Is it safe to swim at Outer Banks?

Is it safe to swim at Outer Banks? Some areas of the Outer Banks have fixed lifeguard stands, while others only offer roving patrols. It is always safest to swim near a fixed lifeguard station - particularly if you have children. Lifeguards are generally on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend.

What time of year is best for Outer Banks?

The best time to visit the Outer Banks is between March and May or September and November, when lodging rates drop and crowds dissipate. Most mainland North Carolina residents and out-of-towners arrive during the summer months, when humidity is high and average temperatures consistently hit the upper 80s.

Why is the Outer Banks water so rough?

The moon's gravitational pull, the Earth's rotation, and temperature changes between the equator and the poles keeps these waters constantly churning. The area off the Outer Banks is especially turbulent because of how the Gulf Stream collides with colder waters flowing down from the Arctic.

Is it warm enough to swim in the Outer Banks?

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.

What are the clear blobs on the beach in Outer Banks?

The critters are called sea salp and they're coming ashore on the Outer Banks. Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue posted pictures on Facebook to help people understand what is happening on their beach. The salp exist because of phytoplankton blooms, which are their main food source, according to officials.

Why is there no swimming in the Outer Banks?

Rip Currents on the Outer Banks Seaward currents, also called rip currents or rip tides, are created by breaks in the sand bar off shore and are very dangerous. Rip currents are channels of water flowing away from the shore and will pull a swimmer out from shore.

What is the nicest part of the Outer Banks?

Where is the clearest ocean water in NC?

Set amongst North Carolina's exquisite Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle contains some of the state's clearest waters and whitest sand making for some seriously stunning sunsets. It's also near the famed “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” one of the country's largest wreck-diving sites.