Best Beaches in Virginia
Searching for the best beaches in Virginia to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! Virginia’s beaches blend Atlantic beauty with a touch of Southern charm...you'll find soft sands, refreshing ocean breezes, lively boardwalks, and an inviting coastal atmosphere. Here are the beaches I recommend from our recent four week road trip, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve is one of the last undeveloped stretches of Chesapeake Bay shoreline and I loved my day trip to Virginia’s Middle Peninsula because it's so unspoilt, offering swimming, sunbathing and exploring the tidal pools.
From my base in Richmond, it was just a short 30-minute drive to the preserve, and I spent the day wandering the soft dunes, spotting herons and ospreys gliding overhead, watching tiny crabs dart across the tidal flats, and walking along the narrow spit of sand that seemed to stretch endlessly into Chesapeake Bay.
I thought this preserve felt like stepping straight into a dreamscape — wild, windswept, and beautifully untamed with a long stretch of sandy shoreline gaving way to salt marshes alive with birdsong, and the rhythmic crash of waves. Bethel Beach is one of those rare coastal spots that still feels raw and untouched, where nature takes center stage and you can lose yourself in the vastness of sky and sea.
- Location Map
- How Many Days: A half-day to full day is perfect for exploring
- Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve Website
Local tip: You should know that the preserve didn’t have visitor facilities or lifeguards, so it was very much a “leave-no-trace” type of experience.
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was walking along the quiet 1.5-mile stretch of beach at low tide, when the sandbars glowed golden in the afternoon light!
2. Ocean View Beach
I think that Ocean View Beach is one of the best Beaches in Virginia. Why? What sets Ocean View apart is its community vibe, and here you’ll find families picnicking, anglers casting from the pier, and children wading in the shallow waters.
Ocean View Beach felt like a perfect blend of small-town charm and seaside energy, a place where golden sands meet gentle waves and the day drifts by at an easy, sun-drenched pace. There was something nostalgic about Ocean View Beach with the laughter from the nearby pier, the scent of salt and boardwalk snacks, and the wide horizon where the Chesapeake meets the sky.
From my base at 2-star Best Western Plus Holiday Sands Inn & Suites Norfolk, it was only a short drive to the shoreline, but it felt worlds away from city bustle. I spent the day strolling the long, crescent-shaped Ocean View Beach, wading into calm, shallow waters, and watching pelicans skim the waves. Later, I wandered along the Ocean View Fishing Pier, feeling the boards creak softly beneath my feet as the sun slipped low over the bay.
- Best Airport: Norfolk International (ORF)
- Map and Directions
- Ocean View Beach Website
What I loved best:
My favorite highlight were the sunsets over the bay, usually orange and pink.
3. Chesapeake Beach, Virginia
I love that the vibe at Chesapeake Beach is so cozy and unspoiled, perfect for relaxing without crowds, while still so close to restaurants like Waterman's Surfside Grille and Chix on the Beach (their hummus is the best!).
We checked into Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites, 4-star hotel for two nights and enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, and long shoreline walks at Chesapeake Beach, and because the bay waters are gentler than the ocean, it’s great for kids or anyone who prefers a quieter beach day.
- Map and Directions
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May–September for warm water and lively atmosphere
What I loved best:
I loved that Chesapeake Beach felt like stumbling upon a coastal secret with an easygoing spirit of a neighborhood hideaway, where colorful cottages peek out from behind the dunes and the rhythm of the waves sets the pace for the day.
4. First Landing State Park
I found First Landing State Park sort of mysterious in a way with its mix of maritime forest, cypress swamps, and golden dunes that completely won me over.
We drove just 10 minutes from Chesapeake Beach, Virginia to First Landing State Park and I loved how visiting this park felt like stepping into a living tapestry of history and wilderness all at once. (It's the place where English colonists first landed in 1607.)
We hiked along the easy Bald Cypress Trail, where twisted trees rose out of mirror-like swamps, and it was cool to see sandy dunes, tidal marshes, and bay waters all in one place, and I paused at the historic markers that commemorate the First Landing of the English colonists.
- Map and Directions
- Time of Year to Visit: Spring through fall for the best weather, though winter brings peaceful solitude
- First Landing State Park Website
For me, First Landing offers the best of both worlds: a beach for relaxing, plus an extensive trail system to see habitats and walk through history which is why I think it's one of the best beach trips in Virginia. Plus we could enjoy Chic’s Beach and First Landing State Park while staying at the same hotel, the 4-star Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites which made our beach weekend getaway more relaxing with less driving.
5. Buckroe Beach, Virginia
Just 40 minutes from First Landing State Park, Buckroe Beach had such a laid-back, local charm—it felt like stepping back into a classic seaside getaway, and I loved how families spread out picnic blankets, kids splashed in the surf and the beachfront park, with its playgrounds and shaded picnic areas, added to the welcoming, family-friendly vibe. We spend two days at The Landing at Hampton Marina, a 3.5-star hotel in Hampton.
What I loved best:
In the summer, you can catch a festival or concert here and sunrises over the Chesapeake Bay are especially beautiful if you are an early riser!
6. Westmoreland State Park
We visited Westmoreland State Park on a different road trip while we were based further north in Fredericksburg, VA (a 45-minute drive away), and I loved how the feel here is completely different with bluffs, quiet woodlands, and a wide river horizon. I hiked along the scenic Bluff Trail, which winds along dramatic cliffs with sweeping views over the Potomac River. We enjoyed the solitude of Westmoreland State Park and savored our picnic sandwiches we brought with us from our home in Fredericksburg, VA.
- Directions and Map
- Time of Year to Visit: Spring through fall for the best weather; fall brings beautiful foliage
- Westmoreland State Park website
What I loved best:
Don't miss the view from Horsehead Cliffs, one of the most photographed spots in the region.
7. Sandbridge Beach
Back in Virginia Beach area but 30 minutes south, Sandbridge Beach was one my favorite Virginia beaches! Why? I thought this stretch of coastline was like something out of a dream with its golden dunes rolling toward the horizon and the vast Atlantic spreading out in shifting shades of blue! We stayed 25 minute away at 2-star Schooner Inn for two nights and stopped at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center along the way which our son loved. But you can also look for a vacation rental closer to or right on Sandbridge Beach.
- Directions and Map
- How Many Days: 2 days to enjoy both the beach and nearby parks
- Sandbridge Beach website
What I loved best:
I loved that Sandbridge offers a more secluded coastal experience and is ideal for anyone seeking a quieter retreat on the Atlantic...I could see why it's known as “the Outer Banks of Virginia".
8. Cape Charles Beach
Cape Charles Beach is calm and welcoming, with soft sands sloping gently into the Chesapeake Bay, and I loved how instead of the roaring Atlantic surf, the water here is quiet and glassy—perfect for wading, watching kids play, or just floating with the sun overhead.
From Sandbridge, I drove a hour and 30 minutes north across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and into the charming town of Cape Charles where I stayed for the afternoon, wandering the small beachside park, dipping into the warm shallows, and watching the rhythm of the bay.
- Directions and Map
- Time of Year to Visit: Late spring through early fall for the warmest water and liveliest atmosphere
What I loved best:
I loved how Cape Charles Beach enjoys peaceful bay waters and spectacular sunsets, making evenings here especially magical, and just steps from the sand, you’ll find a historic downtown full of boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants that add to the town’s welcoming vibe.
9. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
From Cape Charles, we drove north along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, crossing causeways until I reached Assateague Island and the refuge entrance, and we based ourselves at 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites Chincoteague-Waterfront for two days. We spent the whole time exploring along the Wildlife Loop, hiking the woodland trails, and relaxing on the large beach.
- Map and Directions
- Time of Year to Visit: Spring and fall for bird migrations, summer for beach fun and pony events
- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Website
From birdwatching to biking, kayaking to beachcombing, Chincoteague offers something for everyone, and it’s also home to the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim in July, a beloved tradition that has drawn visitors for decades.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are the best beaches in Virginia... In the end, what I love most about Virginia’s beaches is the variety. They offer something for everyone, whether you’re drawn to the calm Chesapeake Bay, the spectacular stretches of the Atlantic, or the hidden gems tucked into small more remote coastal towns.
I recommend planning two separate road trips or many day trips like we did but I organized this post so that you can see all these stunning Virginia beaches in a few days if you are up for some driving.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
