Best Beaches Near Williamsburg, Virginia

There’s actually a surprising amount of choice when it comes to beaches in Williamsburg, and it can be quite a challenge to decide which beach to visit on any given day. Each is the best in its own category, whether you are looking for family fun, a romantic picnic or something historic.

Beaches near Williamsburg, Virginia are some of the most unique and surprising spots to enjoy the water in coastal Virginia. They’re easily some of my favorite escapes when visiting the historic area.

While Williamsburg is best known for its colonial charm, living history, and cultural attractions, it also happens to be close to several beautiful beaches that make the region stand out as more than just a history lover’s destination. These beaches are great place for sun, sand, and relaxation.

From the family-friendly James River beaches to the wide Atlantic Ocean shores just a short drive away, there’s a unique mix of local favorites and well-known coastal gems. These amazing beaches offer everything from swimming and kayaking to long walks, fishing, and simply enjoying a laid-back day by the water.

Whether you want something close and convenient or you’re up for a drive to Virginia Beach, the options near Williamsburg deliver some of the best and most unique coastal experiences in the state. As a lover of beaches, these are my favorite ways to round out a trip to Virginia’s Historic Triangle.

Beaches Under 15 Minutes from Williamsburg, Virginia:

Jamestown Beach Park - 15-minute drive from Williamsburg

We left Colonial Williamsburg in the late afternoon and drove just fifteen minutes south, the road winding through woods before opening to the James River.

There was a moment at Jamestown Beach when I looked out across the James River and forgot, just briefly, that I was only a few miles from colonial reenactors and fife music. The water was wide and glittering, the sand scattered with sunbathers and kids building crooked castles. The air smelled faintly of brine and grilled hot dogs.

This is a beach built for slow afternoons. Locals brought pop-up tents and card games. I found a shady picnic table under a pine tree, close enough to hear the waves but far enough to avoid the seagull drama near the snack stand. I took off my shoes and thought, "You don't have to go far to shift your state of mind."

Lunch was a BLT from The Carrot Tree in Jamestown, thick-cut bacon, juicy tomatoes, and just enough mayo to be messy without regret. The bread was toasted warm, the lettuce cold and crisp, and the whole thing smelled like summer on a plate.

Jamestown Beach Park At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 10 minutes
• Address: 2205 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
• Best Time to Visit: Weekdays, mid-morning or late afternoon
• Vibe: Casual, picnic-friendly, family-centered
• Highlights: Calm river swimming, shaded tables, scenic pier
• Facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, snack bar
• Cost: Free
• Food Nearby: Carrot Tree for sandwiches and baked goods

College Creek - 10-minute drive from Williamsburg

We left Jamestown Beach Park in the late afternoon and drove about ten minutes along the Colonial Parkway, where trees arched overhead and the James River gleamed through breaks in the forest.

“Is this even allowed?” I asked myself as I pulled off the Colonial Parkway and followed the line of parked cars. College Creek doesn’t announce itself. There’s no sign, no lifeguard, no real facilities, just a bend in the river where the sand dips gently into the water and locals come to escape without a fuss.

I laid out a towel and watched the James River slide past like it had all the time in the world. The current was a little strong farther out, so I stayed close to shore, where the water was warm and brown and gently swirled around my ankles. The breeze moved the trees just enough to shade the whole scene like a watercolor.

I brought a sandwich from The Cheese Shop in Merchants Square: roast beef with cheddar and house dressing on crusty French bread. The smell of sharp cheese and tangy sauce hit me the second I opened the paper wrap. It was salty, chewy, and deeply satisfying, even if I had to swat away a few determined flies between bites.

College Creek At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 10–15 minutes
• Address: Colonial Parkway, near College Creek pull-off
• Best Time to Visit: Early or late in the day, limited parking
• Vibe: Hidden, relaxed, no-frills
• Highlights: Natural riverbank, minimal crowds, quiet water
• Facilities: None, pack in, pack out
• Cost: Free
• Food Nearby: Grab sandwiches from The Cheese Shop in town

North End - 1.5-hour drive from Williamsburg

We left Williamsburg in the late morning and drove an hour and a half southeast, the flat tidewater roads giving way to glimpses of dunes and sea oats.

North End isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need to be. This is where locals go when they want the sand without the circus. The boardwalk and resort bustle fade as you move north, and the beach stretches wide and open, backed by quiet dunes and elegant beach houses instead of T-shirt shops and fried seafood signs.

I parked along a residential street, careful to obey the signs, and walked a short path over the dunes. The wind carried the smell of salt and sunscreen, and the beach felt like it belonged to the people who knew how to find it. I watched a group play paddleball, a dog dig furiously in the sand, and thought, “This is what summer looks like when it doesn’t need to prove anything.”

Lunch was a caprese sandwich from Leaping Lizard Café, picked up earlier on Shore Drive. The basil was still fragrant, the tomato sweet, and the mozzarella soft enough to press into the bread with every bite. I sat in the sand, legs stretched long, and let the flavors mix with the salt in the air.

North End At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Address: Northern end of Virginia Beach, access from 57th–89th Streets
• Best Time to Visit: Morning or golden hour for peace and light
• Vibe: Residential, uncrowded, slow
• Highlights: Quiet sand, local crowd, calm water
• Facilities: None, pack accordingly
• Cost: Free (street parking may be limited)
• Food Nearby: Leaping Lizard Café on Shore Drive

Yorktown Beach

We left Williamsburg in the late morning and drove about half an hour southeast, following the Colonial Parkway along the James River until it opened into Yorktown.

At Yorktown Beach, you can swim where ships once battled, where trade and tides both shaped a nation. There’s something grounding about sitting in the sand here, knowing you're just downriver from centuries of stories. The beach is small but manicured, lined with soft beige sand and a walkway perfect for slow strolls with ice cream in hand.

Families laid out towels while couples lounged on benches. Paddleboarders moved past at a relaxed pace, and kids darted in and out of the surf with squeals that echoed off the stone seawall. I sat under a blue-and-white umbrella and thought, “Some beaches whisper, this one narrates.”

I grabbed lunch at Water Street Grille just steps from the beach, a margherita flatbread still warm from the oven. The mozzarella bubbled and browned at the edges, and the smell of basil hit before the plate even landed on the table. Each bite was hot, herby, and just a little smoky from the brick oven. I walked it off along the pier, watching the sailboats come and go.

Yorktown Beach At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 25 minutes
• Address: 331 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690
• Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early evenings
• Vibe: Historic, walkable, family-friendly
• Highlights: Small beach, river views, nearby restaurants and shops
• Facilities: Restrooms, showers, parking, lifeguards (seasonal)
• Cost: Free
• Food Nearby: Water Street Grille for pizza or seafood

First Landing State Park - 1.5-hour drive from Williamsburg

We left Yorktown in the morning and drove about an hour southeast, the road hugging stretches of marsh and pine forest before opening toward the Atlantic.

I didn’t expect to find a beach tucked behind a forest trail, but First Landing State Park always manages to surprise me. I started the morning hiking through cypress swamp, Spanish moss trailing from the trees like the park’s own quiet language. Then the path opened to the Chesapeake Bay, and just like that, I was back in the sand.

The beach here is soft and golden, with gentle waves that never seem in a rush. Families build sandcastles, runners loop back from the dunes, and the light filters through pines in a way that makes even the air feel slower. I stretched out near the shoreline and thought, “This is where you go when you don’t want to choose between trees and tides.”

After swimming, I drove a few minutes up Shore Drive and picked up a chicken pesto panini from Taste. The smell of roasted chicken and garlic hit the moment I opened the box, and the toasted bread crackled perfectly when I bit in. I ate under a pine, still damp from the water, and felt like I’d gotten two trips in one.

First Landing State Park At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
• Best Time to Visit: Mornings for hiking, afternoon for beach
• Vibe: Nature-filled, peaceful, layered
• Highlights: Beach and trails in one place, great for low-key swimming
• Facilities: Restrooms, showers, trails, parking
• Cost: $7–$10 parking fee
• Food Nearby: Taste on Shore Drive for gourmet sandwiches

Buckroe Beach and Park - 1-hour drive from Williamsburg

We left First Landing in the late morning and drove about forty minutes north, crossing bridges where the Chesapeake Bay spread wide and glimmering.

There’s something nostalgic about Buckroe. It’s got that classic beach-town energy, kids with ice cream on their faces, kites tugging at the sky, and music playing faintly from someone’s Bluetooth speaker. But it doesn’t feel overdone. Just lived-in, loved, and always ready to host one more lazy summer afternoon.

The beach itself is long and tidy, with soft sand and calm, bay-fed water that’s ideal for wading or floating. I stretched out on a striped towel and watched pelicans dive for fish, while the breeze carried the scent of saltwater and hot pretzels. I remember thinking, “This beach doesn’t try to impress you, it just wants you to stay a while.”

I grabbed lunch from Mango Mangeaux in nearby Phoebus, a crab cake sandwich on brioche with a side of seasoned fries. The sandwich smelled like Old Bay and lemon zest, and the crab cake was thick, crisp on the outside, tender in the middle. I ate it under the picnic pavilion, shoes kicked off, hair still salty from the bay.

Buckroe Beach and Park At a Glance

• Drive time from Williamsburg: 45 minutes
• Address: 100 S 1st St, Hampton, VA 23664
• Best Time to Visit: Afternoons for people-watching, evenings for sunset
• Vibe: Friendly, retro, local-loved
• Highlights: Big open beach, playground, gentle surf
• Facilities: Restrooms, parking, picnic shelters
• Cost: Free
• Food Nearby: Mango Mangeaux for coastal comfort food

Beaches Near Williamsburg: Conclusion

I came to Williamsburg chasing history, but I found something else too, places to pause, breathe, and stretch out under a wide sky. The beaches here don’t shout for attention. They whisper. They show up tucked behind pine trees, along winding rivers, or in the quiet corners of familiar towns. I floated in water that felt like it belonged to a slower century, ate sandwiches with wet hands, and let the days unfold at their own pace. And somewhere between the historic tours and the shoreline stillness, I realized this corner of Virginia knows how to hold both stories and silence, and sometimes, that's exactly what I need.

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