Ocean Rescue

Headquarters: Ocean Bay Boulevard Beach Access

103 S. Virginia Dare Trail

Kill Devil Hills. NC 27948

252-480-0080

Check out our webcam from this location

The Ocean Rescue Division provides effective and efficient ocean rescue services to residents and visitors of our Town. They help to educate beach-goers on hazards associated with the beach and ocean environments. 


Click here for Beach Safety Information

Ocean Rescue vehicles on the beach
Text OBXBEACHCONDITIONS to 77295 to sign up for beach-related weather and ocean condition alerts.

Flags on the Beach & Their Meaning:

Red Flags

Red indicates NO SWIMMING, usually due to rough surf and/or strong currents.

Red Flags Red indicates NO SWIMMING, usually due to rough surf and/or strong currents.

Purple Flags

Purple indicate sea life is actively present. This could be jellyfish, stingrays, or other marine life. Check with a lifeguard for more information.

Purple Flags Purple indicate sea life is actively present. This could be jellyfish, stingrays, or ot

Yellow Flags

Yellow indicates strong currents, swim with caution.  If in doubt, ALWAYS ask a lifeguard.

Yellow Flags Yellow indicates strong currents, swim with caution. If in doubt, ALWAYS ask a lifegua


Beach Accesses with Fixed Guard Stands


Kill Devil Hills’ First Fully Handicap Accessible Beach Access

Ocean Bay Blvd. Beach Access:  103 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Improvements to the Beach Access include: a wooden handicap ramp, which allows wheelchairs to get from the beach access’ parking lot, to the sand and several fixed position mats and roll out mats that lay over top of the sand, permitting wheelchairs entry onto the beach. The mats will be set up in a way that allows for people in a wheelchair to more accessibly ‘set up’ their belongings (off of the mat), to enjoy a day at the beach.

The enhancements were done to grant people using wheelchairs access to one of our greatest resources, the beach! The access improvements are being dedicated in honor of former KDH Commissioner William “Bill” M. Pitt, recognizing his strong community involvement and devotion in Kill Devil Hills. It is also in acknowledgement for Bill’s many achievements as a former elected official and community leader, particularly his leadership role in beach nourishment. Taking measures to preserve our beach and ensuring that everyone be granted an opportunity to enjoy it was essential to Bill. He was extremely passionate about his community and making Kill Devil Hills a great place to live, work, and play.

Handicap Accessible Beach Access

Call 252-480-0080 for more information.

Beach Wheelchairs

The Town of Kill Devil Hills has several wheelchairs designed to be pushed on the sand and will take people right to the water line. They are available for those citizens and visitors to the Town of Kill Devil Hills (the Town's wheelchairs cannot be taken out of Kill Devil Hills). They are available at the Ocean Bay Boulevard Beach Access, 103 S. Virginia Dare Trail, with the following conditions:

  • They are first-come, first-serve and we do not take reservations.
  • They can be obtained by picking them up at the Ocean bay Blvd. Beach Access after 9:30 a.m. each day.
  • They are loaned out on a daily basis and must be returned each evening.
  • They have a 350-pound weight limit.
  • They are free of charge; however, we do accept donations to the KDH Fire Department Auxiliary.

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles

Report ALL nesting turtles, turtle crawls, stranded/dead turtles, OR hatching events on the Outer Banks to the N.E.S.T. Hotline: 252-441-8622

How You Can Save Sea Turtles:

 *Turn off beach front lights after dusk

 *Close blinds/curtains in beachfront homes

 *Do not disturb nesting females or hatchlings by using flashlights or flash photography

 *Fill in any holes and knock down any sandcastles before you leave the beach

 *Remove all personal items and trash

Report ALL nesting turtles, turtle crawls, stranded/dead turtles, OR hatching events on the Outer Ba

Love the Beach Respect the Ocean

How are we doing?

Complete a customer service form