The Tastiest Beaches in Virginia Beach

Carova Beach

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"By far the best beach on the coast! It is wide open and desolate at times, but that's the beauty of it. The sunrises and sunsets are awe-inspiring.I love that you can drive your four wheel drive vehicles here. Ten day passes are $150 and worth every penny. You can see wild horses here from time to time. It's very peaceful and worth the drive."

Sandbridge Beach

★★★★☆ 4.4 (19)

"Sandbridge is my beach. My local spot. Where I go when someone wants to see the ocean. It's not very touristy, instead it's a long stretch of beach with beach houses backing up to it, minimal stores and just miles and miles of beach to walk or swim or surf. You can follow Sandpiper Rd all the way to the Back Bay National Wildlife Rufuge and the Sandbridge Little Island Fishing Pier at Little Island Park. They host some surf competitions here and there are some beach volleyball courts you can put nets on. There is parking in a city lot that is pay during the day but free after 5 or so. If you come at sunset like me, it's never a problem. They also have some restrooms open during the day and some outhouses on occasion. Beautiful beach area and nice for taking a break. It can get super crowded at peak times on nice days and holidays. And parking is an issue then. So be warned. People tend to overflow park in the residential areas lining the narrow streets during summer and it is not appreciated by the locals who live here year-round. There are about five little shops right at this spot - a market, a non-chain ice cream shop, a Ben and Jerry's, a gift shop or two. It's not the VAB oceanfront. It's all about the ocean here. There are condos on one side and tons of large beach houses for rent on the streets up and down. Down the street headed away from the water on Sandbridge Rd you'll find the rental property main office with kayaks out front for rent and a small taco truck called Bandito's. Further down Sandbridge rd you'll find a few small farmers markets and a few local gems like Lago Mar Pizza, Pungo Pizza, Back Bay Gourmet (lunch, brunch and dinner), The Bee and the Biscuit (brunch spot), Sawdust Road (coffee shop) and a Harris Teeter and Food Lion for essentials. If you're really feeling adventurous put in Blue Pete's - loved by locals with sometimes live music and great food. Owned by two local brothers - this is a gem on the water with great fresh seafood. Very family and kid-friendly. This is a beautiful area but if you are from out of town - please be careful on the windy, narrow Sandbridge road leading to and from the beach and the rentals - accidents happen on it all the time."

Kiptopeke State Park

★★★★☆ 4 (67)

"Our favorite places to camp in VA are state parks and this is one of our very favorites. We've been here several times and even have a favorite spot :). This is one of only 2 state parks in the state with full hookups (I wish so many others would get on board with that). That being said, make reservations early!Most sites are fairly level and all have fire rings and picnic tables. Most sites also accommodate larger RVs, especially the C loop (the one with the sewer hookups). We drag a 32' fifth wheel and have no problems, and we've seen several larger rigs (including big class As) get in and out with no trouble at all.The beautiful thing about this park is all of the many activities it offers. There is lots of history here (research the concrete ships - they are amazing). Several well marked trails cross cross the park (and most all are level and rated easy to navigate) - our dogs love them. During the season, there is a nice swimming beach and you can kayak out to the ships. Fishing is big here as well and the boat ramp is well kept with ample boat trailer parking.Again, one of the nicest VA state parks and a good home base for adventurers on the ES. Do yourself a favor and skip the KOA down the road (they are packed in like sardines) and book here. Just do it early!"

Willoughby Beach

★★★★★ 4.5 (2)

"Willoughby Beach is definitely a paradise, I seen many sunsets in places but none are better than here in Norfolk, VA. When each day ends at the Sunset passes I try to count my blessings and I know my life has been blessed beyond measure!"

Yorktown Beach

★★★★☆ 4.3 (51)

"I loooove the beach, and VB can be quite a drive (okay, it's the tunnels and traffic I cannot stand, really). But this place is just what you need if you're craving a mini getaway from the hustle and bustle! Perfect for a pleasant stroll along the beach/boardwalk, or if you want to catch some rays; there's something here for everyone.Along the beach there's a few points of interest for the History buffs - there's signs that explain the history of Yorktown beach, and with Yorktown Battlefield Colonial Park not far away, there's no better reason to make a day out of it.There's free parking available, picnic tables and picnic areas, and also a Ben and Jerry's store across from the beach (among a few other restaurants) - I don't need an excuse to come down here and enjoy a sunset with an ice cream or a drink, but if there ever was one, that would be it! Sunset views are gorgeous!!!"

Jamestown Beach

★★★★☆ 4.4 (23)

"Had well-priced concessions, outdoor water pickets to rinse off sand and bathrooms. Thick-sand present, along with picnic tables and char-grills on the upper grass area. $10 all day (includes re-entry) beach-front parking for non-williamtonings. Parking staff was very friendly and plenty of parking, however not shaded so definitely bring a windshield solar reflecter."

Croatan Beach

★★★★★ 4.6 (28)

"What an ethereal sunrise you can watch from Croatan Beach. It was such a breathtaking view. And the general friendliness of the local residents alone are noteworthy. I was so gob smacked by the view that I didn't even care to think about the quicksand I got my foot stuck in. LOL. There I was, stuck in a quicksand with two beagles lunging in total different directions and the nice lady could have just laughed at the silly tourist like me. Most in say, Annapolis or Kent Island would have done the stink eye stare and walk away. The nice woman there actually offered to help me instead. I think that's really when I felt compelled to seriously entertain living in the coastal Virginia area. I've come across so many fellow military wives and veterans raving over beaches in San Diego or Hawaii and complain about being out in Norfolk. Um hello? Norfolk might be not far but it isn't quite the same as Virginia Beach. Like Croatan Beach, for example. Personally, I love how there's so much that VB offers without the crazy high living expenses in San Diego. Plus it's like East of Orlando without the oddly snooty folks and comes with continental season. A humid weather similar to Japan during the summer that yields beautiful Somei Yoshino promenade nearby in the Spring. Anyway. Enough with me gushing. I am looking forward to returning again is what I was trying to convey!"

City of Virginia Beach

★★★★☆ 3.8 (41)

"I know a guy who thinks that all virgins are b**ches. Male or female. He'll often say "wait, she's a Virgin yeah? B**ch." I think that's where this city got its name. Virgin, yeah? B**ch. Makes sense.I never really thought to visit Virginia Beach until I had a concert here, and it became one of the best I had ever played. On subsequent tours I always made sure I came back here and it has always been very good. For this reason I really love playing concerts in this area. The main downside for me is that it is a massive military presence, and as a pacifist it's just a little sad to be around all that. Whereas some people might feel safe because of that, it just makes me feel uneasy and like there is a lot wrong with the world. And I mean by the way we see the world and respond to it. Anything that reminds me of war reminds me that we - not others, but we, because it's we that we can control - are doing things all wrong. And being lied to. A lot. Not by the military but by those who lie to the military as they lie to us.Now I have to give it a 5 star rating, anyway, because of the amazing concerts I've had here.Another negative experience was in the beach areas where we had a few intimidating experiences. It doesn't seem the safest place especially in the offseason. But it is still really nice to visit the ocean and I'm looking forward to coming back to the region so I can do some extensive Food Tours. So far I've only found one thing worth mentioning which was the barbecue at Johnson's down in Chesapeake. And my friend Carl in Chesapeake, shout out! And my darling Rosie, hiiii!Anyway, chesapeake of the devil, I have to go chat Rosie and Carl now. We're having a threeway. Chat that is. Skype. Actually I think I'll skip skype."

False Cape State Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (20)

"I have been missing out! While looking on the Back Bay Wilderness Refuge site I found False Cape and thought it was pretty cool that the only way in from Back Bay is through bike or hike. We rode in from Back Bay the 4.5 miles or so via bike and found the tidy visitor center and restrooms which had recently closed for the day (the bathrooms are kept open). We took the 0.7 mile trail to the Atlantic Ocean and found a bike rack and a virtually deserted beach. Plenty of campsites covered with trees and shade were nearby and some camping on the beach is also allowed with permit. There are miles and miles of trails. We ran out of time but this was only a first visit! The gravel road in is easy to travel and well maintained. I will be back again and again! Beautiful park."

Savage Neck Dunes

★★★★☆ 4.4 (5)

"Full disclosure. We weren't able to fully experience this area because sunset was already happening. If coming from downtown Cape Charles, the parking lot will be on your right. Look for the kiosk sign, it's a small dirt parking lot. It's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The lot is said to house 8 cars. Trails are not paved and consist of a mixture of dirt, root laden and sand terrain. There is a small boardwalk to cross on one of the trails that leads to beach access that veers to the right. The trail that leads to the right is roughlyHalf a mile to slightly a 3/4 mile to the beach. I recommend wearing shoes and not flip flops. I did have shoes on. The starting trails have plenty of shade. We only took one of the three trails due to limited time and it was dark by the time we made it back. They do close the gate by sunset. I happened to be too busy looking at my phone on the way back and actually walked right into the gate. If you do go to catch the sunset, make sure you give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to get back or else you will be stuck using your cellphone flashlight to find your way back or maybe bring a headlight just in case. Also, I didn't have cellphone service, so make sure if you visit in the evening, that you let people know of your whereabouts, prior to heading out in case of an emergency. On the website they say there are no bathrooms, but I happened to see a port a potty on one part of the trail. It looks like a nice place to take walks and explore. I would like to go back and check out the other trails."

Huntington Beach

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (9)

"This place is fine if you know what you're in for - it's not the ocean people, it's on the James River. So no, you don't go hit this place up if you want to go swimming. But it is a nice spot to bring a beach chair, put your feet in the sand, read a book and watch the sunset. There are some great ones on the JR, so it's a quick easy way to relax. We hop over here after hitting Fort Fun with the kiddo often because the playground is usually packed and insane (read - narcotics for toddlers), so playing for a few minutes quietly in the sand makes the transition home smoother. Do keep an eye out for litter though - some days it's worse than others."

Buckroe Beach and Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (89)

"I've never been to Buckroe Beach though I have heard about it from friends in the area and some folks who play beach volleyball here. It was very very crowded with tons of traffic and little parking when we visited at around 4pm. We did snag a spot and walked over to the pavilion and cute little lighthouse (which I though was real until we arrived). It's a cute, small local's beach for the folks around and the pavilion was nice for shows and festivals it's very large. Probably wouldn't drive over from Virginia Beach though if a day at the beach is what I had in mind."

Corolla Beach

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Corolla (pronounced: "Kuh-RAH-Luh") is one of the most popular beaches in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Its has 24 miles of unspoiled shoreline & the communities are charming & the vibes are always good!There is private beach access in front of every little community or if you want to have a good day adventure then drive to where the road ends & and you can go to the 4-wheel drive secluded beach.Just north of Corolla 4x4 vehicles can access the beach at the Northern end of NC 12 where the paved road ends. 4WD beach is a whole other world but you MUST be in a 4WD vehicle & you MUST purchase a permit, which costs $50/week, but that's the only way they sell the permits. You can purchase the permit on the Currituck County website. This hidden beach is best known for its remoteness and the one-of-a-kind wild Spanish mustangs. There is twelve miles of pristine 4WD beach & more than 7,000 acres of wilderness. Behind the dune line are rental homes & in front is nothing but sun, sand, & a gorgeous secluded beach. Ok, no more writing... time to chillax because the beach is calling! Cheers peeps!"

Fort Story Beach

★★★★★ 4.6 (9)

"This is a fantastic beach on JEB Fort Story military base. There is a public access point near Cape Henry lighthouse, across from the gas station/minimart. There are also a few more smaller, less obvious, entrances throughout the base. I use the one on Cape Henry near the main gate. The beach is never really crowded and it is where the bay meets the ocean. We see dolphins out there a lot. It is clean and also security monitors it as well. I truly enjoy this beautiful gem!"

Virginia Beach Ocean Front

★★★★☆ 4 (121)

"An amazing beach! It's clean, well-maintained, and there's always something to do. The stretch of booths and shops goes on for over 2 miles, offering a wide variety of local crafts, souvenirs, and snacks. There are plenty of activities for all ages, from water sports to beach volleyball. Plus, the atmosphere is friendly and lively, making it a great place for families or a day out with friends. Highly recommend!""

Virginia Beach

★★★★☆ 3.8 (90)

"I have not been to Va Beach in decades. It was quite a pleasant surprise to walk the sands and see the sun rise and set. Great place to hang out and have a good time. Plenty of places to eat and drink. Fun for all."

North End Beach

★★★★★ 4.6 (11)

"This is the more residential strip of beach just north of the Oceanfront strip. I believe that the last lifeguard stand is at 56th street, but this strip of beach still follows the rules of the resort beaches. Since parking is limited this part of the beach tends to be less crowded vs the resort area, but don't let that fool you. If it's a beautiful summer day, you'll still want to get there early so a big tent or umbrella doesn't block your view of the water. Parking is free, but again- I want to stress that it is extremely limited. Double check that you aren't blocking someone's driveway or entrance to their house. You will be towed - as you should be. Unless I get there super early I usually have to park across the street. There are several traffic lights with pedestrian signals to help you get to the beach safely."

Cape Henry Memorial

★★★★☆ 4.2 (5)

"Whether or not you're into Colonial history you probably have heard about or know a little something about the events regarding Philadelphia, 1776 or Boston. Maybe even Yorktown or Williamsburg. But all those cats had to get their start somewhere, right? Indeed they did and this is the spot where it all happened in April of 1607.After a four plus month journey the initial group of 144 landed here then placed a wooden cross in the ground (exact spot unknown) to mark their landfall calling the spot Cape Henry. Approximately three weeks after those events the group settled in what is now Jamestown and the rest as is said, is history.So if you come here what are you going to see? To be honest, not much.The first order of business is getting to the site which means you need to enter the Fort Story Naval Base. While not horribly difficult, it is a process and you need to be prepared. I'm not going to go thru the steps but in review of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse I lay it out step by step from my most recent visit. www.yelp.com/biz/cape-henry-lighthouse-fort-storyAfter getting on the base you drive about a mile and a half on Atlantic Avenue then you'll see a brown NPS (this site is part of the Colonial National Historical Park) sign on the right marked Cape Henry Memorial with a small parking lot.On the site, which is only 1/4 acre, you'll see the stone cross which was set up by the Daughters of the American Colonists in 1935 to mark the approximate spot where the wooden cross was placed from the first landing in 1607. Two large placards noting area marine life. A few placards noting the 1781 Battle of the Capes which was an important French Naval victory that helped to cut supplies off from Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown and a large statue to Admiral Comte de Grasse who commanded the French Fleet in that battle.There is also a short walkway leading to the top of the dunes where you can see the ocean or for a closer look take the walkway just to the south of the Cape Henry Memorial and go down to the beach. The site is open year round and while there are no formal hours for visitation the NPS recommends the safe bet of sunrise to dusk. If you've come this far you might as well go across Atlantic Avenue and visit/climb the Old Fort Story Lighthouse. It's an easy climb and the site is regularly on Groupon which makes the price very agreeable.This isn't an A-list stop by any means but if you like history and/or you're in the VA Beach and want to see/do something different, this is a neat spot that offers an experience you can't see anywhere else."

Ocean View Beach Park

★★★★☆ 3.9 (51)

"Well, not quite the ocean, but it will do. The waves still make the lapping sound, so I can pretend I'm at the ocean. Way less crowded than Virginia Beach. Not sure how safe it is at night given what others have written.We came for the Summer Sunday Jazz concerts. There had been a huge thunderstorm, but I looked at the concert's website AND Facebook page and there was no update about canceling. Anyways we stayed on the beach for a bit hoping to see the blue moon, but it was way too cloudy because of the storm. I much prefer the beach at Fort Monroe. I think that is my go-to spot when I'm in town next time."

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp And Beach Facility

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"This review is for the "Beach Facility" portion of this spot. If you have a boat, I'm sure this is a great place to launch your boat, but IF you have young kids and you want a hassle free beach experience, come to this spot! These are top 5 reasons why I love coming here:1. Parking It only costs $3 for the whole day (until midnight, I believe). No need to keep plugging the meter. There's a parking machine located right by the entrance of the walkway to the beach. Can't remember if you need to place it on the dash, but why not? Just in case...2. Public washrooms and showersThere are washrooms with changing rooms, showers underneath the roof (on the other side of the washrooms) outside, equipped with the short shower heads to rinse your feet. ESSENTIAL with young kids.3. Public beach access with tide poolThe beach is the end of Chick's beach, right under Lesner Bridge. The bridge itself provides great shade on a portion of the beach, although a lot of people like to fish there too, so we usually end up moving a little further down. Also, depending on the time of day you go, there is a tidepool and the water is not as rough so it's relatively safe for the kiddos. Of course, still watch your kids. 4. TrafficMeaning, it's not crowded there at all! Only a handful of people the last couple of times we've been there.5. American BrewThe best part is coffee and bites is right next door! It's a short walk from the parking lot, but if you forget to pack a lunch, American Brew is located right at the corner of the street (you'll most likely see it before you turn in to the parking lot). They have great coffees, bowls and other bites.Summer is here so enjoy the sunshine and soak up every bit of that Vitamin Sea! Stay safe, Friends!"

Sandbridge Little Island Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (43)

"Awesome beach that is a bit off the beaten path. On a tip, I checked out this beach and could not have been happier. I will say that Little Island will be my go to beach because it is 10 (no, 100) times better than the Oceanfront front.Because of my preferences, I prefer the low key "personality" of Sandbridge over the hustle and bustle of the Oceanfront."

East Beach

★★★★★ 4.8 (10)

"Years ago I remember going to the Homearama in East Beach when this areas wasn't as built up as it is now (this was probably 12 years ago). Now there are tons of residences and the East Beach community has crown tremendously. With the new complex, The Tern, it has transformed into a more vibrant community of younger folks who love to go to the beach. This means the beach area is thriving and the beach area is lovely. We easily walked across the street and carried our chairs and goodies and found a spot right in the front. As it was labor day weekend it was crowded but everyone was friendly and we all had a good time. There are now more places to eat and shop and have coffee or lunch or brunch here so a day trip or weekend day spent here is much more of an event than it was in the past. I live by Sandbridge and the beach there has a large drop-off due to erosion at the end of each season before replenishment so you really aren't too close to the waves unless you want to be right in the surf - here, you're able to put your chairs right up to the water and have it gently lap up to you. We loved it!"

Chesapeake Bay Beach

★★★★☆ 4.1 (8)

"Hanging out on this beach in October made me feel like I'd somehow stolen a secret summer. The weather was lovely, the sand was perfect, and the water was balmy. I refuse to comment on whether or not I ignore warning signs. ps. Sunset here is lovely too!"

OBX Beach Access

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"Um, 4wd beach access and 4-wheel drive is required?! Yes, please. Oh, a chance to see wild horses? What?! Let's go!"

Wake Beach

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (3)

"Quiet little beach with a good view. Enough area to play bocce ball and because of limited parking I can't imagine it ever gets crowded. We were there on a Friday and it was us and just 2 other families. Not my favorite for swimming because the button can be slimy in spots but I'm kinda of a water snob ;-)."

Tyler's Beach

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (4)

"Grew up here as a child. Weekend fun, loud music on sand. Moonman deejaying out of his van. Love this place as a child. There was always good music and great fresh food. Especially a hot chicken or fish sandwich. It has changed so much ovdf 50 years. No great establishment to eat at. You can grill there in the summer and play in the water. Bring back those good ole days. ."

Grandview Nature Preserve

★★★★☆ 4.3 (13)

"So, I wasn't going to write a review about this place because I didn't want word to get out and have this secluded section of the beach become overrun with beachgoers. Well, Hampton.gov just mentioned it, so word is out. This beach is so nice and secluded. There's no mass parking lot. You need to get there early to park in the residential area. Then, it's a bit of a hike through the preserve to get to the beach. It's totally worth the hike and hauling your sun tent and gear. The water is warmer here (Chesapeake) than the nearby Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach. There's a long coastline for walking, and you might meet a crab or two looking to find their way back into the bay. I helped one little guy with a twig stuck to him. I like this beach better than Fort Monroe now that the teenage crew have discover it. There were only a dozen or less families here when we went. I hope it stays that way."

Chic's Beach

★★★★★ 4.5 (82)

"I have visited Chick's beach several times. It is definitely ranked number 1 in the beaches we visit. I love how the tide is lower around here, at least on our visits they are. The children love to play right on the shoreline and with low tide we get to sit pretty close as well. It is never too crazy packed. We always find parking, and a great spot close to the path to exit. Beach has always been kept clean each visit we make. This past visit we even got a visit from the local police just making sure the area is safe and clean for all the patrons. They stuck around and spoke to a few people laughing and shaking hands. Parking is found all along the surrounding streets. Sometimes we have to circle a few times but we always manage to land a spot. I would definitely recommend making a trip to this beach if you haven't already."

Corolla Outback Adventures

★★★★★ 4.7 (60)

"What an incredible adventure! This is an experience not to be missed. Our guide did a fabulous job of getting us to where the horses were. We saw 24 of the 99 wild horses in four harems. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the horses individually as well as their habits and how they interacted. I learned a lot about horses. Riding on the beach and in the unpaved areas of OBX was a cool treat on top of seeing the wild horses.There are many excellent wild horse tours to choose from, but trust me, THIS is the one you want to take! Definitely take your camera, the best one you have. Also take a windbreaker of sweater because it gets a little chilly cruising down the beach. Have a blast!"

Cape Charles Beach

★★★★★ 4.6 (26)

"This is not a huge beach but it's beautiful and clean with soft powdery white sand. There is easy parking and you can walk the length of it and find somewhere the sit and enjoy the ocean and waves. It has a few piers and a miniature Neptune Statue (King Neptune from 31st St in Virginia Beach) at one end and a Virginia "LOVE" sign at the other that is perfect for a family photo op. I love this beach. I'm not much of a sand and sun person but this is a lovely smaller beach."

Public Beach Access

★★★★★ 4.6 (5)

"I liked this beach because it wasn't overly busy and it was easy to socially distance since it was not crowded at all. It was a chill day where I was able to collect a couple of shells and was spared crowd noise. It was great enjoying the waves and some sun."

Kitty Hawk Beach

★★★★☆ 3.6 (9)

"This beach is my least favorite in the Outer Banks because it's very crowded and not really serene. This area of the Outer Banks is very busy with families and loads of children being one of the cheaper areas to find a rental. There is a really nice pier on this beach though.There is free public parking at Kitty Hawk Bath House and at Byrd Street where there is also portable bathrooms. You can't drive on this beach, bring glass bottles, no fires allowed and you can't launch motorized watercrafts from the beach. There are lifeguards stationed along the beach and I also saw some roving lifeguards.Beach access is located at Balchen Street, Bennett Street, Bleriot Street, Fonck Street, Hawks Street, Lillian Street, Maynard Street and Wilkins Street."