What's the best tide for surfing in Kill Devil Hills?

Tide preferences vary by spot in Kill Devil Hills. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.

How do tides affect surfing conditions in Kill Devil Hills?

Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Kill Devil Hills. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.

Where can I check tide charts for Kill Devil Hills?

You can check tide charts for Kill Devil Hills on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.

Tide conditions for Kill Devil Hills surf spots

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Updated February 10, 2026 at 7:23 PM · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Kill Devil Hills. These 2 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

1.0ft

Rising

Next High

08:00 AM

2.5 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

7-day tide schedule showing high and low tides
Day	High 1	Low 1	High 2	Low 2
Today	--	8:00 PM(1.6 ft)	--	--
Tomorrow	12:00 AM(2.5 ft)	6:00 AM(0.8 ft)	12:00 PM(1.9 ft)	6:00 PM(0.7 ft)
Thu, Feb 12	1:00 AM(2.6 ft)	7:00 AM(0.7 ft)	1:00 PM(2.0 ft)	7:00 PM(0.6 ft)
Fri, Feb 13	1:00 AM(2.8 ft)	8:00 AM(0.6 ft)	2:00 PM(2.0 ft)	7:00 PM(0.4 ft)
Sat, Feb 14	2:00 AM(3.0 ft)	9:00 AM(0.4 ft)	2:00 PM(2.2 ft)	8:00 PM(0.1 ft)
Sun, Feb 15	3:00 AM(3.2 ft)	9:00 AM(0.1 ft)	3:00 PM(2.5 ft)	9:00 PM(-0.2 ft)
Mon, Feb 16	4:00 AM(3.1 ft)	10:00 AM(-0.2 ft)	4:00 PM(2.7 ft)	10:00 PM(-0.3 ft)

Today

8:00 PM (1.6 ft)

Tomorrow

12:00 AM (2.5 ft)

12:00 PM (1.9 ft)

6:00 AM (0.8 ft)

6:00 PM (0.7 ft)

Thu, Feb 12

1:00 AM (2.6 ft)

1:00 PM (2.0 ft)

7:00 AM (0.7 ft)

7:00 PM (0.6 ft)

Fri, Feb 13

1:00 AM (2.8 ft)

2:00 PM (2.0 ft)

8:00 AM (0.6 ft)

7:00 PM (0.4 ft)

Sat, Feb 14

2:00 AM (3.0 ft)

2:00 PM (2.2 ft)

9:00 AM (0.4 ft)

8:00 PM (0.1 ft)

Sun, Feb 15

3:00 AM (3.2 ft)

3:00 PM (2.5 ft)

9:00 AM (0.1 ft)

9:00 PM (-0.2 ft)

Mon, Feb 16

4:00 AM (3.1 ft)

4:00 PM (2.7 ft)

10:00 AM (-0.2 ft)

10:00 PM (-0.3 ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

Avalon Pier

advanced

0.5–4.5 ftrising

Kill Devil Hills

lower-intermediate

0.5–4.0 ftfalling

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

Featured Beaches

2 spots

Avalon Pier

Advanced

Avalon Pier is an iconic Outer Banks surf spot in the heart of Kill Devil Hills. The sand near the pier produces powerful, hollow peaks on both sides, drawing some of the region's best surfers. The crowd and localism can be intense, so this wave is for advanced riders who know pier etiquette.

Kill Devil Hills

Intermediate

Kill Devil Hills features multiple sandbar peaks along a gently sloping beach. The waves are generally softer than Hatteras, making it a great training ground for lower‑intermediate surfers. Swells from NE to SE light up the peaks, and winter nor'easters can produce overhead surf.

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Featured Beaches(2)

Avalon Pier

Advanced

Kill Devil Hills

Intermediate

What to focus on today

Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

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