Looking for the perfect blend of historic charm and coastal relaxation? Virginia beaches offer an incredible variety of experiences, ranging from the world-famous boardwalk and lively surf of Virginia Beach to the untouched, wild landscapes of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. Whether you want to kayak alongside dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay, hunt for seashells on the quiet shores of the Eastern Shore, or enjoy a family-filled day at First Landing State Park, the Old Dominion’s coastline has a hidden gem waiting for you. Dive into our guide to discover why Virginia's shores are a must-visit for nature lovers and vacationers alike.
If you dreaming of a great place to put your toes in the sand, then going to the best Virginia Beaches is the perfect place to start planning a beach travel destination to. Virginia is known for a lot of things, and while amazing beaches may not be the first thing that other people think of when they call to mind the Old Dominion, Virginians know that when it comes to sun, sand and surf, Virginia can hold her own. These beautiful beaches are just a few of the places you can go when you know that a little sand between your toes will make everything better. Ready to visit Virginia Beach? Then head to our Virginia Beach Travel Guide.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Eastern Shore
Famous for its wild ponies, Assateague Island Seashore offers a pristine beach setting that has been unchanged for centuries. While the majority of the national park resides in Maryland, it can be accessed from the Virginia side, just .25 miles from Chincoteague. These beautiful white sand beaches are perfect for camping, nature walks, bird watching or simply resting on the beach and watching the waves. Be sure to visit the iconic Assateague Lighthouse built in 1867. Head to our Assateague Island National Seashore Hotels guide and start planning your vacation.
Cape Charles Beach, Cape Charles
With its shallow waters and no waves, it is great for small children. Cape Charles is the Eastern Shore’s southern-most town and offers public access onto the beach by two wooden walkovers located near the end of Tazewell and Randolph Avenues, as well as the Town’s Fun Pier which also has a wooden walkover. Cape Charles is a beautiful, historic town located on the Eastern Shore. The beachfront provides a perfect place for recreational activities – and as a bonus, it’s the only Eastern Shore beach that offers free parking. Offering park-like amenities such as picnic pavilions, benches and public restrooms, this beach is the perfect place to spend a peaceful day in the sun. Visit our Cape Charles Virginia Hotels for travel planning information.
First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach
Located at the site where the first colonists landed in 1607, this stunning beach side park offers 1.5 miles of sandy beaches in a gorgeous natural setting. The park offers a chance to explore a unique habitat featuring lagoons, large cypress trees and rare plants. More than 19 miles of hiking trails wind through the natural area. Climate-controlled cabins, campsites, picnic areas, boat ramps and miles of various trails also are available. Its Chesapeake Bay Center has aquariums and a wet lab operated by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, educational displays, historic exhibits, a camp store, an amphitheater and a Gateways Program regional welcome center. It’s off U.S. 60 at Cape Henry. Visiting the Virginia Beach area? Visit our Virginia Beach Travel Guide and start planning your Virginia Beach Vacation.
Chincoteague, Eastern Shore
Chincoteague Island, Virginia’s only resort island, is perhaps the most beautiful island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. World famous for its oyster beds and clam shoals, Chincoteague is the gateway to the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Adventure awaits everywhere as history and legend blend with the wild loveliness of the seasonal shore. This serene fishing village, seven miles long and one and one-half miles wide and abounding with history and natural charm, welcomes you to explore its unique island heritage.
Designated as Virginia’s only resort island, it is also one of the most beautiful. While it is perhaps best known for the annual Pony Swim and Auction, Chincoteague has also garnered a name for itself for oysters, fishing and laid-back tourism. Home to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the island is a haven for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking, miles of pristine beaches, and eco tours. Planning to vacation here? Visit our Chincoteague Island Hotels guide here.
Colonial Beach, Westmoreland County
Colonial Beach, located at the northern tip of Virginia’s Northern Neck, is one of the few remaining small seaport towns on the Potomac River. The town enjoys a unique location nestled between the Potomac River on the east and the waters of Monroe Bay on the West. Its sandy beaches and marinas on Monroe Bay have attracted water sporting enthusiasts for over a century. Fishing, sailing, boating, swimming and crabbing are just a few of the water activities enjoyed here. A great place to visit. Colonial Beach is also a very historical area, with Washington’s Birthplace and Stratford Hall boyhood home of Lee, also Westmoreland County is the birthplace of James Monroe. Head to our Colonial Beach Virginia Hotels guide for more information on Colonial Beach Virginia.
Sandbridge, Virginia Beach
While it is considered part of the Virginia Beach coastline, Sandbridge is a far cry from the business of the boardwalk. Filled with family and vacation homes, Sandbridge offers a beautiful and relaxing beach getaway. Visiting the Virginia Beach area? Visit our Virginia Beach Travel Guide and start planning your Virginia Beach Vacation.
Buckroe Beach, Hampton
Bordering the Chesapeake Bay, the wide, clean Buckroe Beach offers eight acres of family-friendly sandy beach, a playground for children, picnic shelters with tables and grills by reservation, a great walking and bike path, and spacious car park area. Certified lifeguards are on duty daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During the summer months, visitors can swing to the sounds of the Sunday night Groovin’ by the Bay concerts, or view an outdoor movie as part of the Tuesday night POMOCO Family Movie Series. Watercraft rentals and picnic shelters are available for a fee to make your stay at Buckroe Beach completely convenient and enjoyable. Pets are not allowed May 15th-Sep. 15. Summer season runs 10a.m.-6p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Visit our Hampton VA Hotels guide for travel planning information on Buckroe Beach.
Oceanview Beach, Norfolk
Just 15 miles or so from the main Virginia Beach attractions is Oceanview Beach. Resting along the 8-mile stretch of Chesapeake Bay beachfront, Ocean View Beach is quieter and more family-oriented than Virginia Beach, providing free parking and a less commercial experience. The 6.5 acre Ocean View Beach Park is a designated festival park and holds events throughout the year. Ocean View Beach offers visitors an attractive gazebo, picnic tables and a bathhouse. Visit our Norfolk Virginia Hotels guide for travel planning information on Oceanview Beach.
Chesapeake Beach (a.k.a., Chic’s Beach and Chick’s Beach), Virginia Beach
This beach-of-many-names is especially loved by the locals. Offering stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, this quiet, non-touristy beach offers vacation rentals and private homes in a beautiful beachfront setting that stretches 2 miles from the Lynnhaven inlet to the bridge. Although it is officially called Chesapeake Beach, the name Chic’s, or Chick’s as it is known by non-locals, came from a beachfront shop where visitors could get limeade and ice cream. While the shop is long gone, the name stuck. Visiting the Virginia Beach area? Visit our Virginia Beach Travel Guide and start planning your Virginia Beach Vacation.
Virginia Beach
Many visitors don’t realize that Virginia Beach is not just a beach; it’s actually made up of several unique beach experiences, each with their own distinct personality.
Events happen almost every weekend, but some of the most popular include the Boardwalk Art Show, Neptune Festival, the East Coast Surfing Championship and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Half Marathon! Virginia’s most popular state park, First Landing State Park, features trails for hiking and biking, camp sites, swimming and rental sports equipment.
Some of Virginia’s most visited attractions are in Virginia Beach, such as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Association for Research & Enlightenment as well as the Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
For the outdoor enthusiast, Virginia Beach offers sports fishing charters, SCUBA and snorkeling, surfing and sailing for the beginner with expert instruction and rental equipment. Biking along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Back Bay National Refuge, hiking and watching wildlife at North River Landing Natural Area, and just hanging out at ocean side make Virginia Beach a prime family vacation spot! Visiting the Virginia Beach area? Visit our Virginia Beach Travel Guide and start planning your Virginia Beach Vacation.
Best Virginia Beach Hotels
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I never realized Virginia had so many different types of beach destinations until reading this. I always pictured the main Virginia Beach boardwalk area, but places like Chincoteague, Sandbridge, and Cape Charles sound completely different from each other. The wild ponies at Assateague would definitely be at the top of my list to see. I also like that some of these beaches sound much quieter and more nature-focused instead of heavily commercialized. Did you have a favorite area for relaxing versus sightseeing and activities?
One thing I really liked about Virginia’s coastline was how different each beach area felt depending on what kind of trip you wanted. Places like Sandbridge and Chincoteague were great for a quieter and more relaxing atmosphere, while Virginia Beach had much more going on with restaurants, entertainment, and activities nearby. Assateague and the Eastern Shore areas were especially memorable because of the wildlife and natural scenery. It made the whole coastline feel much more diverse than I originally expected.
Pingback: Tessa Blair
Assateague Island and Chincoteague are definitely the best places to see the famous wild ponies along the Virginia coast. Many visitors spot them while driving through the wildlife refuge, walking the trails, or relaxing near the beach areas, although guided boat tours can often get you even closer views. Early morning and sunset are usually some of the best times to see them out grazing near the marshes and dunes.
I didn’t realize there were that many things going on in Virginia Beach besides just the beach itself. The festivals sound like they could make the timing of a trip really fun. Do those events make the area super crowded, or is it still manageable if you plan around them?
The events definitely bring more energy to the area, especially the bigger ones like the Neptune Festival or the surfing championships, so you’ll notice more people around the boardwalk and main beach areas.
That said, it’s still very manageable if you plan ahead a bit. Staying slightly away from the busiest stretch of the boardwalk or heading out earlier in the day can make a big difference. You can also balance things out by spending time in quieter spots like First Landing State Park or Back Bay, which tend to stay more relaxed even during busy weekends.
Pingback: Chelsea
If you want a peaceful mix of beaches, small-town charm, and plenty of nature, Chincoteague and Assateague are the perfect starting point. You get the wild ponies, beautiful protected shoreline, quiet streets, great seafood, and easy access to hiking and wildlife viewing. It’s an ideal place to slow down and enjoy the coastal landscape.
For an even softer, more laid-back vibe, pairing Chincoteague with Cape Charles is a great option. Cape Charles has shallow water beaches, a historic downtown, and a very relaxed pace—perfect for wandering, dining, and sunset watching. Let me know what style of trip you’re planning, and I can help narrow it even more!
I had no idea Virginia had so many beautiful beaches! This post really opened my eyes to how much variety the state offers — from the quiet charm of Chincoteague and Cape Charles to the fun energy of Virginia Beach. I love how you included details about each spot, especially the historical touches and family-friendly options. It sounds like the perfect mix of nature, history, and relaxation. Would you say Virginia Beach or Sandbridge is better for a peaceful stay without too many crowds?
Sandbridge is definitely the better choice if you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed beach experience. It has a peaceful, residential feel with beautiful vacation homes and wide stretches of sand that never feel crowded. You’ll still be close enough to enjoy the dining and activities of Virginia Beach but with all the serenity of a private coastal retreat — truly the best of both worlds.