Emerald Isle Beach Water Temperature
Sea-surface temperature at Emerald Isle Beach, North Carolina · times in EDT
Updated 7:03 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Aug 28 | 85° / 76° | 3 | 44% |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 81° / 74° | 4 | 32% |
| Sun, Aug 30 | 88° / 74° | 7 | 16% |
| Mon, Aug 31 | 90° / 76° | 7 | 13% |
| Tue, Sep 1 | 92° / 77° | 8 | 6% |
| Wed, Sep 2 | 91° / 78° | 7 | 5% |
| Thu, Sep 3 | 93° / 78° | 7 | 18% |
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 83°F, the water at Emerald Isle Beach is warm — great for swimming. 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 1° below the August average of 84°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 83°F. That is 1° below the August average of 84°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.