Regardless of solely having 112 miles of shoreline, Virginia is lined with pristine seashores. Combining lakes and the mighty Chesapeake Bay with sand alongside the Atlantic Ocean, there are a selection of selections for vacationers, however one factor’s for sure – it guarantees to be simple on the eyes.
Virginia is residence to a record-breaking seaside that’s so long as any on the east coast of the USA. It’s a behemoth that brings within the crowds and overshadows among the different lovely seashores in Virginia.
Tucked away alongside the coast are preserves and state parks the place you’ll be able to camp after your seaside day or gaze upon wild horses as they run alongside the sand. The vary of experiences obtainable is what makes Virginia such a enjoyable state to benefit from the seaside.
12. Yorktown Seashore
© ShutterstockOn the sides of historic Yorktown, Yorktown Seashore has all the things you’d need for a day on the sand. Simply steps away from retailers, eating places, and bars, the seaside comes with designated picnic areas, bogs, and a pier that juts out within the oft-dead nonetheless water.
The handy and free close by parking makes attending to Yorktown Seashore a breeze. Out of your parked automotive, you’ll be able to leap on a shuttle and be on the white sand very quickly. After laying down the seaside city, gaze throughout the pristine York River and the bridge. Swimming right here is nice, and you too can paddle alongside the river on a kayak or SUP.
After your day on the seaside, go to the Victory Monument and the Yorktown Battlefield Customer Middle.
11. Buckroe Seashore
© DreamstimeIn Hampton alongside the Chesapeake Bay, Buckroe Seashore is discovered on the sting of considered one of Virginia’s unique public parks. Earlier than it was a leisurely area, it was a base for among the nation’s first settlers and a fishing camp within the years main as much as the Civil Battle.
At the moment, it’s a preferred seaside spot, full with a stunning bridge that rapidly fills with anglers on a sunny day. The family-friendly seaside has a vibrant ambiance due to common live shows on the pavilion. Rental retailers provide seaside umbrellas, chairs, and kayaks so you’ll be able to paddle across the pier. Beachgoers can even discover close by eating places to replenish all through the day.
10. Westmoreland State Park
© ShutterstockWithin the Northern Neck area, Westmoreland State Park is a spot for adventurous seaside lovers. To achieve the gorgeous Fossil Seashore on the Potomac River, you’ll first should stroll alongside the scenic Huge Meadow Path, which is simply shy of a mile.
Upon arrival, you’ll discover considered one of Virginia’s prime shelling seashores. Younger and outdated can scavenge the seaside, hoping to seek out shark enamel from prehistoric occasions. Throughout the park, you too can get your palms on a kayak and paddle alongside the attractive coast to find the majestic Horsehead Cliffs. To maintain the enjoyable rolling, e book a cabin or arrange a tent for an evening beneath the celebs.
9. Bethel Seashore
Virginia Sea Grant / FlickrSurrounded by a protect, Bethel Seashore is an unspoiled haven ready to your footsteps. You gained’t discover a lot in the best way of facilities right here as the encircling habitat is protected, however what it lacks in picnic areas it makes up for in tranquility.
The slim speck of shoreline has the Atlantic on one aspect and rolling dunes on the opposite. The ocean breeze that rolls by way of ensures the dunes constantly shifts form.
Alongside the seaside, you’ll discover entry factors to lovely lagoons, again bays, and slim channels. The protect is residence to virtually 200 species of native and migratory chicken species, supplying you with loads to see and do past the common seaside expertise.
8. Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
© DreamstimeOn the decrease finish of Assateague Island is without doubt one of the most distinct experiences you’ll have at a seaside in Virginia. The Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is residence to wild horses that roam that one mile of glowing white sand.
A lot of your time right here shall be spent admiring the gorgeous horses as a lot as swimming and bathing within the solar, however as it’s a wildlife refuge, you’ll discover loads of motion simply behind the shoreline. It’s an excellent place to go crabbing or discover the close by dunes and marshes on foot. Migratory birds additionally flock to the island, creating some memorable birding alternatives.
7. Smith Mountain Lake Seashore
© ShutterstockAmong the best selections for non-ocean seashores within the state is Smith Mountain Lake Seashore. Curving across the shores of Virginia’s second greatest lake, the freshwater makes for marvelous swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayak explorations.
The seaside is cut up by a fishing pier, and also you’ll spot boats pottering within the heart of the lake. Charming cottages encompass the lakeshore and vacationers combine with weekenders, making a family-friendly but festive ambiance.
To flee the solar, you’ll be able to grasp up a hammock on the various surrounding bushes to take pleasure in some shade. You would even sleep in a single day on the campground and get up simply steps from the white sand.
6. Colonial Seashore
© ShutterstockAs a port city within the state’s Northern Neck, Colonial Seashore combines that traditional small-town really feel with a beautiful stretch of sand. It’s one of many closest seashores to Washington D.C. but is frequently ignored by vacationers preferring the coast across the well-known Virginia Seashore. Nevertheless, those who make the plunge is not going to be upset.
Colonial Seashore is a family-friendly vacation spot that mixes enjoyable swimming with water sports activities and epic sunrises. Alongside the seaside, you’ll discover fishing on the Municipal Pier and on the close by Potomac River Seashore. Beachgoers can even be a brief stroll from the George Washington Birthplace Nationwide Monument.
5. Cape Charles Seashore
© DreamstimeOn the jap shores of the countless Chesapeake Bay is the place you’ll discover the serene Cape Charles Seashore. The shallow waters are as calm because the seaside’s vibe. It’s an excellent place to go to take pleasure in some delicate white sand with out the hearty crowds discovered elsewhere alongside the coast.
Because it’s tucked away inside the bay, you gained’t discover a lot surf right here, making it an excellent swimming seaside. Rental retailers are discovered simply past the sand providing classes, excursions, and equipment, permitting you to get out on the bay in a number of methods, together with on a kayak or by windsurfing.
For those who’re touring along with your furry pal, Cape Charles Seashore is pet-friendly all winter lengthy. In the summertime, you have to come earlier than 9am and after 9pm.
4. Chesapeake Seashore
© DreamstimeHouse to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Chesapeake Seashore is extremely scenic within the morning mild. Even when you’re not an early chicken, the golden hour get up shall be price it as you watch the solar paint the jap horizon and mirror off the bridge.
In any other case often known as Stylish’s Seashore, this powdery stretch of sand spans for 2 miles from the bridge all the best way to the scenic Lynnhaven Inlet. After dawn, the shoreline slowly fills with beachgoers all in search of a special kind of motion. You’ll discover as many sunbathers and swimmers as these kiteboarding or windsurfing. It’s additionally a enjoyable spot to interrupt out the SUP or kayak for a noon paddle.
3. First Touchdown State Park
© ShutterstockNo state park in Virginia receives extra guests yearly than First Touchdown State Park. Part of that’s its wonderful historical past, however the different is the gorgeous shoreline. It was right here in 1607 that the primary English settlers arrived. In 1936, the park was established defending the cypress swamps and the seaside.
The seaside itself is discovered on Chesapeake Bay and is considered one of only a handful of public entry factors within the harbor. The bay offers a break from the Atlantic swell and nice swimming situations, particularly for younger ones.
To reach, you’ll stroll alongside a boardwalk throughout dunes and maritime shrubbery. Gone are the accommodations and beachfront bars. It’ll simply be you, nature, and the water. It doesn’t get significantly better than that!
2. Sandbridge Seashore
© ShutterstockYou solely should ask one native to study simply how beloved Sandbridge Seashore is amongst residents. Virginia Seashore might convey within the vacationers, however the distant sands of Sandbridge provide among the finest seaside days within the state.
Tucked away on the Currituck Banks Peninsula, Sandbridge Seashore is usually in comparison with the resplendent great thing about North Carolina’s Outer Banks. For good purpose too, due to the similarity of landscapes and lack of accommodations.
Sandbridge is 4.5 miles lengthy and has lifeguards unfold all through through the summer time months. To mix a seaside day with park facilities, you’ll even have entry to Little Island Park on the south finish of the seaside, together with False Cape State Park.
1. Virginia Seashore
© DreamstimeIn response to the Guinness E book of World Information, Virginia Seashore is the longest pleasure seaside on earth. Combining household pleasant and cheap day time enjoyable with a vibrant nightlife, Virginia Seashore is a fascinating place to be, at any time of day.
Not removed from Chesapeake Bay, the seaside has a simple attraction. Grass dunes fringe upon the sand and the enjoyable waves roll in with thrilling regularity, however a lot of what makes a seaside day right here nice extends past the sand and sea. The eating places alongside Virginia Seashore have a stellar popularity, whereas there may be additionally a three-mile boardwalk and mountaineering trails by way of the Again Bay Nationwide Refuge.
Vacationers will discover loads of lodging on the water from nice worth rooms to luxurious experiences.
Map of the Greatest Seashores in Virginia
Faqs
– Virginia Seashore Oceanfront — Virginia Seashore.
– Chincoteague Island — Japanese Shore.
– Sandbridge Seashore — Virginia Seashore.
– Ocean View Seashore — Norfolk.
– Chesapeake Seashore — Virginia Seashore.
– Cape Charles City Seashore — Cape Charles.
– Westmoreland State Park — Montross.
Swimming prohibited in a part of the Virginia Seashore Oceanfront due to micro organism ranges. Town’s Public Well being Division is warning folks to not swim or wade within the ocean between eighth and twenty second streets – a big swath of the resort strip – as a result of micro organism ranges exceed the state water-quality requirements.
– Virginia Seashore Oceanfront.
– Sandbridge Seashore.
– Chick’s Seashore.
– First Touchdown State Park.
– Croatan Seashore.
– False Cape State Park.
– North Finish Seashore.
– Little Island Park.
Virginia Seashore: Which Is Higher? It is as much as you! For those who’re extra of a laid again form of individual, who’s in search of a calming getaway for the entire household, an Outer Banks trip is what you want! However, when you’d reasonably make a journey the place there’s all the time plenty of motion, VA Seashore is the best way to go.
The Virginia Seashore Division of Public Well being has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Oceanfront between eighth Avenue and twenty second Avenue. Current testing performed by the Well being Division confirmed that micro organism ranges within the water exceeded the State Water High quality Requirements.
South Virginia Seashore is generally accommodations/ condos, very busy space, fashionable with the youthful crowd. North Virginia Seashore is generally houses, no less than one lodge. Its extra quiet, household pleasant, and its only a 10-15 minute drive to the resturants and retailers in South VA Seashore.
Conclusion
Regardless of solely having 112 miles of shoreline, Virginia is lined with pristine seashores. Combining lakes and the mighty Chesapeake Bay with sand alongside the Atlantic Ocean, there are a selection of selections for vacationers, however one factor’s for sure – it guarantees to be simple on the eyes.