Emerald Isle Beach Water Temperature
Sea-surface temperature at Emerald Isle Beach, North Carolina · times in EDT
Updated 4:00 AM EDT
How it compares today
Water temperature through the year
Monthly normals computed from 2023–2025 daily sea-surface temperature history.
Nearby water right now
7-day outlook
| Day | Air high / low | Max UV | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 | 76° / 61° | 6 | 1% |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 79° / 69° | 6 | 1% |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 85° / 69° | 6 | 1% |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 83° / 70° | 6 | 21% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 67° / 53° | 5 | 21% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 68° / 47° | 5 | 2% |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 71° / 54° | 3 | 2% |
Sea-surface temperature and wave data from the Open-Meteo marine model; weather from Open-Meteo.
Is Emerald Isle Beach warm enough to swim?
At 76°F, the water at Emerald Isle Beach is comfortable. Most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit above 72°F; below 62°F, cold-water shock becomes a real risk for unprotected swimmers.
That is 4° above the October average of 72°F here.
The water averages above 70°F in May, June, July, August, September and October — 6 months of the year — peaking around 85°F in July and dropping to about 52°F in January.
Frequently asked questions
How warm is the water at Emerald Isle Beach right now?
The sea-surface temperature is about 76°F. That is 4° above the October average of 72°F here.
When is the water warm enough to swim at Emerald Isle Beach?
The water averages above 70°F in May, June, July, August, September and October — 6 months of the year — peaking around 85°F in July and dropping to about 52°F in January.
What is the warmest the water gets at Emerald Isle Beach?
Around 85°F in July, based on 2023–2025 records. The coolest month is January at roughly 52°F.