Virginia Beach is the most well-known beach in the state. Access to the Atlantic Ocean is quite popular with tourists. Due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, there are more dining options and activities than constructing sandcastles in the region. One of the reasons Virginia Beach is so well-liked by both locals and visitors from outside the area is the variety of sea and land experiences it offers. As you watch a surfing tournament, sit beside the shore. Watch a sand volleyball match or take in some live music.

Learn to snorkel to stay active, or hire a bike to cycle the Back Bay National Refuge's paths. Be sure to visit the various stores and restaurants that line the main street and take a stroll down the three-mile boardwalk while listening to the waves crash into the shoreline. Although there are several reasonably priced hotels along the beachfront, if you're searching for more opulent lodgings for your trip, the historic Cavalier Hotel, which is a part of the Marriott five-star Autograph Collection, has rooms with views of the water and tastefully restored interiors.

Location: Virginia Beach

Website: https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5.0

A beach community called Colonial Beach can be found in Westmoreland County on Virginia's Northern Neck Peninsula, that is one of the best beaches in Virginia. The Potomac River, Monroe Bay, and Monroe Creek define the boundaries of this beach, which is neither entirely an Atlantic Beach nor entirely a Bay Beach. Colonial Beach is worth visiting if you're searching for a distinctive place to unwind on the water and a region with a tremendous amount of history (George Washington's birthplace is here and James Monroe's is nearby); it has the second-largest coastline in all of Virginia.

Colonial Beach's biggest feature is that it makes for a fantastic day trip from Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Washington, DC. There are many wonderful sites to explore in the state, but if you enjoy the outdoors, you should definitely check out these beaches in Virginia. Pets are permitted at Colonial Beach from October 1 through March 31 as long as they are leashed. Colonial Beach, the neighborhood's lone remaining seaport village on the Potomac River, has historical value and a small-town charm.

Location: Colonial Beach on the Northern Neck Peninsula in Westmoreland County

Website: https://colonialbeachva.net/

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5.0

The Assateague Island National Seashore has a beach that is almost as well-known for its wild ponies and natural surroundings as it is for its stunning ocean waters. The 37 miles of sandy shoreline, which connects Virginia and Maryland, has a distinctive ecosystem and terrain. Because of the Misty of Chincoteague book, the region is famed for its wild Chincoteague Ponies. This beach boasts lots of room for sunbathing and other activities for when you need to take a break.

Close your eyes and listen for the sound of the ponies, or bring some binoculars and keep an eye out for uncommon migratory birds that pass through the area. You can see the Assateague Lighthouse, one of Virginia's most stunning lighthouses, built in 1867, which offers a panoramic view of the ocean and some of the state's best-preserved natural beauty if you feel like getting some exercise. In addition to the wild horses and pristine Eastern Shore beaches. Also, keep in mind that besides horses, the area is a wildlife refuge! You can see bald eagles, seagulls, and many other animals in the marshes, coves, and bays. Virginia really is a little piece of paradise! Another stunning national park in Virginia is Assateague Island.

Location: Eastern Shore (shared with Maryland)

Website: https://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

Cape Charles Beach is one of the best beaches in Virginia because it is one of the less popular ones. It is situated on Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Shore. Families and tourists who do not want to swim in the ocean waves can enjoy the public beach's calm, shallow waters. If you're looking for a beach where participating in water sports is simple, Cape Charles Beach has a number of nearby outfitters who can arrange your adventures. If you want to organize your own kayaking excursion on the bay waters, the outfitters can lend out kayaks.

The beach is only 10 miles north of the easily accessible Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. You should check before you go because the hours vary depending on the season and are pet-friendly. The nearby Kiptopeke State Park features a public beach and a restroom. Cape Charles is a historic community with a few quaint eateries and stores. In Cape Charles, the majority of housing options are modest bed & breakfasts, such as the Alyssa House Bed and Breakfast, which is housed in a restored century-old house.

Location: Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore

Website: https://www.capecharles.org/

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5.0

Buckroe Beach, which is situated in Hampton in Coastal Virginia, is a lovely substitute for Virginia Beach. The surf is not as rough, and the public beach is not as crowded as Virginia Beach. In the summer, there are lifeguards on duty. This beach location is excellent for seeing ocean wildlife, sunsets, and ships ready to enter the port. It's simple to park at Buckroe Beach, and there's a store there where you can buy snacks, water, and sunscreen. You can reserve a Jet Ski tour or get a kayak or paddleboard rental from Hampton Watersports if you want to spend the day on the water. There are several hotels in Hampton, and many of them, like the Hampton Inn Hampton-Newport News, provide the convenience of breakfast is included.

The region was settled in 1619 by English settlers traveling with the London-based Virginia Company. For many years following that, up until the Civil War, the shore was used as a fishing camp. The beach was harmed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 (the pier in particular), but it was renovated, reopened in 2009, and is now renowned for its excellent fishing. On a summer day, it will be brimming with fishers, so the proof is there!

Location: Hampton

Website: https://hampton.gov/3503/Buckroe-Beach-Park

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5.0

Belle Isle Beach in Richmond is the best place to go if you want a truly unique "beach" experience in Virginia. It is regarded as an urban beach since it contains flat, naturally occurring rocks that the inhabitants like to use for sunbathing rather than sand and ocean waves. Swimming is not encouraged due to the fast-moving rapids, but it's a fantastic alternative if you just want to be near water and cool off by dipping your feet in. Cliffs and small, serene, little pools of water can be seen in the area around Belle Isle Beach.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Belle Isle Beach at 7845 Riverbank Drive is open from 5 am to 10 pm. The Belle Isle Beach House has restrooms and change rooms close to the beach. Quite frequently, a line-up of different food trucks will form close by so beachgoers can partake in a quick snack, cool beverage, or even dinner. Parking is very nearby (but limited).

In the heart of Richmond's Belle Isle Historic Park is where you'll find Belle Isle Beach. If you don't have the time to spend the day driving to the ocean, this is a wonderful alternative. A 54-acre island that now serves as the park formerly housed a Native American fishing community. There are hiking trails and several historical sites beside the magnificent urban beach.

Location: the middle of Belle Isle Historic Park in downtown Richmond

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

The 7.5-mile stretch known as Ocean View Beach in Norfolk is actually made up of several different beaches. There is a lot of coastlines available for swimming, beachcombing, sandcastle-building, and sunbathing.

The beach region has a long history, and at the end of the 19th century, a sizable amusement park was constructed there. It immediately became a favorite hangout for sailors at the Norfolk Navy Base. After the main roadway on I-264 was built, it provided rapid access to Virginia Beach, and now Ocean View tends to draw more residents and Virginians than out-of-state tourists. Previously, the beach was more popular with out-of-towners. The city also created a brand-new neighborhood in the 1990s called "East Beach," which was recognized as one of the top 7 restored beaches in the country by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

If you want the ease of parking, dining, beach access, hotel, and swimming all in close proximity, it is simple to discover a beautiful public beach. If you want to spend the entire day at the beach, the nearby Ocean View Park includes picnic tables and a bathhouse. If you wish to fish, you can hire tackle and use fishing piers. If not, you may enjoy some of the best people-watching in Norfolk at the Ocean View piers.

Location: Norfolk

Website: https://oceanviewbeachpark.org/

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

If you want to experience the salty air and the ocean wind, Bethel Beach has it all. It is one of the best beaches in Virginia. It is situated amid the limited stretch of shoreline and sand dunes that make up the Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve. Due to the winds that pass across the region, this shoreline is distinctive in that it is always changing. Since the spotless beach is a designated preservation area, there are no restrooms, trash cans, or changing rooms present along with the excellent beach conditions by the water and protected habitats.

A few hours at Bethel Beach are preferable to a whole day at the shore. Due to the 185 species of local and migrating birds that call the lagoons, bay waters, and small channels home, you may be able to see some uncommon animals while you are here. The public is welcome at Bethel Beach, and gravel parking lots are close by.

Location: Bethells Beach

Google rating: 4.3/5.0

Yorktown Beach is a two-acre public beach with a modest shoreline that is situated in ancient Yorktown. Families will enjoy this modest beach because it is close to eateries and bathrooms. There are pleasant picnic spaces and a fishing pier in addition to the beaches. Yorktown Beach is simple to get to. Parking is available in Yorktown public spaces, and a free shuttle will transport you to the beach. The most popular beach activity is swimming, but you may hire kayaks and paddleboards from a local operator as well. You can also go on a sunset sail or a historical boat tour on the York River as an additional beach outing.

The beach is ideal for boating, swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. Visitors can also use an open-air picnic area and an ADA-accessible fishing pier. To explore the neighborhood, you can hire bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards from Patriot Tours & Provisions. For a historical, pirate, or sunset sail on the York River, you may also reserve a seat on the Schooner Alliance. The beach provides complimentary trolley service to carry visitors and their beach equipment along with free public parking in a number of spaces throughout the town. Additionally, there are bathrooms, motels, bed & breakfasts, stores, and a number of restaurants close by. After requesting a special permit from York County, the beach picnic area is available year-round for company outings, picnics, family reunions, and other authorized uses.

Location: Historic Yorktown

Website: https://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/attractions/yorktown-beach

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

North Virginia Beach's First Landing State Park is situated on Cape Henry. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities at this 2,888-acre park. When you visit First Landing, you can go swimming, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or having a picnic. No matter how long you can stay—for a few hours or for a whole day—you can enjoy yourself in the park. You can spend the night in the park as well, either at a campsite or in one of the cottages. By arranging an overnight stay, you may avoid the busy pace of Virginia Beach's more densely populated districts while still being accessible to everything the region has to offer.

First Landing State Park is one of the few public access sites to the beach on the Chesapeake Bay. Families or anyone looking for a day at the beach without the Atlantic Ocean's surf should consider this beach. Additionally, compared to other beaches in Virginia, this one is less congested. Compared to the Virginia Atlantic Ocean beaches' hotel-dotted coasts, First Landing State Park's beach is more picturesque in its natural state. Sand dunes, maritime forest, and native plants including shrubs cover the coastline here. You should bring insect repellant with you to the beach because this beach is more susceptible to insects due to its more natural surroundings. Four boardwalks that span the sand to the waterfront make it simple to get to the beach. The Chesapeake Bay Center, which has parking and restrooms, is home to one of the main boardwalks.

Location: Cape Henry in North Virginia Beach

Website: https://www.first-landing-state-park.org/

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

On Chincoteague Island, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, you may enjoy one of the state's most distinctive beach experiences, where the ocean and the local fauna will make your day on the water even more enjoyable. Wild horses swimming and native birds flying overhead can be seen on Chincoteague Island, a National Wildlife Refuge. The island, one of Virginia's most visited, is close to Assateague Island, another island famous for its wild horses. Because Chincoteague is a barrier island, its terrain is characterized by dunes and grasses that grow there naturally. It is one of the most beautiful places in the state.

The National Park Service oversees the beach, which is great for swimming, tanning, beachcombing, and birdwatching. On the island, there are constantly activities taking place that might liven up a relaxing day at the beach. The annual Pony Swim in the summer is the most eagerly awaited occasion on the island. This is when a variety of events are planned around the wild horses swimming across the Assateague Channel to the island.

Location: Virginia's Eastern Shore

Website: https://www.chincoteague.com/

Tripadvisor rating: 5.0/5.0

Over 1,148 acres await exploration and enjoyment for the outdoor enthusiast visiting Smith Mountain Lake State Park, offering a lot of opportunities for enjoyment! There is much more to discover and enjoy close by, in addition to a beach day that is sure to delight and time spent on the water in a kayak or canoe that may sate that need for adventure tempered with tranquillity. When you want to squeeze every last delightful moment out of your Smith Mountain Lake getaway, take some time to incorporate the following neighboring stops into your schedule.

Smith Mountain Lake is one of the best beaches in Virginia. It is the second-largest lake in the state, and a cottage community surrounds it. Families and lovers of water sports will enjoy the lake's freshwater beaches. The lake is great for jet skiing, boating, and fishing, and there are various swimming spots there as well. There are numerous picnic sites and a public fishing pier. After a day on the lake, you can hang a hammock in the shade under one of the many trees at Smith Mountain Lake, which includes camping amenities.

Location: the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County

Website: https://smith-mountain-lake.com/

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5.0