16 Best Beaches in Virginia [for 2023]
If you are searching for spectacular and exciting beaches in Virginia, you can definitely find your favorite beach on the beautiful coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Because the most popular beach in Virginia is located on the Atlantic Ocean, which is famous for its There are many attractions with stunning sandy shores and panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay, and the state also has many small but beautiful beaches.
Virginia has several public beaches located in some of the state’s best parks and recreational areas along the Eastern Shore. You can nd more than one beach in Virginia, whether it is a big or small or freshwater beach, all beaches are known for their own characteristics. Many of the beaches here may entice you with small-town eateries, or indulge in pet-friendly beach getaways. Stay tuned with our list of the best beaches in Virginia.
1. Virginia Beach
Photo by Derek Liang on Unsplash
Virginia Beach is the most loved beach in the state of Virginia. Known as a coastal city located in the southeastern region of the state of Virginia in the United States of America, this beach claims to be the most popular in the region.
This beach is definitely worth a visit, attracting tourists from all corners of the globe with its sparkling waters and gorgeous golden sands. When it comes to your trip to the ocean, you will never be short of activities and great amenities, coupled with breathtaking views of the natural scenery.
You can also enjoy the unique tunnel at this beach, and there is much more to do in addition to sunbathing and swimming. If you wish to stay here for a few days and want to enjoy your holidays, then you will nd many luxurious hotels around where you can stay with your family. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Virginia Aquarium and Ocean Breeze Waterpark.
2. Colonial Beach
Photo by Garry Butler on Unsplash
If you are planning your trip to Northern Virginia, then Colonial Beach is the best option for you. As this beach is situated on the Potomac River, it boasts of its stunning views, sandy beach, and several marinas around. Here you can indulge in a variety of activities with your friends and loved ones.
Especially here one can experience water sports including swimming in the water and can enjoy a lot of fun activities like boating and fishing. Colonial Beach welcomes you with your pet from 1st October to 31st March It Offers beach access, but pets must be kept on a leash. There is no shortage of attractions around Colonial Beach as it is one of the only port cities, and the city exudes charm and historical importance
3. Sandbridge Beach
Photo by Memories on 35mm on Unsplash
Sandbridge Beach, a serene and exciting beach, is seen as a part of Virginia Beach. The coastline of this beach is about 5 miles long, and the beach is less crowded than Virginia Beach, due to which this beach offers a peaceful and secluded environment. You can enjoy the whole family at this beach. Together you can enjoy the solitude of the beach.
If you notice, most of the hotels, restaurants, and shops are not present on Sandbridge Beach, but still, the beach is generally liked by holidaymakers. Here you will nd high sand dunes, strong waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and most importantly, the sunset here is very beautiful.
You cannot miss out on outdoor activities at Sandbridge Beach as there are a variety of activities around. Which, you can get the best experience of kayaking, fishing, or hiking in False Cape State Park.
4. Assateague Island National Seashore
Photo by Sara Cottle on Unsplash
The Assateague Island National Seashore is famous for its natural beauty and wild stunning views. This approximately 37-mile sandy coastline stretching from Virginia to Maryland offers a wealth of stunning scenery. This exotic wooded area is popular for the Chincoteague ponies, and you can spot a variety of wildlife, including One can mostly spot wild horses, migratory birds, and other marine animals here.
If you have binoculars, you can spot migratory birds even more easily. There is ample space for sunbathing, and beautiful places to go swimming. If you wish to see even more beautiful and panoramic views here, then you can get a pleasant experience of the scenery by climbing to the top of the ancient Assateague Lighthouse.
5. Cape Charles Beach
Photo by Michael Denning on Unsplash
If you want to have a family vacation at the best beach in Charleston, then Cape Charles Beach can be the best option for you. Beaches Located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, this beach with its best features awaits the whole family.
The question must be coming to your mind why Cape Charles beach is the best beach because it is a public beach. And parking fees are minimal, it’s a beautiful stretch of soft and white sand that stretches along the glistening Chesapeake Bay, and the water is generally clear, calm, and shallow, making it perfect for swimming, and sunbathing.
Makes a great beach for playing water sports. The infrastructure of the beach is also very good, it has public toilets, benches to sit on and a great picnic area for picnics, all these facilities are like a park. If you want to indulge in more thrilling activities here, you can go for a paddleboard or kayak ride on rent. Here you can do shopping with yourself and your family, and enjoy a variety of delicious food with the whole family, which is served by the restaurants here.
6. Buckroe Beach
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
Buckaroo Beach is a great option for your friends and family purpose, it is a public beach located in Hampton, Virginia. This beach offers nearly a mile of shoreline boasting spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay.
The beach is generally not overcrowded so it is known for its laid-back atmosphere. During the summer months, the beach is supervised by lifeguards The view of the sunset is made on the beach, and here you can see the wildlife as well as the best place to see the ships coming and going.
Here you can get the parking facility very comfortably, for your other needs You don’t have to go far for essentials such as sunscreen, drinking water and snacks, as there is an on-site store.
If you want to spend a little more time on the water, you can book a jet ski tour or visit the Hampton Kayak or paddleboard rentals are available from Watersports. There are many luxurious hotels in Hampton where you can have a delicious meal with your loved ones or friends.
7. Belle Isle Beach
Photo by Ariana Kaminski on Unsplash
Belle Isle Beach is definitely an interesting beach in Virginia that offers a unique beach experience. The beach is lined with natural rocks, where tourists and locals alike lounge on the rocks to sunbathe. Due to the high speed of water on this beach, swimming here is quite dangerous, hence swimming is not advised here. This beach is perfect for those looking to spend time lounging on the beach or lie down and soak up the sun, plus there are small, shallow pools of water.
Belle Isle Beach is part of Belle Isle Historic Park in downtown Richmond. Is part of. This is a great option if you’d like to drive to and around the beach. This beautiful park is a 54-acre island on what used to be an American fishing village. The beach is easy to walk to. Along the way, there is also an urban beach and historical sites.
8. Ocean View Beach
Photo by Alexa Soh on Unsplash
If you are thinking of spending your whole day on a splendid beach. Then you might consider Ocean View Beach in Norfolk. Because this beach is 7.5 miles long, there are plenty of lines for sunbathing and swimming, and plenty of places to build sandcastles with the kids.
This beach is also great in terms of amenities as it has easy access to Easy access to parking, restaurants, and most importantly, the beach. Ocean View Park offers picnic tables and a shower, and the longest fishing pier in the state of Virginia, where You can go fishing while enjoying the panoramic views.
Ocean View Beach hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the Ocean View Art Show and the Ocean View Beach Volleyball Tournament.
9. Jamestown Beach
Photo by Georgi Guruli on Unsplash
Jamestown Beach caters to those looking for a popular beach in Virginia, located close to the historic Jamestown Settlement. Prepare to enjoy plenty of activities and amenities here, as there is a family-friendly beach resort. It is a lot available.
There are concessions, picnic areas, restrooms, a great pier, and plenty of shaded areas, plus an oceanfront park. Enjoy a spectacular lagoon, and non-residents park for a small fee. takes, which is nil. Jamestown Beach is a great option for spending a day in the sun while learning about American history.
10. Kerr Lake
Photo by Mustafizur Rahman on Unsplash
Do you like beaches with lakes? If your answer is yes, then Kerr Lake on Bugs Island in Clarksville is a great option for you. Considered to be Virginia’s largest lake, it has 50,000 acres of water, also known as Kerr Reservoir.
And it has more than 800 miles of beautiful shoreline. You’ll nd not one or two but several swimming spots here, along with a variety of options for water sports, including water skiing, boating, and sailing.
Kerr Lake features hiking, and If you wish to do your camping here, then there are many options available for you. Such as Ivy Hill Park, Buffalo Park, North Bend Park, Rudds Creek, Palmer Point Park, and Longwood Park, apart from this many great facilities are available around the lake.
11. Bethel Beach
Photo by Catalina Fedorova on Unsplash
Bethel Beach is very popular among locals and tourists for its natural beauty. This beach offers attractive sand dunes and picturesque surroundings, as it is located in a Natural Area Preserve.
This pristine beach is famous for its protected area, sandy shoreline, and shallow water, which is ideal for children to play. You can get a chance to spot wildlife here, as it is home to a variety of migratory birds. With its parking arranged in a gravel area, Bethel Beach is a great option to escape the hustle and bustle of city life while retaining its natural beauty.
12. Smith Mountain Lake Beach
Photo by Chris Bulilan on Unsplash
Smith Mountain Lake Beach is definitely the second-largest lake in the state, and it’s one of Virginia’s most loved beaches. Because the lake is a freshwater lake, it’s family-friendly, and it offers a variety of water sports. Sports activities are available.
The beach especially attracts those who crave water sports. The beach has several excellent swimming areas, and the lake offers jet skiing, and boating, as well as picnic areas and pavilions. Featuring a public fishing pier, the lake is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and crappie, making it a popular spot for anglers. You can also go camping, And there are plenty of shade trees where you can enjoy the shade on hot summer days.
13. Lake Anna
Photo by Ariana Kaminski on Unsplash
Spread over an area of about 13,000 acres in northern Virginia, it boasts of being the third largest lake in the state with 200 miles of shoreline. On it, you can find white sand and clear water, perfect for swimming and lying down. Very nice place to relax.
The beach is one of the public beaches. The lake is quite popular for recreational activities and adventure activities, you can indulge in water sports like wakeboarding, water skiing, and boating here. There are many organizations and marinas near the lake, where you can shop for what you need, and there are several public access points around the lake for tourist use.
14. Yorktown Beach
Photo by Michał Bielejewski on Unsplash
Yorktown Beach, located on the York River in the historic downtown of Yorktown, is a small public beach. The beach is spread over two acres and is one of the best places to spend a family holiday.
As there are lounges to relax in close proximity to the beach, and restaurants to eat and drink that offer excellent delectable food. Are. Here you can experience fishing, and there is a comfortable and luxurious picnic area for picnics.
Yorktown Beach is easily accessible, if you are arriving by car, you can park your car in the public lot located in Yorktown and take a complimentary shuttle to the beach easily. Here you can also rent kayaks and paddleboards from a local organization to enjoy more activities.
15. First Landing State Park Beach
Photo by Joshua Patterson on Unsplash
First Landing State Park is rarely crowded, despite being a public beach. Stretching for 1.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, this beach is one of the best beaches in Virginia. This beach is a great option for everyone whether you are with your family or friends.
The beach is very much liked by tourists and the local people due to its natural beauty. The coastline of the beach is full of natural vegetation with sand dunes, and marine forests, this beach is ideal for nature lovers. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season to ensure the safety of your swim. This beach To reach it, you have to cross the dunes along four boardwalks to reach it.
16. Chincoteague Island
Photo by Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing on Unsplash
Chincoteague Island, a small barrier island off the coast of Virginia, is famous for its beautiful beaches, wildlife refuge, and annual pony swim. The island is home to a variety of birds, where you can spot great blue herons and ospreys.
The refuge is also home to the famous Chincoteague Ponies, a breed of wild ponies that can be seen roaming freely on the island. Naturally, this beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the state, where you can soak up the sun. Besides sunbathing, the beach is the best place to watch birds y by.
Here you can find events and shows that can thrill you. Every year, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department holds a pony swim and auction, where ponies round-up and swim across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. In addition to wildlife and pony events, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and biking.
1. What is the clearest beach in Virginia?
One of the cleanest beaches in Virginia is Sandbridge Beach, known for its white sand and clear water, making it a popular destination for sunbathing and other water activities.
2. What is the cutest beach town in Virginia?
There are several charming beach towns in Virginia, but one of the cutest in Cape Charles. This small town is located on the Chesapeake Bay and features a picturesque downtown area with colorful buildings, quaint shops, and delicious seafood restaurants. The town also has a beautiful beach with calm waters and soft sand, perfect for relaxing.