Travel Virginia The Best Beaches In Virginia For A Breezy Getaway When it comes to picturesque shorelines, Virginia makes a strong showing. By Southern Living Editors Published on April 14, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Sherry Smith/Getty Images When it comes to picturesque shorelines, Virginia makes a strong showing. Some spots, like Assateague and Chincoteague, are well-known for their off-the-beaten-path sands (and the wild ponies that roam them), while other beaches are tucked along the edges of the commonwealth’s cities and small towns. Places like Norfolk and Virginia Beach have plenty of places to play in the surf, cast a line, and take in the views. In addition, you can usually find a kayak rental or a water tour nearby. If exploration is the name of the game, hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities are also bountiful near many of Virginia's beaches. Whether you’re dipping your toes into the Atlantic’s ocean waters or frolicking in the bays that curve along the coasts, you’ll be glad you made a visit to Virginia’s best beaches. 01 of 12 Assateague Island National Seashore Frailey/Getty Images Assateague Island, Virginia Everyone can agree that Assateague is a treasure. Assateague Island National Seashore stretches 37 miles along the Atlantic and is home to a herd of roaming wild horses. A favorite place for enjoying white-sand beaches overlooking the Atlantic, Tom's Cove, and Assateague Bay, the island is located on the Eastern Shore and is also home to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, where you'll find hiking trails, marshes, and the Assateague Lighthouse. Next door on Chincoteague Island, you can enjoy the only resort island in Virginia. In these coastal areas, you're invited to lounge on the beaches, see the sunset, and glimpse a wild pony or two. 02 of 12 Buckroe Beach Sherry Smith/Getty Images Hampton, Virginia At this Chesapeake Bay beach, you’ll encounter views of the bay along with nearly a mile of sandy shore. If you want to venture into the waters at Buckroe Beach, which is located on the coast in Hampton, Virginia, you can find jet-ski, kayak, and paddleboard rentals at nearby businesses, as well as history and water tours to book for even more fun in the sun. 03 of 12 Cape Charles Beach Chris White/500px/Getty Images Cape Charles, Virginia Cape Charles, the southernmost town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is home to a family-friendly beach with calm, shallow waters along the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors of all ages love this public beach, which is as picturesque as it is laid-back. Cape Charles Beach and the surrounding areas invite boating, kayaking, and swimming in the waters, while the community of Cape Charles is also charming, meaning you'll have plenty of small-town draws to enjoy after your day at the beach (or if the rains come). 04 of 12 Chesapeake Bay Beach Douglas Sacha/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia The city of Virginia Beach comes by its name honestly–it’s surrounded by beaches, all of which are popular stretches of shoreline for splashing, sunning, and taking in the beauty of the water. Chesapeake Bay Beach is a great one to visit, as it has two miles of sands to traverse and quite calm waters stretching from Lynnhaven Inlet to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. 05 of 12 Colonial Beach Bill Chizek/Getty Images Colonial Beach, Virginia Located along the Potomac River, the town of Colonial Beach has a two-mile-long stretch of sand to enjoy. It’s the second-largest beach in the commonwealth and comprises several different areas: North Beach, Downtown Boardwalk Beach, Irving Avenue Beach, Castlewood Beach, and The Pointe. Dotted throughout are boat launches, the boardwalk, Colonial Beach Municipal Pier (a must-visit for anyone hoping to cast a line), watersport rentals, and restaurants. 06 of 12 Croatan Beach felixmizioznikov/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia This sandy spot is located in Virginia Beach near Camp Pendleton. According to the Croatan Civic League, “Croatan Beach is three quarters of a mile long and stretches from Rudee Inlet to Camp Pendleton. With 2 designated surfing areas–one at the north beginning at Rudee Inlet and one at the south at Camp Pendleton–it has long been a favorite of local surfers.” This small-but-inviting beach is next door to the residential neighborhood of Croatan Beach, which has become a popular vacation destination for families. 07 of 12 False Cape State Park Kyle Little/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia You’ll have to leave your cars behind when you visit False Cape State Park, because access to these shores is by foot, bicycle, or boat only. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, “Nestled between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, False Cape State Park is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast. [...] False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and 6 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach.” It's an ideal beach destination for anyone wanting to get back to basics and experience the wonders of the untouched natural world. 08 of 12 First Landing State Park dosecreative/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia First Landing State Park has become an undeniably popular spot to spend a feet-in-the-sand, eyes-on-the-shore day in Virginia Beach. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, “As Virginia's most-visited state park, it's an oasis within urban Virginia Beach. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage.” Camping, boating, and picnicking are go-to activities here. 09 of 12 Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park zrfphoto/Getty Images Montross, Virginia Westmoreland State Park, a waterside oasis with a coastline crenellated by cliffs, borders the Potomac River. A visit to the picturesque pocket of sand known as Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park brings fun in the surf and sand, as well as something of a treasure hunt. You’ll have to embark on a bit of a walk to get there, but once you reach Fossil Beach, you'd do well to keep your eyes peeled. Visitors have been known to uncover fossils and sharks’ teeth along the serene shores. 10 of 12 Ocean View Beach Park Imagesbybarbara/Getty Images Norfolk, Virginia Located on the Chesapeake Bay, this multi-mile beach is sandwiched between Sarah Constant Beach Park and Community Beach Park. According to Visit Norfolk, “This beach on Norfolk’s Chesapeake Bay is a popular spot for folks who’d rather spend more time at the beach than driving to it. With commercial piers, bait shops and tackle rentals, it makes an ideal fishing spot as well.” Here, you can swim in the ocean or take part in other watersports like windsurfing and kayaking. There are also walking trails and a golf course nearby if you tire of traversing the sands. 11 of 12 Resort Beach OKRAD/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia A central part of the bustling coast, Resort Beach is a popular stretch of shoreline in the Virginia Beach area. It's home to broad sands and is in close proximity to the city's many oceanside resorts. Beloved for its three-mile boardwalk, Resort Beach is a hub for restaurants, shopping, and ice cream shops, as well as surfing, cycling, and people-watching. 12 of 12 Sandbridge Beach Sherry Smith/Getty Images Virginia Beach, Virginia You'll find this beach north of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. According to Visit Virginia Beach, “Located a short drive south of the Oceanfront District, Sandbridge is a secluded beach hideaway of pristine sand dunes and dancing sea oats. It is a relaxing and peaceful community where you can truly slow down and unwind on your vacation.” When you want to explore in the outdoors, head south to the refuge and the state park for hiking, biking, and kayaking. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit