Monday, June 5, 2023
By Submitted Story on May 23, 2023
Lifeguards begin returning to Dare County beaches Memorial Day weekend. Lifeguards and important information that is posted on lifeguard stands along the Outer Banks provide beachgoers with valuable information about current beach conditions. Never swim alone. Check the NWS beach forecast before you head out at BEACH FORECAST and click the umbrella for your beach. For more information, visit Dare County Beach Hazards.
Lifeguard locations throughout Dare County and their times of operation for the 2023 season are listed below.
As residents and visitors head to the 110 miles of shoreline along Dare County’s Outer Banks, Emergency Management officials urge beachgoers to beware of potential hazards and safety concerns they may encounter when they arrive on the county’s beaches. To give beachgoers information on how to enjoy our beautiful ocean beaches safely, Dare County Emergency Management maintains a LOVE THE BEACH, RESPECT THE OCEAN website. Please visit the site for rip current forecasts and more local tips on how to make your beach visit safe and memorable.
DUCK
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 27, 2023 through September 4, 2023
Caffey’s Inlet
Sprigtail Drive
Barrier Island Station
Schooner Ridge Drive
Christopher Drive
Four Seasons Lane10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 17, 2023 through August 13, 2023
Ocean Pines Drive
Widgeon Drive
South Snow Geese Drive
Dune Road
Scarborough Lane
Plover Drive
Charles Jenkins Lane
CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day
Coquina Beach (across from the Bodie Island Lighthouse)
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach (adjacent to the Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site)
Frisco Beach (located just south of Frisco Village)
Ocracoke Beach (1.5 miles south of the National Park Service campground OR .5 mile north of Ocracoke Village)
KILL DEVIL HILLS
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day (with a roving patrol through October 15)
Helga Street
Hayman Boulevard
Eden Street
Avalon Drive
Fifth Street
Third Street
Second Street
First Street
Coral Drive
Asheville Drive
Woodmere Avenue
Carlow Avenue
Ocean Bay Boulevard
Oregon Avenue
Baum Street
Clark Street
Martin Street
Atlantic Street
Neptune Drive
Lake Drive
Eighth Street
KITTY HAWK
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day (plus a roving patrol)
Byrd Street
Eckner Street
Lillian Street
Kitty Hawk Bath House
NAGS HEAD
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day (with a roving patrol through October 15)
Albatross Street*
Abalone Street
Bonnett Street
Hollowell Street
Town Hall*
Enterprise Street
Epstein Street Bathhouse
Forrest Street
Gray Eagle Street*
Gulfstream Street
Hargrove Street
Ida Street*
Indigo Street
Juncos Street
Limulus Street*Stands with a * will not be staffed from May 30 – June 18.
SOUTHERN SHORES
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day
Hillcrest Drive
Chicahauk Trail(plus a roving patrol through October 31)
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mid-June through Mid-August
East Dogwood Trail
142 Ocean Boulevard
Please note, as staffing levels and conditions on the beach change, Outer Banks lifeguard stand locations may be shifted to roving patrol or closed. Please heed words of caution, advisories and/or the flying of red (no swimming) flags. These are issued for your safety.
To give beachgoers information on how to enjoy our beautiful ocean beaches safely, Dare County Emergency Management maintains a LOVE THE BEACH, RESPECT THE OCEAN website, here are a few of the tips to “know before you go. ” Please visit the site for more local tips on how to make your beach visit safe and memorable.
Weather forecasts can change rapidly. Check the forecast before you head to the beach. If thunder roars, head indoors. Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.
Rip currents, encounters with marine life, submerged objects, sand bar drop-offs, and jellyfish are just a few of the hazards found in near shore waters. Stay alert to your surroundings and keep an eye on family and friends. Don’t let alcohol impair your common sense. When visiting the beach with children, adults should take turns as the designated “water watcher” and keep an eye on children in the water at all times, avoiding all distractions including smartphones.
Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves. Watch this Video and to learn more about rip current safety visit www.lovethebeachrespecttheocean.com/beach-safety.
Do you or someone you’re traveling with have mobility issues? Cape Hatteras National Seashore and ocean rescue divisions along the Outer Banks offer beach wheelchairs to assist with doing what we all love – getting outside and enjoying the beach!
Duck: Call Duck Surf Rescue (252) 982-6747.
Kitty Hawk: Call Fire Department (252) 261-2666 for availability.
Kill Devil Hills: Call Ocean Rescue Headquarters at (252) 480-0080 for availability. Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue and the Town of KDH: We have beach wheelchairs for loan (free of charge!) at the Ocean Bay bathhouse, as well as a completely handicap accessible beach access from the parking lot to the beach. Wheelchairs are available for daily or multiple day use as supplies last. Contact our Ocean Rescue Division at 252-480-0080 or stop by and chat at the Ocean Bay Boulevard beach access building, which is located at 103 S. Virginia Dare Trail at approximately the 8.5 milepost.
Jockey’s Ridge: State Park (252) 441-7132 or visit the park office for availability.
Nags Head: Call Fire Department (252) 441-5909 or Ocean Rescue (252) 480-2555 for availability. Beach Wheelchairs are available all year long by reservation at the Nags Head’s Fire Station 16. Wheelchairs can also be rented from local equipment rental companies. Call Nags Head Fire and Rescue at 252-441-5909 more information. Please remember we do not deliver these chairs, so you need to be able to transport it, a truck is recommended, they will not fit in a car or small SUV.
Coquina Beach: Call Cape Hatteras National Seashore at (252) 473-2111 for availability. From Memorial Day – Labor Day, available at the beach.
Hatteras: Call Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Information at (252) 995-4474 for availability.
Ocracoke: National Seashore/Ocracoke Visitor Center (252) 928-4531.
Southern Shores: The Town of Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department has two specialty wheelchairs that work on the beach. They are free to rent for visitors and residents and the department will deliver to any location in Southern Shores. To rent a wheelchair, call 252.261.2272.
You may also inquire about beach wheelchairs at any visitor center if you’re traveling outside of the Memorial Day – Labor Day window. Please visit our website for other Accessibility options at https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
Ocean rescue personnel and lifeguards must be able to drive on the sand day and night to quickly provide emergency services to those in need. Large holes in the sand can be difficult to see and are dangerous obstacles. Sand collapses can occur in holes just a few feet deep. Children and adults should not dig holes deeper than their knees when standing in them. If you do dig, fill it in.
Sea turtle laying and hatching season is May thru September. Holes in the sand are obstructions for female sea turtles laying nests on the beach at night and hatchlings heading out to sea roughly 60 days later.
In an emergency, every second counts. The Dare County Sheriff’s 911 Communications staff may not be able to immediately identify your location from a cell phone. Pay attention to what street you access the beach or sound from and what milepost you are located near. If you are unable to provide an address or location of the emergency, response times can be hindered in life or death situations.
If red flags are flying, swimming is prohibited. For your safety and the safety of ocean rescue staff. Although flags may be posted on sunny warm days with blue skies, it means the water conditions are not safe to swim in.
Check the NWS beach forecast before you head out at BEACH FORECAST and click the umbrella for your beach.
For more information, visit Dare County Beach Hazards.
