a locals guide to the beaches

Since it is a very popular tourist destination, Virginia Beach has amazing amenities for beachgoers. With a 4 mile long beachfront and a 3 mile long boardwalk it's easy to see why this place draws huge crowds. There are also great bathrooms with showers, two children's play areas (one of which is handicap accessible), and plenty of nearby restaurants and activities.

There is always something to do here, with an aquarium nearby, several museums, and countless festivals and seasonal activities. It's easy to see why Virgina Beach is so well-loved, but if you don't like crowds, you should avoid going in the peak season

 Buckroe Beach borders the Chesapeake Bay with three-quarters of a mile of clean beachfront. Available for rent are three picnic shelters, an observation pier with a shelter, and a stage pavilion for community events, private events and entertainment.  There is a spacious nautical-themed playground, large restroom facilities with outdoor showers, and ample open space year-round.  

This spot is located near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel so plan your trip accordingly for traffic, it's not a place you want to be leaving during rush hour.

This location has much more to see since it was a pivotal location in many of our nation's historic events. Located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay you can enjoy the panoramic waterfront views, nature trails, historic homes and buildings, restaurants, and yes beaches. Outlook Beach is the name of the public beachfront.  Complete with a sandy beach, lighthouse, and sweeping water view, this destination checks all the boxes when it comes to fantastic spots to visit in Hampton. 

The main con is the lack of bathrooms. Expect to use porta-potties during your visit. This one is also located near the Tunnel, so expect traffic and plan your route accordingly. 

Grandview Nature Preserve is a public free beach and nature park in the city of Hampton. The Preserve covers over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and Chesapeake Bay beachfront. The Preserve is a great location to beach comb, observe the migratory birds, and photography. It is also a great place for fishing. You will need to obtain a saltwater fishing license first.

The downsides of this beach are the limited parking, no bathrooms, and it is a half mile walk from the parking area to the beach, so it is not easily accessible for those with limited mobility.
 

This is a small quiet beach not far from the Yorktown Battlefield Historic Park. They have specific rules against playing loud music or games that might disturb other beachgoers, so this is a wonderful spot for people who want to unwind without all the excitement of larger destinations.

This is a quiet neighborhood with a beach area for locals. They have a ban on using properties for short-term rentals, so you won't see tourists here. Their mission is to preserve the community and beach for residents and not become another air BnB filled neighborhood. This is a great spot to come if you love peace and quiet or want a place to walk with your dog since it is pet friendly. The waves can be quite strong and there aren't amenities like playgrounds and pavilions you'd need so it may not be the best place for a family day on the beach.

There is only streetside parking and no amenities or bathrooms. 

This beach is the only year-round dog-friendly beach in the area, most only allow them in the off-season. You can enjoy a decent amount of shoreline with on-site camping available on-site, hiking trails, ample parking, and great bathrooms. This spot is handicap accessible and has a built-in beach ramp for wheelchairs.

You do have to pay for parking and once the lot fills up, they will turn visitors away.

You can save on parking by buying a yearly pass if you're a frequent visitor. Disabled veterans can also enjoy free parking, boat launching, and admission to all state parks by obtaining a passport through the Virginia State Parks website.

Ocean View and East beaches in Norfolk run adjacent to each other and provide loads of family friendly entertainment with great amenities.

Ocean view boasts a large 6.5-acre park with themed family nights, movie nights, cornhole, and live music, a beach with lifeguards in the summer, a boardwalk, beach handicap access ramp, and lots of open green space. 

The neighborhood of East Beach feels like stepping onto the set of a movie,  

connected by a series of neighborhood parks each bay front green is a neighborhood gathering place with its own unique character – a giant chess set at the Bay Front Club and landscaped ovals creating a croquet pitch and bocce ball lawn. There are two tennis courts in East Beach, a stage pavilion with a drop-down screen for movie night, and a formal rose garden and pergola.

This is the go-to spot for surfers in the area with two designated areas just for surfers and live webcams so you can see the strength of the waves before you go. They have a large lot for parking located adjacent to Camp Pendelton and restrooms on-site. 

 Sandbridge Beach, approximately 15 miles south of the Virginia Beach Resort Area, is a serene retreat from the busier tourist spots. Often referred to as the "Outer Banks of Virginia,"   Adjacent to Sandbridge are the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park, offering plenty of opportunities for kayaking, hiking, bird-watching, and fishing. This beach is a great spot for those with kids because they have playgrounds, shelters, and great bathrooms with showers. There are also vacation rentals if you are looking for a weekend on the beach.