Duck Beaches

Duck’s beautiful beaches are perfect for exploring or relaxing. When spending any amount of time on the beach in Duck, it’s best to keep the following information in mind.

Beach Rules and Regulations

• Beaches are pet-friendly year-round. Dogs are allowed to play unleashed on the beach under close supervision of the owner. Dogs are required to be leashed when in the village or at Duck Town Park. Duck's Leash Law requires that leashes not exceed 10 feet in length.
• Beach accesses in Duck are located within each community. There are no public beach accesses in Duck.
• Always keep a close eye on your kids and use common sense.
• Dispose of all trash in proper receptacles, including pet waste.
• Fireworks, beach fires, and bonfires are not permitted on the beaches in Duck.
• Vehicles are not permitted on Duck beaches between May 1st and September 30th. Vehicles are permitted during the other months of the year using designated private vehicular access points. There are no public access points for vehicles within the Town of Duck.
• Do not enter the water when Red Flags are flying.
• Always use designated dune walkovers - never walk or play on the dunes.
• The landing and launching of personal watercraft in the ocean is prohibited in Duck. Motorized personal watercraft can be used in the Currituck Sound from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and must be at least 900 feet from the shore. There are no public sound launch points in Duck for motorized personal watercraft.
• Retrieve all personal items daily, including tents, chairs, umbrellas, etc., by 5:00 pm if unattended. All equipment must be removed from the beach and dune system entirely, any items lying in or on the dune, under or beside beach stairs, will be removed and disposed of as litter. Please note that items may include, but are not limited to, volleyball, badminton, and tennis nets, poles, tents, chairs, cabanas, sunshades, horseshoe stakes, croquet courses, umbrellas, or any other personal property items. Unattended items should not be placed on the beach before 8:00 am.
• Tents may not be any larger than 12′ x 12′. Tents and/or sunshades may not be tied together, nor may they be spaced any closer than 10 feet from each other.
• Attend to and refill all beach holes.
• Place tent/chair setups at least 15 feet away from the base of the dune to allow for emergency access.
• Report stranded sea life or sea turtle nests to the lifeguards.

Duck Lifeguard Locations

Roving lifeguards (4x4 trucks and ATVs) are on patrol from May 1 through October 31. Lifeguards are on duty at fixed stands from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from late May through August. Lifeguard stand locations are subject to change. Visit Duck Surf Rescue’s website for current information. Lifeguard stands are located at the following locations:

Memorial Day through Labor Day:

• Four Seasons
• Christopher Drive
• Schooner Ridge Drive
• Barrier Island Station
• Caffey's Inlet
• Sprigtail Drive

Mid-June through mid-August:

• Scarborough Lane
• Plover Drive
• South Snow Geese
• Ocean Pines
• Widgeon Drive
• Dune Road
• Charles Jenkins Lane