Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) is an exposed sandbar break off Southern Shores known for quite reliable surf that can work throughout the year. Surf performance is described as best with east swells and winds that groom the water (offshore-favorable winds), with summer—particularly July—highlighted for the most consistent conditions. The lineup is considered intermediate-leaning overall. Waves are typically peeling with medium ride lengths reported, and the break’s sandbar configuration is key—sandbars can shift frequently after major storms, which can move the peak along the beach. Because the spot is exposed and affected by strong coastal currents, take the hazards seriously: rips/undertow and strong currents are reported, along with sharks and moderate localism. When safety conditions are poor, red warning flags are posted and swimming becomes unsafe/illegal—avoid entering the water when flags are flown and follow local rules. Rescue and supervision are seasonal: fixed lifeguard stands are manned Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend at Chicahauk Trail. In the event of an emergency, dial 911; nearby full-service emergency care is available in Nags Head.
- Exposed sandbar break with reliable year-round surf
- Best consistency reported in summer, especially July
- East swells tend to suit the break; offshore west/southwest winds groom the waves
- Seasonal lifeguard coverage at Chicahauk Trail
- Exposed sandbar break with quite reliable surf and year-round working potential.
- Best summer consistency (especially July).
- Seasonal lifeguard coverage during peak periods at Chicahauk Trail.
- Exposed conditions with shifting sandbars after storms.
- Hazards include rips/undertow/strong currents, sharks, and localism.
- Swimming is prohibited when red warning flags are flown.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Regional pattern shows summer thermal sea-breeze as dominant; spot is offshore-wind-favorable when winds align correctly.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Shadow Zones
- Occasional shadowing from beach-side houses and dunes on very light offshore days.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · All day · Months: Jul · Dir: W, SW · Summer sea-breeze influence is described as all-day, typically strongest late morning into afternoon in the region.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size is described as medium; sandbar conditions determine how it holds and whether it becomes closeout on longer-period bigger swell.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppiness increases with east/onshore winds; offshore-favorable winds groom the swell.
- Launch
- Medium — A wide sandy beach/launch area is described.
Through the year
Can be crowded during summer weekends and on standout swell days.
Hurricane season peaks from August to October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed sandbar break that can work at any time of the year, with quite reliable surf. Best consistency is summer (especially July), with east swells tending to suit the break.
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — Sources describe all-tides availability, with best performance also described around mid tide; avoid dead-low and high-tide conditions that can change wave shape.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed sandbar break to Atlantic conditions; not sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore west-to-southwest winds that groom the swell; east winds make it choppy and disorganized.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger hurricane swells, but may begin to close out if the swell period is too long for the sandbars.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good/reliable, though one source also describes overall wave quality as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Surf is described as reliable/exposed with a moderate power profile.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape, with sections depending on current sandbar configuration.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling sections are described as fast-to-peeling depending on sandbar configuration.
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer fast, peeling sections depending on the current sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) in the full forecast view.
Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–22 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- NE37°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2522 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 15–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.4–1.2 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rips
- undertow
- strong-currents
- rip currents
- lateral drift
- sharks
- localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Fixed lifeguard stands are manned 10 am–6 pm Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend at Chicahauk Trail.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Seasonal ocean rescue services are available during peak summer months; rescue availability is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are located in Kitty Hawk or Nags Head. Emergency number: 911. The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head is a nearby full-service medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is reported; respect the locals and the lineup.
Rules of the spot
Swimming prohibited during dangerous conditions and while red flags are being flown. Follow local beach use regulations where applicable and use standard surfing etiquette (respect locals/lineup).
- No swimming during dangerous conditions or when red flags are flying.
- No unattended personal items on the beach between 5pm-7am.
- Watch for red warning flags indicating unsafe or illegal swimming conditions due to strong currents.
- Avoid entering the water when red flags are flying.
- Take care on dropping tide when currents can be tricky.
- Sandbars shift frequently after major storms; expect the peak to move north or south.
- Check the tide because it can get too fat at high tide or dumpy at dead low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Southern Shores
- Nearest Town
- Southern Shores
- Parking
- Parking available at the Chicahauk Trail access point; extremely limited public parking is also reported with many areas reserved for permit holders.
- Access
- Chicahauk Trail (96A Ocean Blvd.) is a designated handicapped accessible beach access point in Southern Shores.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Primarily residential vacation rentals plus several hotels in nearby Kitty Hawk.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant and bar are available; nearby restaurants and cafes are a short drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf equipment rentals are available at retail locations in the northern beaches area.
- Gear Repair
- Board repairs are available via surf shops in the nearby area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Site of the first successful powered flight, featuring a visitor center and historical markers.
Historic landmark with views of the coastline and a glimpse into fishing heritage.
Tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast; popular for hang gliding and hiking.
Popular dining spot housed in a former Lifesaving Station with ocean views.
Waterfront park with a long boardwalk along Currituck Sound, plus shops and family-friendly events.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar)?
The best overall months at Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) are July.
Which wind directions work at Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar)?
Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.
What skill level is Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) suitable for?
Chicahauk (Chicahauk Sandbar) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.