Coastal conditions
Inlet · North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Cape Hatteras south / inlet
Hatteras Inlet separates Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, linking Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic through shifting channels, shoals, and adjoining coastal water. Red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and southern flounder are the principal supported targets.
Coastal Flood Warning
Severity: Severe
Coastal Flood Warning issued October 20 at 3:23AM EDT until October 21 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 3:23 AM · Ends Oct 21, 2026, 8:00 PM
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
Wind Advisory
Severity: Moderate
Wind Advisory issued October 20 at 2:32AM EDT until October 21 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 2:32 AM · Ends Oct 21, 2026, 12:00 AM
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects.
Beach Hazards Statement
Severity: Moderate
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 20 at 3:23AM EDT until October 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 8:00 AM · Ends Oct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
High Surf Advisory
Severity: Minor
High Surf Advisory issued October 20 at 3:23AM EDT until October 22 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 3:23 AM · Ends Oct 22, 2026, 6:00 AM
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.
Poor
BetaConditions are poor. Review the details below before heading out.
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Do Not Go
Safety gate
An active coastal flood warning affects this destination.
See the active alert cards above for official details.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 7:37 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
Updated 8 min ago
Updated 8 min ago
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 7:37 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 7:37 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1581 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 7:42 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM Range 0.9 ft MLLW to 2.5 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1581 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 7:42 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM
North Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Ocracoke / Pamlico Sound village · Sound
Approximately 16.5 miles away
North Carolina · Hatteras / Diamond Shoals Gulf Stream approach · Offshore
Approximately 22.6 miles away
North Carolina · Mid-Atlantic / Northern Outer Banks · Inlet
Approximately 41.7 miles away
Falling
Next low tide
Oct 20, 2026, 11:38 AM
In 4 hr
0.6 ft MLLW
Previous
High · Oct 20, 2026, 4:46 AM · 0.8 ft MLLW
Following
High · Oct 20, 2026, 5:04 PM · 0.7 ft MLLW
Tide prediction proxy
Hatteras (ocean) · NOAA 8654467
This nearby station is used for tide timing. Predicted height does not represent exact water depth or exposed-flat conditions at this destination.
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Hatteras Inlet fishery
A Hatteras Village / Hatteras Inlet fishery. This covers the inlet and village public fishing access.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 23, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and southern flounder are representative Hatteras Inlet targets. Seasonal timing varies by species.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Red drum
PrimarySciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING AND FALL
May also be present outside this peak window.
They move through the inlet and the adjacent surf.
Spotted seatrout
PrimaryCynoscion nebulosus
No seasonal pulse known
Inlet and marsh-edge fishing.
Sheepshead
SecondaryArchosargus probatocephalus
No seasonal pulse known
Jetty rock and piling structure.
Southern flounder
SecondaryRegulations vary annuallyParalichthys lethostigma
Typical seasonal opportunity: FALL
Inlet sand and channel edges.
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Public access includes Hatteras village waterfront, ferry-area fishing where posted, and NPS/village beach access. Confirm NPS Cape Hatteras and village rules.
Inlet current and ocean swell. USCG Station Hatteras meteorology is nearby context.
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Inlet · North Carolina
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Tide predictions, water level, water temperature, wind
Tide prediction proxy
Coastal and marine hazard alerts
Planning limitation
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.