Sunset Beach, NC water temperature by month

Swimmable from May through October.

Month by month

Month Typical Feels
January 51° brisk
February 53° brisk
March 59° brisk
April 66° refreshing
May 74° perfect
June 79° perfect
July 85° bath-warm
August 84° bath-warm
September 79° perfect
October 72° perfect
November 64° brisk
December 56° brisk

The year at a glance

swimmable 40° 50° 60° 70° 80° 90° 85° 51° JFMAMJJASOND January: typically 51° — brisk February: typically 53° — brisk March: typically 59° — brisk April: typically 66° — refreshing May: typically 74° — perfect June: typically 79° — perfect July: typically 85° — bath-warm August: typically 84° — bath-warm September: typically 79° — perfect October: typically 72° — perfect November: typically 64° — brisk December: typically 56° — brisk

The water right now

Typically about 72° in October — perfect.

from a nearshore buoy off Sunset Beach, about 3 miles away

perfect

bath-warm 80° and up perfect 72–79° refreshing 65–71° brisk below 65° 72° typical for October

About this reading

The reading comes from a nearshore buoy off Sunset Beach, just off the coast.

Reading from a nearshore buoy off Sunset Beach, about 3 miles away.

Warm water says nothing about surf, rip currents, or bacteria — check local lifeguard flags and advisories.