Top Beaches in Virginia

Best Places to Visit in Virginia

Wondering about nice beaches in Virginia for a beach vacation this summer?

If so, we’ve got for you some great suggestions on popular beaches in Virginia, as well as other lesser known beaches in Virginia that draw fewer crowds.


Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach no doubt, boasts some of the top beaches in Virginia and also some of the best beaches in Virginia for an action-packed beach vacation.

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It would be safe to say that Virginia Beach is one of the top summer destinations in the US with the beaches along Virginia Beach Oceanfront drawing the most crowds. Having said this, you can still find quite beaches in Virginia Beach for a pleasant and hassle-free vacation. See below:


Oceanfront Beaches

If you don’t mind the crowds the beaches along the Oceanfront are the perfect spot as they boast dozens of beach motels and hotels to choose from such as Holiday Inn and Best Western.

There are lots to see and do along the Oceanfront such as visiting the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Center, the Virginia Beach amusement park and the Old Coast Guard Station Museum.

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On the Oceanfront, you'll also find the beautiful VA Beach boardwalk and fishing pier which are two of the biggest attractions here. Virginia Beach Pier is particularly great as you’ll be able to enjoy stunning ocean views and a bit of pier fishing.

South Beach and Croatan Beach

Most of the beaches along the Oceanfront are great for beach activities and water sports such as surfing, boogie surfing and para-sailing, though if you’re a kin surfer, you'll want to head to either South End Beach or Croatan Beach. Croatan Beach is probably one of the best surfing spots out of the two as it boasts many surf schools.

Chesapeake Beach

Chesapeake Beach is without a doubt, one of the lesser known beach spots in Virginia Beach, but a true gem!

Chesapeake Beach (known as Chick’s Beach by the locals) is about 20 minutes drive north of downtown Virginia Beach and it is definitely one of the top beaches in Virginia for a nice retreat with friends and kids.

In fact, you won’t have to worry about rough tides here since Chick’s Beach waters are very calm and shallow which is great if you’re bringing little ones with you.

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach is also home to a state park beach called First Landing State Park, which boasts a lovely bay beach as well as lots of walking and biking trails.

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Besides the beach, First Landing State Park is a great spot to enjoy other fun activities like hiking, kayaking, primitive camping and picnicking.

Grommet Island Park

Another great thing about Virginia Beach is that it’s home to Grommet Island Park which is nice playground which is 100% handicap accessible.

Sandbridge Beach

Sandbridge Beach is at the other end of the spectrum when compared to the Oceanfront beaches in Virginia Beach, and it's without a doubt, one of the top beaches in Virginia for a relaxing beach vacation.

Sandbridge Beach is a nice break from the touristy beaches in Virginia as there aren’t any big hotel resorts bar small vacation homes and condos.

If you love nature walks, you’ll also enjoy a beach vacation in Sandbridge Beach as it’s only a short drive from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to some of the most pristine beaches in VA Beach.

By the way, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is dog-friendly but only during the low-season months (between October and March).

If this wasn't all, Virginia Beach also hosts cool sporting events such as East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) in August and the NA Sand Soccer Championships in June.

Buckroe Beach

Buckroe Beach is located in Hampton VA and it’s another of the top beaches in Virginia for families with kids.

Buckroe Beach boasts all the amenities and beach rentals you’d expect from the family beaches in Virginia Beach but without the large crowds.

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Another great thing about Buckroe Beach is that you’re not far from the Virginia Air & Space Center which is one of Hampton’s top attractions.


Buckroe Beach also hosts annually the Pomoco Family Free Movie Series (between July 15 and Aug 25) on Tuesday nights.

Colonial Beach 

Colonial Beach is undoubtedly, one of the most popular beach vacation spots in Virginia, mainly because Washington DC is just a stone-throw away.

Regardless of where you're planning to base, if you’re love your water-skiing and jet-skiing, Colonial Beach is definitely one of the top beaches in Virginia for water sports!

There are lots of rental shops, large marinas and tour operators to choose from so, you’ll be able to book everything from scenic boat tours to chartering a boat for a fun day of fishing on the Potomac River. By the way, don't miss the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier for a bit of pier fishing!

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