North Carolina • Outer BanksBuoy: 44014

Kill Devil Hills

Junky

Wave Height

1-2

ft

Swell

~4s

E

Wind

7mph

Onshore (NE)

Water

78°

Boardshorts

Rising• High in 1h 12m

Updated: 9/18/2026, 5:33:45 PM • Data: Open-Meteo

Accurate?

Surf Graph

Clean
Fair
Choppy
Flat

Tide Forecast

Today
H5:37am2.7ft
L11:44am1.2ft
H6:20pm3.4ft
Tomorrow
L1:06am1.3ft
H6:52am2.7ft
L12:46pm1.3ft
H7:28pm3.4ft
Mon, Sep 21
L2:00am1.2ft
H8:02am2.8ft
L1:45pm1.2ft
H8:24pm3.5ft
Tue, Sep 22
L2:47am1.1ft

Recent History

No recent history available

About Kill Devil Hills

Kill Devil Hills sits in the heart of the Outer Banks, offering reliable beach break surf with historical significance—the Wright Brothers flew nearby. The sandbars are consistent and the beach handles a wide range of swell. It's a popular stretch with plenty of access points, so crowds spread out. Hurricane swells can turn this area into one of the best waves on the East Coast.

FAQ

What is the water temperature at Kill Devil Hills?

The current water temperature at Kill Devil Hills is 78°F. Boardshorts or a rashguard should be comfortable.

What is the surf like at Kill Devil Hills today?

Kill Devil Hills currently has waves around 1-2ft. Conditions change throughout the day, so check back for updated forecasts.

What time is high tide at Kill Devil Hills?

Today's high tide at Kill Devil Hills is at 1:37 AM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What time is low tide at Kill Devil Hills?

Today's low tide at Kill Devil Hills is at 8:03 PM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What are the best conditions for surfing Kill Devil Hills?

Kill Devil Hills works best with swells from the E, ENE, NE and W, SW winds (offshore). The ideal tide is mid.

Is Kill Devil Hills good for beginners?

Kill Devil Hills is best suited for intermediate surfers who are comfortable paddling out and catching unbroken waves. Beginners may find it challenging on bigger days.

This Week's Outlook

Tuesday morning looks like your best bet with 3ft faces, longer 4 second periods, and manageable cross-shore winds before it gets messy. Wednesday morning could work too if you want cleaner smaller waves, but Tuesday's got more juice while the swell's still building.

Updated 9/14/2026, 6:10:26 PM

Spot Info

Break TypeBeach Break
BottomSand
Skill LevelIntermediate to Advanced
CrowdModerate
Best TideMid
Best SwellE, ENE, NE
Best WindW, SW
ParkingBeach access ramps and street parking

Local Tip

OBX is the East Coast swell magnet. Hurricane season is prime. Respect the power during big swells.