feel tepid. Swimming will be tolerable without a wetsuit, although it will take a little getting used to. If you intend to stay in the water for a while a 3/2mm wetsuit will be ideal.

*Live data from USCG Station Hatteras, NC: 20.9°C / 69.6°F

Current weather

20°C / 67°F
(clear sky)
Partly cloudy
Wind
11 mph
Humidity
78%

The measurements for the water temperature in Cape Hatteras, 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 Cape Hatteras water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data.

Cape Hatteras average maximum / minimum water temperatures
Maximum and minimum monthly sea temperatures in Cape Hatteras
  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 Cape Hatteras

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 Cape Hatteras

*These tide times are estimates based on the nearest accurate location (Cape Hatteras, 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.