Where is the sea coldest in North Carolina in January?

Wrightsville Beach in United States has the coldest sea in North Carolina in January, averaging about 11.0 °C. Carolina Beach (11.0 °C) and Kure Beach are the next coolest.

How many beaches in North Carolina are warm enough to swim in January?

None of the top 24 ranked beaches in North Carolina reach 22 °C in January, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.

How are these January sea temperatures calculated?

Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical January rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

Seasonal ranking

Coldest sea temperature in North Carolina in January

Where the sea is coolest across North Carolina during January, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Wrightsville Beach (North Carolina, United States) is the coolest at around 11°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
Wrightsville Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
2
Carolina Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
3
Kure Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
4
Topsail Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
5
Surf City NC
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
6
Emerald Isle
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
7
Hatteras Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
8
Avon Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
9
Nags Head
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
10
Kill Devil Hills
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
11
Duck Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
12
Cape Hatteras Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
13
Bald Head Island Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
14
Kitty Hawk Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
15
Corolla Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
16
Rodanthe Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
17
Ocracoke Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
18
Frisco Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
19
Atlantic Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
20
Bogue Banks Salter Path
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
21
Sunset Beach NC
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
22
Ocean Isle Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
23
Holden Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average
24
Oak Island Beach
North Carolina · United States · Atlantic Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
11°C
January average

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North Carolina in January — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in North Carolina in January?: Wrightsville Beach in United States has the coldest sea in North Carolina in January, averaging about 11.0 °C. Carolina Beach (11.0 °C) and Kure Beach are the next coolest.
How many beaches in North Carolina are warm enough to swim in January?: None of the top 24 ranked beaches in North Carolina reach 22 °C in January, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.
How are these January sea temperatures calculated?: Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical January rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

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