Beaches Near Williamsburg, Virginia
Looking for a relaxing beach day near Williamsburg, Virginia? What a fun idea! When we moved to the East Coast, I found a handful of wonderful beaches surprisingly close to Williamsburg. After over ten years of exploring, here are my absolute favorites, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Jamestown Beach Park - 20-minute drive from Williamsburg
This is beach near Williamsburg blew me away with its family-friendly vibe. I love that it has a sandy shore plus a grassy area where we could relax out and enjoy the sun. In addition, not having to drive far with a car full of impatient kids, to me, is absolutely a plus.
Now, first things first, we left Colonial Williamsburg after lunch and drove just fifteen minutes south to the James River.
Was it crowded? Yes, inevitably it gets crowded on summer weekends when everyone heads out to cool off. But in many ways I liked seeing families grilling at the picnic areas and enjoying the pier. Jamestown Beach Park (Google Maps Pin) had that community feel and was heaps of fun. Best of all, it was super close to Williamsburg, making it an easy half day trip.
College Creek - 10-minute drive from Williamsburg
I was in awe of this beach which was even faster to reach from Williamsburg, just about 15 minutes by car. the beach is so beautiful and it quickly became one of my favorite romantic beaches near Williamsburg.
If you are starting from Jamestown Beach Park, you only need to drive about ten minutes along the Colonial Parkway to arrive at College Creek (Google Maps Pin).
I enjoyed sitting on the sand with a book while my husband and son waded into the water. If you can, visit on a weekday because I have to warn you that this beach is extremely popular on weekends.
What I loved best:
I loved being reminded how much natural beauty surrounds Williamsburg while visiting College Creek.
Yorktown Beach
This place was an absolute gem ! If you are in the mood for a 40-minute road trip, Chris and I both absolutely love Yorktown Beach, and have been many times.
Here you can enjoy swimming, boating, kayaking and sunbathing. Plus there is a fishing pier if your kids like fishing. In addition, Yorktown Beach (Google Maps Pin) is connected to Riverwalk Landing which has shops and heaps of dining choices. The path is about mile long.
If you want to rent a bike or go on a guided Segway tour, check out Patriot Tours & Provisions. For sunset cruises, check out Serenity (from $55).
My son and I loved being able to walk from the sand to the Riverwalk Landing for ice cream (of course!). Does it get crowded? Yes, VERY! But you can arrive early in the morning and have the beach almost to yourself for a while before everyone rolls in with their beach toys, chairs and picnics.
Buckroe Beach and Park - 50 minutes from Williamsburg
I completely fell for beach energy here! This Hampton are beach, less than an hour by car from Williamsburg, is one of the best beaches you can go to near Williamsburg. I have to warn you that on summer weekends, there's traffic and parking can be difficult.
But once you arrive, you can enjoy the boardwalk, stroll on the sand, and there's great swimming too. We especially appreciated the calm bay waters for swimming with our son on our trip to Buckroe Beach (Google Maps Pin).
The Buckroe Beach Park itself has picnic shelters and a playground.
What I loved best:
We stayed for sunset at the pier in the evening and it was well worth it for the stunning photos!
First Landing State Park - 1.5-hour drive from Williamsburg
I thought this beach was truly special! If you are a history buff like me, you will appreciate not only the natural beauty of this beach, but also it's history.
I loved learning that it’s the exact site where English settlers first landed in 1607.
You can enjoy over a mile of Chesapeake Bay beachfront. The waters of the bay are usually gentle in First Landing State Park (Google Maps Pin). In the summer, you can choose from guided kayak and eco-tours if you are feeling active.
What I loved best:
For me, First Landing State Park was one of the best beaches near Williamsburg for a relaxing beach road trip with family.
I loved walking along the trails through maritime forests near the beach, as well as cypress swamps, and heaping dunes.
North End
For me, this beach near Williamsburg, Virginia was a real standout. We started our weekend getaway early from Williamsburg, knowing North End was about a 1.5-hour drive, and the anticipation already felt like a dream.
The drive itself was part of the experience, passing quiet towns and coastal views, and by the time we arrived it felt like discovering a hidden gem.
First thing we did was park near the North End area by the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which is close but feels way more underrated and calm.
I loved how uncrowded it was, easily one of the best beaches near Williamsburg if you want a peaceful, family or romantic escape.
We walked along the sand first, soft and clean, with gentle waves, and it felt like magic compared to busier beach spots nearby.
What made it my favorite was the natural vibe, no loud crowds, just dunes, sea grass, and that cool ocean breeze you see in my photos.
Later we laid out our towels and relaxed for hours, and honestly this was one of the most joyful and affordable beach experiences we’ve had.
The water was perfect for swimming, especially if you’re visiting with kids].
We grabbed snacks and watched the sky change colors, and the sunset here felt spectacular and kind of unusual in the best way.
North End is near Virginia Beach but feels like its own secret spot, which makes it an amazing and underrated alternative to crowded shores.
By the end of the day we both agreed it was a brilliant idea to come here, and easily one of the absolute best coastal gems nearby.
What I loved best:
For me, North End was one of the best beaches near Williamsburg, Virginia. It truly was one of Virginia Beach’s hidden gems, blending simplicity, beauty, and a timeless seaside spirit.
