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Ocean & Lifeguard Locations / Personal Watercraft Safety

Ocean Safety & Lifeguard Locations

Always use caution before entering and swimming in the Atlantic ocean. Look for red warning flags and red and white warning posters. If red flags are flying, swimming is prohibited. Although the flags may fly when the weather seems fine, it's hard to judge if the water is safe. North Carolina Atlantic ocean swimming is not like swimming in a lake or pool, as strong littoral currents, rip currents, tidal currents near inlets, and shifting sand can make swimming dangerous. Please read the swimming safety tips at lifeguard locations.

Use Dune walk-overs and designated beach access points to cross the dunes. A few extra steps may be all it takes to protect the plants that hold the dune in place. Serious erosion problems result from pedestrian traffic and from dragging boats, sailboards and other objects across the dunes. Pick up your trash when leaving the beach and place in the appropriate containers.

Lifeguards are on the beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Hours vary. Most beach areas have roving lifeguards and supervisors. Hours and locations are subject to change without notice. Listed below are public beach accesses as well as lifeguard locations.

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Personal Watercraft - Rules and Regulations

Jumping the waves with a jet ski can be exhilarating, but each town has rules and regulations posted concerning the use of personal watercraft. For additional information, contact individual town halls or the National Park Service.

Duck

• Personal watercraft is prohibited on the town's ocean beaches.
• You must go straight in and straight out within 600 feet from the sound shoreline and must do so at a speed no faster than necessary to maintain control, but not causing a wake or exceeding 5 miles per hour.
• No personal watercraft may be operated within 900 feet of the sound or ocean shoreline.
• No person under the age of 16 years shall operate a personal watercraft.
• Personal watercraft may be operated only during the hours of 9:00am - 6:00pm.

Nags Head

• Personal watercraft are allowed within the Town of Nags Head, however, they cannot be operated within 600 feet of the shoreline (sound or ocean) or a fishing pier.
• You must go straight in and straight out at a speed which will not generate or cause a wake or exceed 5 mph.
• Personal watercraft may be launched only at permitted sites within the town. No motorized watercrafts are allowed at the Danube Street Sound Access.

Kill Devil Hills

• Personal watercraft are allowed within the Town of Kill Devil Hills, however, they cannot be operated within 300 feet of the shoreline (sound or ocean) or a fishing pier.

Kitty Hawk

• Launching engine-powered watercraft from Kitty Hawk beaches is prohibited.
• Personal watercraft cannot be operated within 500 feet of the Atlantic Ocean beach within Town of Kitty Hawk limits.

Southern Shores

• Town personal watercraft permit and proof personal watercraft insurance required; minimum age of 16 to operate watercraft.
• Operation of personal watercraft is prohibited on all waters extending 200 yards into the ocean and 400 yards soundside.
• No operation allowed sunset to sunrise.
• Boater safety course required.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers Memorial &

Fort Raleigh Historial Site (252) 473-2111

• Personal watercraft are prohibited from launching and landing from all accesses, land or water areas controlled by the National Park Service.
• Operation of personal watercraft is prohibited on all waters extending 150 feet into the soundside waters.

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