Best Kill Devil Hills surf window today: tide and conditions

Kill Devil Hills's best surf window today is 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, with rising tide, 6 mph wind, and 0.8 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. 3rd Street is the top pick at 1.5 ft.

Live surf planning

Plan around the live conditions

Best time to surf Kill Devil Hills this week

November rates 83/100 for Kill Devil Hills. 4 of 4 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, 3 mph wind, and 1.1 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.

Check today's 3rd Street surf report
83
GOOD

Seasonal pattern in November

November

4 of 4 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-6 ft waves and 62°F water. Peak month: October.

Next steps

Turn Kill Devil Hills's season guide into today's surf call

The calendar shows when this zone usually works. Start with the live report before you load boards.

Surf Score by Month

Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.

Monthly Breakdown

January

66
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp50°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

Nor'easters, empty Outer Banks

February

71
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp48°F
Wetsuit4/3mm + boots
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking4

Winter storms, sandbar formation

March

67
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp52°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking4

Transition swells

April

49
Waves2-3 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking2

Spring cleanup days

May

31
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp68°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0

Small but clean

June

29
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp75°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Summer begins, tourist season

July

39
Waves1-3 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0

Warm water, occasional tropical swell

August

67
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp80°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking4

Hurricane swell season begins

September

Peak
91
Waves3-8 ft
Water temp78°F
Wetsuitboardshorts
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking4

Peak hurricane swells

October

Peak
92
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp72°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking4

Fall swells, crowds thin out

November

Peak
83
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp62°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking4

Nor'easters + hurricane tail-ends

December

68
Waves3-5 ft
Water temp55°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking2

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 Kill Devil Hills

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

Top Surf Spots in Kill Devil Hills

3rd Street
intermediatemoderate

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Avalon Pier
advancedvery crowded

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar, Apr

Bath House
intermediatemoderate

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Kill Devil Hills
lower-intermediatecrowded

Peak: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar, Apr

Surf Guides for Kill Devil Hills, NC