Outer Banks Rip Currents - Village Realty OBX

Rip currents are strong narrow currents moving away from shore. On the Outer Banks, they are generally caused by a break in the off-shore sandbar that runs along the entire shoreline. Water moving along the shore rushes out this opening, and can pull even the strongest swimmer away from the beach in a matter of minutes.

If you are caught in a rip current, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Don’t fight the current by trying to swim straight back toward shore. Instead, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the rip, then swim diagonally to shore so you don’t get caught up again. If you can’t swim out of the rip, float or tread water to save energy until the rip current dissapates in the deeper water. Call or wave for help from a lifeguard or bystander.

If you see someone caught in a rip current, find a lifeguard right away. If there is no lifeguard available, call 911 and look for the nearest beach access or house number to tell the dispatcher your location. Do not try to swim out to them unless you are trained in ocean rescue.

To avoid getting caught in a rip current, first learn to spot one. Rip currents are characterized by a change in water color in a narrow band perpendicular to shore: either murkier from sediments or darker from greater depth. Other telltale signs are a break in the white line of crashing waves, or an object moving steadily out to sea.

Lifeguards may mark rip currents with yellow flags in some locations. If red flags are flying, that means NO SWIMMING even if you see surfers or other swimmers in the ocean. Surfers who enter the water must be leashed to a fiberglass board at least 5 feet long with a fin. Most rental surfboards are not fiberglass and so do not meet these criteria.

All swimmers should know their limitations and abilities. The ocean is much different than a pool. Always swim with a buddy, and make sure someone on shore is watching you as well. If you are not a strong swimmer, don’t go in the ocean!

It is always safest to swim in front of a lifeguard. All of the towns from Corolla to Nags Head staff lifeguard stands and roving patrols in-season.

Corolla Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands are manned 7 days a week in season, 9:30am to 5:30pm

  • Ocean Hill, Headwind Way
  • Light House, Franklyn Street
  • Shad, Austin Street
  • Sturgeon Street
  • Herring Street
  • Bonito Street
  • Sailfish Street
  • Buck Island
  • Section P, Driftwood Way
  • Section O, Sea Bird Way
  • Section F, Sand Fiddler
  • Section D, Marlin Way
  • Section B, Sand Hill
  • Bathhouse, Old Stoney Road
  • Pine Island, Audobon Drive

Additional Stands manned from the last Sunday in June to 1st Sunday in Aug

  • Bismark Drive
  • Crown Point Circle

Duck Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands manned from May 26 through September 4:

  • Caffey’s Inlet
  • Barrier Island Station
  • Schooner Ridge Drive
  • Four Seasons Drive

Stands manned from June 23 through August 17:

  • Scarborough Lane
  • Plover Drive

Roving ATV Patrols in season

Southern Shores Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands manned Memorial Day – Labor Day:

  • Hillcrest
  • Chicahauk

Stands manned approximately June 21- August 9

  • East Dogwood
  • 144 Ocean Blvd

Roving ATV Patrols May 1-October 15th

Kitty Hawk Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands open from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, 10am to 6pm.

  • Byrd Street
  • Eckner Street
  • Kitty Hawk Bathhouse (300 yards south of Kitty Hawk Road)

Roving ATV Patrols from Labor Day until September 30, 10am to 5pm

Kill Devil Hills Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10am to 5:30pm.

  • Helga Street
  • Hayman Boulevard
  • Fifth Street
  • Third Street
  • Second Street
  • First Street
  • Asheville Street
  • Woodmere Avenue
  • Carlow Avenue
  • Ocean Bay Boulevard
  • Oregon Avenue
  • Baum Street
  • Clark Street
  • Calvin Street
  • Martin Street
  • Atlantic Street
  • Neptune Drive
  • Lake Drive
  • Eighth St.

Roving ATV Patrols in season

Nags Head Beaches with Lifeguard

Stands open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10am to 6pm.

  • Albatross Street
  • Bonnett Street
  • Enterprise Street
  • Epstein Street
  • Hollowell Street
  • Forrest Street
  • Gray Eagle Street
  • Gulf Stream Street
  • Hargrove Street
  • Juncos Street

Roving ATV Patrols in season.

You can also check their websites for more information: