Best Buxton surf window today: tide and conditions
Buxton's best surf window today is 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, with rising tide, 6 mph wind, and 1 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Lighthouse Third Groin is the top pick at 1.8 ft.
Live surf planning
Plan around the live conditions
Best time to surf Buxton this week
November rates 85/100 for Buxton. 3 of 3 local beaches are in peak season; October is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Now: falling tide, 5 mph wind, and 1.1 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.
Seasonal pattern in November
November
3 of 3 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-6 ft waves and 62°F water. Peak month: October.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Nor'easters, empty Outer Banks
February
Winter storms, sandbar formation
March
Transition swells
April
Spring cleanup days
May
Small but clean
June
Summer begins, tourist season
July
Warm water, occasional tropical swell
August
Hurricane swell season begins
September
PeakPeak hurricane swells
October
PeakFall swells, crowds thin out
November
PeakNor'easters + hurricane tail-ends
December
Winter storms setting in
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (50°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Buxton
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (80°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
