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Outer Banks Water Safety Guide — Stay Safe & Enjoy the Beach

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Welcome to Your Outer Banks Vacation!

The Outer Banks of North Carolina offer miles of beautiful shoreline, thrilling waves, and unforgettable family moments. Whether you’re here for sandy beach walks, swimming, surfing, or splashing in the pool, safety should always come first. This guide helps you understand local water hazards, shoreline safety tips, and how lifeguards and active supervision work together to protect you and your family.

Ocean & Beach Safety Tips

Outer Banks Lifeguarded Beach Access

Swim Near Lifeguards When Available

Swimming in areas with lifeguard protection greatly reduces risk. Lifeguarded beaches provide professional surveillance and rescue skills, and are typically staffed daily during peak seasons (May–September) at designated times.

Quick Tips:

  • Always check for lifeguard stands and posted hours before entering the water.
  • Follow instructions and safety flags; they indicate current conditions like rip currents, water quality issues, or unsafe surf.
Outer Banks Ocean

Understand Rip Currents

Rip currents — strong, narrow channels of fast-moving water — are one of the leading causes of rescues along Ocean beaches.

Stay Safe From Rip Currents:

  • Look for breaking waves or changes in water color.
  • If caught, don’t fight the current — swim parallel to shore until free, then head toward land.
Water Watcher

Know the Water Watcher Approach

Even with lifeguards present, active supervision by Beachgoers and caregivers adds an important layer of protection — especially for children. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) recommends designating a Water Watcher: a responsible adult focused solely on supervising swimmers without distraction.

What Water Watchers Do:

  • Stay alert and free from phones or other tasks
  • Rotate every ~15 minutes to maintain focus
  • Be clearly identifiable to swimmers and lifeguards

Lifeguards and Water Watchers working together create active supervision — a powerful way to prevent accidents.

kids in pool playing

Pool Safety & Supervision

  • Keep constant watch whenever anyone — especially children — is in or around pool water. Active supervision means eyes on the water at all times with no distractions.
  • Designate a Water Watcher and rotate responsibilities frequently.
  • Ensure pool fences, gates, and alarms are in place and functioning.

Click here for more tips on staying safe in and around pools and hot tubs.

Outer Banks Red Flags

Safety Flags & Local Alerts

The Outer Banks community uses a beach flag system to communicate ocean conditions:

  • Green – calm conditions
  • Yellow – moderate surf/currents
  • Red – high hazard, avoid swimming
  • Double Red – water closed to public

Sign up for local beach condition alerts (e.g., via OBXBeachConditions text service) to get real-time updates.

Emergency & Medical Resources

For all serious emergencies, Dial 911 immediately.

Local Urgent Care & Medical Services

The Outer Banks Hospital Urgent Care – Kitty Hawk 

5112 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC — (252) 449-7474

Surf Urgent Care – Kill Devil Hills

400 S Croatan Hwy — (252) 441-7870

The Outer Banks Hospital Urgent Care – Nags Head

5002 S Croatan Hwy, Suite A — (252) 449-6115

Final Safety Reminders

  • Never swim alone — use the buddy system.
  • Know your limits and stay in water that matches your swimming abilities.
  • Be aware of changing weather and water conditions — storms can increase hazards quickly.
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  • Currituck Chamber of Commerce Logo
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