Lillian Street Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SE, NE
Wind
Southwest
Surf Height
Head high-double overhead
Tide
Low to mid tide
Lillian Street Surf Guide
Located just north of the historic Kitty Hawk Life Saving Station that now part of the Black Pelican restaurant, this zone was historically referred to as Old Station or Laundromats. Given the parking situation, Lillian is the place for easy parking and access to this consistent zone. The expansive area stretching from Lillian to the north and south spreads surfers out across the beach, and there is usually no definitive lineup but a series of peek-a-boo bowls that plow shoreward regardless of where the pack sits, so it's possible to stroke into a good wave, snake-free. This is also a zone that holds some of the biggest surf that the Northern Outer Banks can get -- bombing nor'easter swells and drifty tropical swells tend to hold shape better here than other areas.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginners welcome when small but intermediate to advance when it's large and in charge.
Local Vibe
Doable
Fine if you don't mind being surrounded by SUPs.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Big parking lot = lots of people in the water.
Spot Rating
Fun
Historically a spot that could handle whatever size nor'easters and hurricanes throw at it.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Normally not bad but the right south swell will make it tough to stay next on the peak.
Water Quality
Fair
Not bad unless after a heavy rain. Septic leakage of the past less of an issue these days.
Hazards
Nothing stands out -- fairly standard.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish, Funboard, Longboard, SUP, Skimming, Bodyboard, Bodysurfing, Kiteboard
Access
There is a decent amount of parking at the beach access.
Bottom
Sand
Best Season
Storm dependent: tropical cyclones in the late summer and fall with frontal activity and nor'easters in the late fall and winter.
Do you have local knowledge about Lillian Street?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]