Guide to the Best Beaches in Virginia Beach
If you're relocating to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, you're in for a treat. You'll get to enjoy the amenities of three Virginia cities: Norfolk, Newport News, and Virginia Beach.
Between the three cities are museums, state parks, the Virginia Aquarium, and miles of waterfront attractions that include beautiful Virginia Beach beaches. They may not have made the Beach Boys' list of "Surfin' USA" hot spots, but they offer protected wetlands, white sand, and respectable waves.
Whether you enjoy the pristine shoreline of an untouched wildlife refuge or prefer the lively bustle of a boardwalk, Virginia Beach has both and everything in between.
Here's your guide to the most lovely area beaches you'll enjoy once you've arrived.
Nature Preserves
The area has many protected species and is dedicated to wildlife conservation. Visitors can enjoy these landmarks through boating, hiking, bicycling, fishing, and hunting.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Encompassing over 9,000 acres, Back Bay is a buffer against residential and commercial development 18 miles south of the city of Virginia Beach. With the freshwater bay to the west and the Atlantic ocean to the east, the area features majestic dunes and freshwater marshes. Activities include hiking trails, conservation education, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Grandview Nature Preserves
Located just north of Virginia Beach, this preserve takes the visitor through a marsh trail that ends at a 2.5-mile sandy beach. The dunes are home to the largest colony of least terns on the Atlantic coast. Visitors may hike, fish (with a license), and beach comb in this 500-acre area.
Virginia Beach Beaches
There's a reason it's named Virginia Beach. The city is directly on the Atlantic Ocean, and interior rivers surround it with wetlands as they empty into the Chesapeake Bay. There are many beaches to choose from in the area, but here are the two best:
Sandbridge
Located just south of the city, Sandbridge is reminiscent of the Outer Banks barrier islands in North Carolina. Modest beach homes are on stilts and covered with rustic coastal siding.
The beach sand is soft, and the ocean here is calm and friendly. It used to be a well-kept secret, but it remains a favorite and retains its charm regardless of the number of visitors.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
This beach is the main attraction of the city. From the Cavalier Hotel to the Rudee Inlet, the beach is bordered on the city side by a concrete boardwalk built in 1988. Overlooking the boardwalk and the ocean are more than 40 hotels and restaurants, making it a bustling center of activity during the summer season.
Visitors enjoy concerts and other entertainment events at the 17th Street amphitheater. Three blocks south stands the 14th Street Fishing Pier, the only pier accessible from the boardwalk, and has a gift shop, viewing binoculars and an avid fishing community.
Fun, Fun, Fun
The Hampton Roads area is packed with activities for families and adults, even beyond those beautiful Virginia Beach beaches. You'll enjoy great food, mild weather, and the benefits of living in one of the beautiful metropolitan areas on the east coast.
Plan your move to the area with these moving tips that will make your relocation easier both before and after you arrive.
