One of the best things about living in Hampton Roads (Tidewater, Coastal Virginia, the 757… and whatever else we’re calling it these days) is the beaches!
They don’t have the white sand of Florida or the waves of Hawaii, but they are beautiful in their own right. Most visitors end up at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, but that’s just one of our many beaches that tourists and locals can enjoy.
For the purposes of this post “high-season” is approximately May-September, while “off-season” is October-April. During my hometown takeover I visited my favorite beaches just for you! Here’s your local’s guide to the best beaches in the Hampton Roads area.
Yorktown Waterfront – Yorktown, VA
Pros:
- Quiet beach in a quaint town
- Near Yorktown Battlefield Colonial National Historical Park
- Restrooms nearby
Cons:
- No dogs allowed on the beach any time of year
- No loud noise or games that might disturb others
- Small shoreline
Grandview Nature Preserve Beach – Hampton, VA
Pros:
- Quiet beach with few waves
- Less people – local’s beach
- Free parking
Cons:
- .4 mile walk to the beach
- Dogs in off-season only
- Limited parking
- No bathrooms
Buckroe Beach – Hampton, VA
Pros:
- Quiet beach in the bay with few waves
- Great bathrooms
- Children’s play area
- Shelters
- Bandstand for events
- Lots of shoreline
- Ample free parking
Cons:
- Dogs in off-season only
- Can be busy in the summer
- No tents, umbrellas, etc.
- Near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel with heavy traffic most days
Fort Monroe Beach – Hampton, VA
Pros:
- Quiet beach with few waves
- Historic location with more to see and do than the average beach
- Less people – local’s beach
- Free parking
Cons:
- Dogs in off-season only
- Short shoreline
- Porta-potties only
- Small chance of finding munitions
- Near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel with heavy traffic most days
East Ocean View Beaches – Norfolk, VA
Pros:
- Quiet beach with few waves
- Less people – local’s beach
- Free parking
Cons:
- Limited parking
- Busier beaches in the summer are nearby
- No public bathrooms at some streets
- Near the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel with heavy traffic most days
Aeries on the Bay Beach – Virginia Beach, VA (Local’s Top Pick)
Pros:
- Quiet beach with few waves
- Less people – local’s beach
- No postings about off-season dog rules
- Free parking
Cons:
- Very limited parking
- No bathrooms
First Landing State Park Beach – Virginia Beach, VA (NHJR Top Pick)
Pros:
- Quiet beach in the bay with few waves
- Only (advertised) year-round dog-friendly beach in Hampton Roads
- Great bathrooms with showers
- Decent amount of shoreline
- Camping available on-site
- Ample parking
Cons:
- Paid parking year round
- Can be busy in the summer
Virginia Beach Oceanfront – Virginia Beach, VA
Pros:
- The hot vacation site
- Decent waves year-round
- Great bathrooms with showers
- Plenty of hotels, restaurants and activities
- 2 play areas for children – 2nd St play area is handicapped accessible
- Fitness areas along the beach
- Beautiful boardwalk for walking, running, biking and skating
- Huge shoreline (4 miles – 60 blocks of beach)
- Parking within 1-3 blocks of the beach
- Dogs allowed on boardwalk from 6am-10am in high-season
Cons:
- Paid parking year round
- Very busy in the summer
- Dogs in off-season only on boardwalk and beach anytime of day
Croatan Beach – Virginia Beach, VA
Pros:
- Surfing beach
- Great bathrooms with showers
- Decent amount of shoreline
- Ample parking
Cons:
- Paid parking during high-season
- Dogs in off-season only
- Not much room for swimming – primarily a surfer’s beach
Sandbridge Beach (Little Island) – Virginia Beach, VA
Pros:
- The family beach
- Decent waves
- Play areas
- Shelters
- Great bathrooms with showers
- Decent amount of shoreline
- Plenty of large rental homes for family vacations
- Ample parking
Cons:
- Paid parking during high-season
- Dogs only in off-season
- Can be busy in the summer
- Traffic can be bad since it’s a 2 lane road to Sandbridge and further out to Little Island
Bonus Beaches – The Outer Banks
The Outer Banks are only 1-3 hours drive from the Hampton Roads area and provide more great shorelines, fun at the huge dunes of Jockey’s Ridge, The Wright Brother’s Memorial at Kitty Hawk and more. It can make a great day trip but leave early since traffic can be awful in the high season. Secret locals tip – avoid the toll down to The Outer Banks.
So there you have it – the best beaches for whatever you want in the Hampton Roads area. There are even more to discover but these are our tops spots and local recommendations for hitting the beach whether you’re visiting or live in Hampton Roads.
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