Caswell Beach: Tom Hess Way
About
Caswell Beach: Tom Hess Way is a public beach access point in North Carolina, managed by the town of Caswell Beach and located about 0.8 miles from the town itself. It serves as a straightforward way onto the sand for anyone visiting this stretch of the coast. For comfortable weather, spring and fall tend to work well. Typical averages from the nearby Southport 5 N weather station show October highs around 79°F with lows near 54°F, while May runs warmer, with highs around 83°F. Several short hikes lie within a few miles. Cape Fear Trail is about 3.7 miles away and Fort Holmes Trail about 3.8 miles. Dowitcher Trail and Dogwood Trail are each about 4 miles away, making it easy to pair a beach visit with a walk.
Beach Details
Parking
None at the access
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Caswell Beach: Tom Hess Way
North Carolina
Data: North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, public beach access sites. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Oct–May. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–83°F and lows of 35–60°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Southport 5 N, NC weather station, 7.3 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan60° high35° low
- Feb62° high38° low
- Mar68° high43° low
- Apr76° high51° low
- May83° high60° low
- Jun88° high69° low
- Jul92° high73° low
- Aug90° high71° low
- Sep87° high66° low
- Oct79° high54° low
- Nov70° high44° low
- Dec63° high38° low
Nearby
- Cape Fear TrailHiking3.7 mi
- Fort Holmes TrailHiking3.8 mi
- Dowitcher TrailHiking4 mi
- Dogwood TrailHiking4 mi
- Sabal Palm TrailHiking4.3 mi
- Basin TrailHiking8.5 mi
- Ramsgate TrailHiking9 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Caswell Beach: Tom Hess Way
Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
60° / 35°
8 wet
Feb
62° / 38°
8 wet
Mar
68° / 43°
8 wet
Apr
76° / 51°
7 wet
May
83° / 60°
8 wet
Jun
88° / 69°
9 wet
Jul
92° / 73°
10 wet
Aug
90° / 71°
11 wet
Sep
87° / 66°
9 wet
Oct
79° / 54°
7 wet
Nov
70° / 44°
7 wet
Dec
63° / 38°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Southport 5 N, NC, 7.3 mi away at 20 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
