Visitors to Kitty Hawk’s beaches are protected by our Ocean Rescue personnel, a division of the Fire Department. Ocean Rescue performs lifeguard and ocean safety duties from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and as well as working to inform the public on ocean safety year-round.
Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue is now hiring for the 2026 Season! Go to Town Jobs | Employment Opportunities in Kitty Hawk, NC for details!
Kitty Hawk Lifeguard Employment
For additional information on Ocean Rescue Employment, may contact Laura Walker at (252) 261-3552 or laura.walker@kittyhawknc.gov.
Download our Town Employment Application.
Public Beach Access in Kitty Hawk
The Town of Kitty Hawk prides itself on providing a public beach for the enjoyment of full-time residents and visitors alike. There are many public beach accesses with parking available.
Kitty Hawk Beach Parking
All spaces on streets are parallel parking and marked spaces in the paved parking lots. All spaces are gravel except for Byrd, Lillian and the Bathhouse.
Below is is a list of parking in Kitty Hawk, going from North to South:
- Byrd Street
East Side – 4 spaces with 1 Handicapped space; West Side – 60 spaces with 2 handicapped - Fonck Street
South side street parking only – 6 spaces - Maynard Street
Both sides of street. North side-8 spaces; South side – 8 spaces - Bennett Street
North side street parking only – 7 spaces - Luke Street (seasonal port-o-potty)
North Side street parking only -13 spaces - Bleriot Street (seasonal port-o-potty)
Both sides of the the street. North side – 14 spaces; South side – 12 spaces - Wilkins Street
Both sides of the street. North side – 4 spaces; South side – 5 spaces - Hawks Street
Both sides of the street. North side – 6 spaces; South side – 5 spaces - Balchen Street
Both sides of the street; North side – 11 spaces; South side – 10 spaces - Lillian Street
Marked diagonal – 35 spaces with 3 handicapped - Kitty Hawk Bath House (3840 N. VA Dare Trail)
50 spaces with 2 handicapped.
In total there are 266 parking spaces including 8 handicapped spaces.
Handicap-Accessible Parking & Sound Access
The Town also has a handicap-accessible public sound access at Windgrass Circle. It has parking and is open from sunrise to thirty minutes past sunset.
Kitty Hawk Public Restrooms
In addition to parking, there is a public restroom with showers at the Kitty Hawk Bath House, located at 3840 N Virginia Dare Trail. There is a port-o-potty at Byrd Street located just south of the intersection of Kitty Hawk Road and NC 12 and at the Bleriot and Luke Street beach accesses.
Lifeguard Stands in Kitty Hawk
There are fixed lifeguard stands at the Byrd Street access, the Eckner Street access, the Bleriot Street access, the Lillian Street access and the Kitty Hawk Bath House access, as well as roving lifeguards on ATVs.
When Lifeguards Are On Duty
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Ocean Rescue personnel are on duty from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Between Labor Day and September 30, Ocean Rescue Staff will be on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Town of Kitty Hawk Beach Safety
In case of an emergency, know your location and dial 9-1-1, after hours.
Beach Safety Tips
- Swim near a Lifeguard
- Do not fight the Rip Current – learn to “Break the Grip”
- Supervise your children and watch the hazards at all times.
- Do not float where you cannot swim
- Lightning – “Hear It or See it – Flee it”
- “Protect Your Neck” – enter feet first every time and watch the waves.
- Carry your cell phone and know where you are on the beach. If you think someone needs help DIAL 911.
For more information on rip currents check out Love the Beach Respect the Ocean.
Town of Kitty Hawk Beach Ordinances
- No driving on the beach
- No glass on the beach
- No fires on the beach
- Motorized watercraft cannot be launched from the Atlantic Ocean beach
- Surfers must attach a surfing leash from themselves to their surfboards
- Swimming in the ocean is prohibited when double red flags are posted. Violation can result in a $250.00 fine.
- Beachgoers are prohibited from leaving unattended personal equipment such as chairs, umbrellas, canopies and coolers on the beach overnight.
- Digging holes and mounding sound on the beach is not allowed as it is unsafe for beach goers, rescue personnel and sea life.