Virginia Beach has a total of 14 miles of beach that are free and open to the public. The resort area attracts visitors to enjoy its white sandy beaches, oceanfront hotels and restaurants, historic landmarks and family-friendly attractions. Virginia Beach offers a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, golf, and whale- and dolphin-watching. Virginia Beach offers scenic coastal views, enough sand and sun to keep the kids entertained, and enough affordable nighttime diversions to satisfy unpretentious adults. Virginia Beach is for those who want a relaxing good time without any hassle. Visit all of the best Virginia beaches here, and continue to read our Virginia Beach Travel Guide to start planning now.
Virginia Beach Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Virginia Beach is from late May to early September, when you’ll experience oceanfront culture in full swing. But this is the peak season, so it can get crowded during these months, plus room rates at beachfront hotels are generally higher between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For lower prices with relatively comfortable temperatures, arrive in spring (from March to mid-May) or fall (between mid-September and November).
Best Virginia Beach Area Beaches
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the epicenter of the state’s seaside recreation scene. During the summer months, the 3-mile-long stretch packs out with sun-seekers who come to bask in the warm Atlantic rays. Meanwhile, its famous boardwalk bustles as live performers and buskers entertain the crowds, a fun and festive feel for the whole family.
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Sandbridge Beach
Sandbridge Beach is the perfect laid back alternate to its hectic northern sister. Rather than thick throngs and a festive vibe, Sandbridge Beach boasts peace and tranquillity along its near-deserted coastline.
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Chick’s Beach
Chick’s Beach stretches for 2 miles between the Lynnhaven Inlet and Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The picturesque stretch is becoming increasingly popular with local families for its stunning coastal scenery and calm, inviting waves.
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First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park serves as the region’s premier outdoor recreation destination. The gorgeous coastal reserve is home to 3,000 acres of protected freshwater cypress swamps, with a multitude of boardwalk trails to explore on bike or foot.
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Croatan Beach
Croatan Beachfeels worlds away from the hustle and bustle. This chilled 0.75-mile stretch is a popular spot for newbie surfers, thanks to its un-intimidating left and right breaks. Surf camps operate throughout the summer and offer board rentals to day-trippers at reasonable rates.
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Best Virginia Beach Tours & Activities
Sun Dolphin Kayak Tour
Watch the sun set over Chesapeake Bay on a 2-hour, small-group dolphin tour by kayak from Virginia Beach. Paddle along the coast as you spot Atlantic bottle nose dolphins, and see the Cape Henry Lighthouses and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from the water. Learn more about the Sun Dolphin Kayak Tour.
Wetland Zip Tour
Soar through the trees on this 90 minute zip tour through a gorgeous wetland forest. Climb up 70′ towers and fly though the air while seeing nature at its best. Learn more about the Wetland Zip Tour.
Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay
Steer a stand-up paddleboard across Linkhorn Bay on a 1.5-hour sunset tour in Virginia Beach. Watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, blue herons, and kingfishers, and enjoy an easy going place to practice stand-up paddleboarding with help from experienced guides. Learn more about the Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay.
Virginia Beach Surf Lessons
Experience the thrill of surfing in the Atlantic Ocean during surfing lessons on Virginia Beach. Choose from either private or group lessons to suit your schedule and budget; all levels are welcome and accommodated accordingly. All equipment and instruction included. Learn more about Virginia Beach Surf Lessons.
Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour
Paddle alongside the wild dolphins of Virginia Beach on a small-group kayak tour from North End Beach. Watch for sea birds and other wildlife as you steer an easy to use, sit-on-top kayak along the coast to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Learn about the Atlantic bottle nose dolphins that swim past the Virginia coast each summer, and explore the shore with an experienced guide. Learn more about the Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour.
Best Virginia Beach Restaurants
Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill $11 – 30
Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill combines premium, locally-source ingredients with a relaxed, natural environment to create a fresh and healthy alternative to Oceanfront dining. Telephone: 757-937-4252 Web: Tulu Seaside Bar & Grill
Lager Heads $11 – 30
They feature the best Virginia beer, wine and cheese. Known for their hand made burgers, signature steaks, fresh seafood and live summer entertainment, Lager Head’s is the place to be. Telephone: 757-995-1400 Web: Lager Heads
Waterman’s Surfside Grill $11 – 30
While Waterman’s is known for its ocean-minded fare, it has also become synonymous with Virginia Beach’s favorite drink, the Orange Crush. Telephone: 757-428-3644 Web: Waterman’s Surfside Grill
Chix on the Beach $11 – 30
For close to 40 years, their award winning menu has been bringing in crowds seeking the perfect combination of ocean-fresh seafood, upscale comfort food, gracious service, an iconic setting, and an excellent value. Telephone: 757-428-2449 Web: Chix on the Beach
Mahi’s Seafood & Sushi $11 – 30
The local’s oceanfront favorite for fresh and local seafood, hand-made sushi, great service, rockin’ patio dining with fabulous views, easy access with free parking, and good times! Telephone: 757-437-8030 Web: Mahi’s Seafood & Sushi
Best Virginia Beach Nightlife
Murphy’s Irish Pub
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pubs are family owned and run restaurants which share a love of traditional Irish heritage, authentic Irish cuisine and lively Irish entertainment. Telephone: 757-417-7701 Web: Murphy’s Irish Pub
Big Woody’s Bar & Grill
Big Woody’s is a primo spot where you can count on great staff, cold beverages and outstanding food – not to mention the best wings ever! Telephone: 757-965-5447 Web: Big Woody’s Bar & Grill
Beachside Social
10,000 sq. ft. of ocean-liner-inspired space to get social. Featuring shuffleboard, bocce ball, board
games, full bar and kitchen. Also featuring stunning ocean views! Telephone: 757-578-2399 Web: Beachside Social
The Shack on 8th
The Shack is an outdoor bar and restaurant and local hangout located on the corner of 8th &
Atlantic Avenue at the heart of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Telephone: 757-319-5146 Web: The Shack on 8th
Omega Bar
Nightclub featuring a variety of Latin dance music, plus cocktails & tapas, in buzzing surrounds. Telephone: 757-515-8090 Web: Omega Bar
I love the beaches and the sea. That’s why I moved to the sea, 700 km from my last location. But I like to visit other beaches. You have created a very good guide for a holiday destination in Virginia Beach. I would love to visit these places someday, especially since I have never seen dolphins.
Oh Dolphins are so much fun to watch. Here, they chase the boats, so just sitting at a beach side cafe gets you a good view. Thanks for visiting my Virginia Beach Travel guide.
I love walking on the beach, so 14 miles of free beaches, sound great to explore. The Dolphin kayak tour sounds like the perfect way to see the short nosed dolphins and the Wetland Zip tour sounds like a definite “must do” as well.
The beachfront appears to be very built up and lots of high-rise buildings. Is there an area close to the ocean but with lower and quieter accommodation than the hotels?
You know Virginia Beach is pretty built up and even the small chains and/or motels are not lower. I believe you would still have a great time though. Your best best might be a B&B. Thanks for visiting my Virginia Beach Travel Guide.
Thank you for this information! Virginia beach has a really great night life and board walk. I heard the water gets to about 75 degrees for a 90 degree day, that’s great! I love a beach, anywhere so if I’m up this way again I will be sure to stop over! Thanks again!
Ok great! And 75 degrees is great. I know here in Clearwater Beach, people complain it is too warm, but oh it is nice 🙂 Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations.
Thank you so much for this incredible beautiful article. This came at the exact right time. You really made my day. We’re searching for a long time where to go this summer. After the 3rd lockdown, we are ready for a nice long holiday trip. Virginia Beach has concurred with our hearts immediately. We love to relax in the sun, but also to make sightseeing and sports. The three-mile Boardwalk right at the Oceanfront, would be perfect for our early morning run. Thank you so much, Virginia beach here we come!
Great Monique! Please let me know if you need any additional information for your trip. And let me know how it goes and what you enjoyed the most 🙂
I enjoyed this article. Even though I grew up on the East Coast I never went to Virginia Beach. It is good learning about it and its many attractive aspects. I certainly did not realize that it was fourteen (14) miles. There is such a variety of things to do. I also did not realize that Virginia Beach had a boardwalk. I was familiar with the boardwalk at Atlantic City but not Virginia Beach. Also, I see there are a number of interesting tours in which to participate. I love the food on the East Coast and it’s great to see all the good restaurants available. I appreciate all the details provided. This is definitely on my list of destinations now.
Wow, can’t believe you lived so close and did not go! Now you will have to make a trip to Virginia Beach! Glad you learned a few things 🙂
Ohh Virginia Beach seems like a beautiful place to be in the Summer time actually! I like to take vacations in the first week of every August, and the beach is one place I have not been yet! I would love to visit this beach and Lager Heads sounds like the perfect place to eat and drink for someone like me hehe! Thank you for the review!
You are welcome Jessie. I am glad you enjoyed and thanks for the visit!
How lovely Virginia Beach would be to holiday. Thank you for this very informative article review on Virginia Beach. I now want to go because of this review. I will keep this article in my holiday file for a later date when I save up to go to Virginia Beach to stay for a holiday.
Great Jason, glad I persuaded you! Thanks for visiting my Virginia Beach Travel Guide.
I can almost smell the salt water and feel the breezes coming off the ocean. There is a wide variety of hotel prices to choose from and lots of activities as well. I always love to walk on the board walk and of course check out the little shops along the way. Just think, 14 miles of free beach to enjoy. The kids would be happy as a lark. Thanks for this informative post. I’d be excited to visit Virginia Beach.
Great Carolyn! Sounds like you are ready to go!
This might be useful for some out there. I was researching if Virginia Beach is a safe place to visit. And I found out that a leading information resource called AdvisorSmith published the Safest Cities in America, and in that study said Virginia Beach ranks as the #1 safest large city! So now I am thinking that this is a great place to vacation to 🙂 Thanks for all of the great information!
Virginia Beach is a safe city, and fun and with a gorgeous beach! Thanks for your visit and taking the time to leave me comments.
Hi,
This is a great article on Virginia Beach, and you have produced a great travel guide, I have done a lot of traveling around the world and read a number of guides so I can confirm your guide is up there with the best. It covers everything anyone going on holiday will need to know. I do like the way you have included various costs and maps along with the excursions for those who do not want to sit on the beach all day.
I found the Hotel section easy to navigate through, making it easier for the reader to decide which Hotel to choose.
All The Best.
Wince
Thanks Wince, glad you enjoyed your visit to my Virginia Beach Travel guide. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve always heard about Virginia Beach when I lived in the US. I had friends who would go almost every summer. I like the visuals and the vast variety of in formation provided on the site, particularly the hotels and their rates and star status. Including tours and other activities is also valuable for the decision maker and certainly influences the decision to visit. We’ll done! I enjoyed reviewing the site.
Thanks so much! And glad you enjoyed 🙂
What a wonderful place to go on holiday. With 14 miles of glorious beach, everyone is sure to find their perfect spot.
I just love the idea of strolling along the boardwalk, taking in the sights and just having a fabulous time.
There is a great range of hotels too. So there is definitely one to suit every budget.
This just seems like the perfect place to visit.
Thanks for sharing it with us
It is the perfect place to visit Geoff! There is a little bit of something for everyone. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Thank you for a little bit of information about Virginia Beach. I’m not someone who loves to go to overcrowded beaches, so most likely I’ll be going in the mid-season. However, I’m a bit worried that the temperatures on the beach might be a bit low. Can you give some insight on what the weather might be like during the spring and fall months? Just to see if it’s worth it. Otherwise, I’ll probably have to look for another destination on your website.
March and April are going to be in the 60s. It’ll start to get into the 70s in May. Then you’ll see 80s all the way thru until October where it will drop to the 70s. Not too bad weather at all. Please let me know if you need any additional information.