About Duck

Like most Dare County beachbreaks, the sandbars regularly shift up and down the beach as they are constantly reworked by the surf. But rather than chasing phantom sandbars, there is at least one no-brainer that comes and goes with the sand -- Duck Research Pier.

Source: Duck Surf Guide

Ability Level

Intermediate - advanced

Beg Int Adv

Any and all levels

Local Vibe

Welcoming

Welcoming Intimidating

Chill, except when invaded by carpenter/rippers from town on their one-hour lunch breaks: "Don't mean to be rude, but beat it."

Crowd Factor

Mellow

Mellow Heavy

Usually not bad due to lack of parking.

Spot Rating

Fun

Poor Perfect

Still has its moments, like the recent beach replenishment, but parking is an issue.

Shoulder Burn

Light

Light Exhausting

Normally not bad but the right south swell will make it tough to stay next on the peak.

Water Quality

Clean

Clean Dirty

Pretty clean.

Additional Information

Hazards

Parking is the biggest pain since the parking lot got closed after 9/11.

Access

Sketchy. In the wintertime, there is rarely a problem with parking. During summer, or on weekends, forget it.

Bring Your

Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, sup, skimming, bodyboard, bodysurfing, kiteboard

Seabed

Sand and whatever equipment the Corps of Engineers are testing.

Best Season

Storm dependent: tropical cyclones in the late summer and fall with frontal activity and nor'easters in the late fall and winter.

Swell Consistency and Wind Overview

Photos & Videos