Virginia beaches include several that are world famous for various reasons.  You can pick the action packed shores at Virginia Beach or watch the four-legged residents of Assateague Island.  Over 3300 miles of shoreline are available to vacation visitors to the State of Virginia.

VIRGINIA BEACH

This is the largest and most populous of the Virginia beaches.  People come to enjoy the three mile Boardwalk with its games, concessions, arcades and food.  Numerous hotels overlook the beach and shoreline where there is swimming, surfing, sailing as well as sand activities such as volleyball, sand soccer and kite-flying.  Miles of walking and hiking trails are available, not only on the beach and Boardwalk, but the First Landing State Park which winds through the wetlands along Broad Bay.  A short distance away by tram is the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park.

Back in Virginia Beach, many of the entertainment programs are free and aimed at families.  The beaches at Virginia Beach are also free.  If the beach activities are too tame for you, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Waterpark and the go-karts at Motor World will liven things up a bit.  Fascinating educational exhibits are available for viewing at the Virginia Beach Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

A small side trip to Mount Trashmore, to the Cape Henry Lighthouses or to the Old Coast Guard Station adds local color to your visit. 

You may also enjoy a more secluded beach experience at North End Beach and Sandbridge just to the south of Virginia Beach.  Some of the ocean-front houses there can be rented by the week.

THE EASTERN SHORE

Virginia’s Eastern Shore is home to three well-known beaches.  The peninsula is reached via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel where the Kiptopeke State Park is known for its annual birding festival.  Because Chesapeake Bay has calm waters and there is a short nature trail, this is the ideal beach for families with young children to use one of the many camping sites.

Sister islands, Chincoteague and Assateague are famous for the herd of wild ponies which reside on Assateague except during the annual two day drive.  Chincoteague has no beachfront, but Assateague, reached by a short causeway between the two islands has wide beaches, virtually untouched and miles of trails.

NORFOLK

Ocean View Beach at Norfolk stretches for eight miles along Chesapeake Bay.  The four wide city beaches feature gentle surf, lifeguards, and picnicking facilities.  Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboats, jet skis and sailboats.  In addition to the beach activities, visitors to Norfolk can visit museums such as Hampton Roads Naval Museum, the National Maritime Center and the USS Wisconsin, and Nauticus.

HAMPTON

In addition to 12 deep water marinas, Hampton is home to Buckroe Beach, a favorite for windsurfing visitors.

RIVER BEACHES

Virginia also has several river beaches where the tributaries flow into Chesapeake Bay or into the Atlantic Ocean.  Fishermen particularly appreciate these beaches, because they can catch both freshwater and saltwater fish in the same area.  An outstanding river beach is Chippokes Plantation State Park with two miles of beach along the James River.