In recent weeks there have been several news stories about people who drownedn on beaches on the east coast of the United States. Beyond the most logical precautions such as not getting into the water without knowing how to swim or pay attention to prevention flags, one of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing where to vacation safely is to visit beaches that have lifeguard service. And swim near them.
To do so, the first thing you need to know is that beaches with lifeguard service are certified by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA).
This organization certifies lifeguard agencies that meet the recommended minimum standards for lifeguarding. beach safety and water rescues.
In this list we present the beaches in north carolina with rescue services so you can choose where to go on vacation safely.
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Beaches with Lifeguards in North Carolina
11 beaches in North Carolina that offer lifeguard service. Locations, service hours and notable details.
1. Carolina Beach – New Hanover, NC.
Carolina Beach, located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, is a popular tourist destination known for its wide sandy beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and water activities.
The beaches, which stretch for approximately 3 miles, are staffed by USLA-certified lifeguards during the summer season, ensuring the safety of visitors.
Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue is the team in charge of water safety, with highly trained lifeguards who patrol daily.
Lifeguards are on duty Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The City of Carolina Beach places lifeguard towers at strategic points along the beach to ensure rapid response in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, daily training and exercises are conducted to maintain the high level of lifeguard readiness and response.
2. Corolla Beach – Outer Banks, NC
Corolla Beach, located in the northern part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a beach that has USLA-certified lifeguards, guaranteeing the safety of its visitors.
- Corolla Beach Rescue is staffed with highly trained lifeguards who operate daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm throughout the summer.
Its coverage area encompasses approximately twenty-three miles of oceanfront beach and 100 square miles of Currituck Sound.
During peak season, Corolla Beach Rescue maintains eighteen stationary lifeguard towers and eleven mobile patrols, including 4x4 trucks and ATVs. These patrols travel from the county line to Penny's Hill to provide assistance.
Last summer, Corolla Beach Rescue welcomed more than one million visitors, performed 166 rescues and issued more than 32,000 safety advisories.
It is essential that visitors know the location of the lifeguard towers, which can be found on this map: Lifeguard Tower Map. You can also receive safety notifications: text SAFECOROLLA to 888-777.
3. Duck – Outer Banks, NC
Duck Beaches, the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, also has professional lifeguards.
In this area there is Duck Surf Rescue, an advanced USLA certified agency, that has been providing beach lifeguard services since 2000 and operates along the North Carolina coast at Duck, Southern Shores, and the beaches of the Outer Banks National Park.
From May 1 to October 31, Duck Surf Rescue patrols the beaches of Duck and Southern Shores.
The service includes 16 lifeguard towers operating from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and 6 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) operating from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, supervised by a captain on the Surf Rescue truck.
Lifeguard tower locations:
duck: Ocean Pines Dr.*; Carrol Dr. (Caffeys Inlet); Mallard*; Sprigtail Dr.; Widgeon Dr.*; Snow; Geese Dr.*; Barrier Island Station Duck; Dune Rd.*; Schooner Ridge Dr.; Christopher Dr.; Scarborough Dr.*; Four Seasons Ln.; Plover Dr.*; Charles Jenkins*.
Southern shores : Hillcrest Dr.; Dogwood Tr.; Triangle (142 Ocean Blvd.)*; Chicahauk Tr.
Locations marked with an * operate from June 15 to August 17.
4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Outer Banks, NC
There are five beaches along Cape Hatteras National Seashore with lifeguards during the summer months, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Coquina Beach : Located in the northern part of the coast, it has a beach area with lifeguards, changing rooms, showers and bathrooms.
Frisco Beach : Located in the southern part of Hatteras Island, it offers warmer waters, showers, changing rooms and bathrooms.
Ocracoke Beach : On Ocracoke Island, with warm waters, showers, changing rooms, bathrooms and lifeguards during the summer.
Old Lighthouse Beach : Former site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, now a recreational beach with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Rodanthe Beach Access : Public access provided by Dare County, one of the few accessible beaches in the Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo area.
It is important to know that the areas between the beaches with lifeguards are patrolled by National Park Service Rangers and local rescue teams according to personnel availability and schedules.
Before you hit the beach, check the daily weather forecast dangers of rip currents
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5. Emerald Isle – Carteret, NC.
Emerald Isle is located off the southern coast of North Carolina in Carteret County.
It is part of a chain of islands known as the Crystal Islands (Crystal Coast), which are part of the Outer Banks.
Emerald Isle is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and family-friendly atmosphere, and is a popular destination for tourists and local residents looking to enjoy the sun, sea and various recreational activities.
El Emerald Isle Fire Department, certified by the USLA, provides professional fire, EMS and ocean rescue services through two stations.
The city has lifeguards at the East Ocean Regional Access and the West Ocean Regional Access from April to September.
There are also roving lifeguards who patrol the 12 miles of the city's beach, ensuring the safety of beachgoers.
6. Fort Fisher – New Hanover County, NC
Fort Fisher is located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, on the southern tip of Pleasure Island, near the town of Kure Beach, in New Hanover County.
It has white sand beaches and clean waters, ideal for swimming, sunbathing and fishing. These beaches have lifeguards from Fort Fisher Ocean Rescue, certified by USLA.
7. Kill Devil Hills – Outer Banks, NC
The beaches of Kill Devil Hills, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, are also staffed by professional lifeguards.
Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue provides ocean rescue services to residents and visitors, educating about the dangers associated with the beach and marine environment. Their lifeguards are USLA certified.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, lifeguards at Kill devil hills They patrol the beaches from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
During this time, lifeguards are in their towers, constantly monitoring to ensure the safety of swimmers and responding quickly to any emergencies in the water.
8. Kitty Hawk – Outer Banks, NC
Kitty Hawk, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a historic coastal town known for its beaches, water sports, and its role in the Wright Brothers' first flights.
Visitors to Kitty Hawk beaches are protected by personnel from Ocean Rescue, a division of the Fire Department. Ocean Rescue provides lifeguarding and ocean safety from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, as well as educating the public about ocean safety year-round.
There are fixed lifeguard towers at the entrances to Byrd Street, Eckner Street, Lillian Street and Kitty Hawk Bath House, as well as mobile lifeguards on ATV vehicles.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Ocean Rescue staff are on duty from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Between Labor Day and September 30, Ocean Rescue staff will be on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
9. Kure Beach – Pleasure Island, NC
Kure Beach is a coastal city 18 miles from Wilmington, known for its beaches, natural beauty, attractions and outdoor adventures.
This city has lifeguards on its beaches through Kure Beach Ocean Rescue, operated by the Kure Beach Fire Department.
The seasonal staff includes 32 lifeguards, with a chief lifeguard and 4 captains. The city operates 10 towers spread along the 3 miles of beach.
They use one Honda Pioneer and 5 Honda Rancher 4-wheelers to respond to ocean rescue emergencies and medical calls.
All staff are trained as First Responders and several are Emergency Medical Technicians.
Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily.
10. Nags Head – Outer Banks, NC
Nags Head, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a coastal town famous for its expansive beaches and water activities.
This city has lifeguards on its beaches through Nags Head Ocean Rescue, which provides water rescue services from April to October.
During the summer, Nags Head beaches are patrolled by lifeguards on all-terrain vehicles, as well as on fixed towers located at improved beach approaches.
From Memorial Day weekend through October 15, flags are posted at public entrances to notify visitors of the day's conditions.
Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. After Labor Day, Ocean Rescue's staffing level decreases. The city maintains four lifeguard towers until the end of September.
From October 1 to October 31, lifeguards are on mobile duty, but there are no fixed lifeguard towers.
11. Wrightsville Beach – NC
Wrightsville Beach, located on the southeast coast of North Carolina near the city of Wilmington, is known for its beautiful beaches and water activities. The city has lifeguard service on its beaches through Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue.
Lifeguard service at this beach is present from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
This team is part of the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department, has 92 seasonal lifeguards and protects approximately four miles of beach.
It is also certified as an advanced rescue agency by the USLA, conducting patrols with ATVs, UTVs and personal watercraft, and training its personnel as open water lifeguards and emergency medical responders.
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