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The Best Beaches in Virginia

Virginia’s coast runs from the resort boardwalk at Virginia Beach to the wild barrier sand of Assateague and the quiet Eastern Shore — plus the calm Chesapeake Bay beaches around Hampton and Norfolk. Parking is the catch: the Oceanfront leans on meters and garages, while the state and national parks charge an entry fee and cap out early on hot days.

7 beaches mapped · Summer 2026 · updated June 14, 2026

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Top beaches & swimming spots

  1. Virginia Beach

    Oceanfront / Boardwalk

    The state’s flagship resort beach — a three-mile boardwalk lined with hotels, shops, and the King Neptune statue. There’s no free lot at the Oceanfront, so plan on meters or a garage and arrive early on summer weekends.

    Public beachTicketed
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  2. Sandbridge Beach

    Sandbridge

    A quieter, residential stretch of wide sand south of the Oceanfront, popular with families renting beach houses. Public parking is limited to Little Island Park’s paid lot, which fills early in season.

    Family beachTicketed
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  3. First Landing State Park

    Cape Henry

    Calm Chesapeake Bay swimming on the spot where English colonists first landed in 1607, backed by cypress-and-live-oak trails. A state-park entry fee covers the lot, which can reach capacity midday on hot weekends.

    Family beachTicketed
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  4. Cape Charles Beach

    Eastern Shore

    A free, calm Bayfront town beach with sunset views and a walkable historic main street a block away. Parking is on-street and limited, so it can be a hunt on busy summer afternoons.

    Family beachFree
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  5. Buckroe Beach

    Buckroe

    Hampton’s calm Chesapeake Bay beach with a fishing pier, playground, and summer concerts and movies. The city lot is free, which means it fills up early on hot weekends.

    Family beachFree
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  6. Ocean View Beach

    Ocean View

    A long, low-key Bayfront beach lining Norfolk’s Ocean View neighborhood — gentle water and a fishing pier, with mostly free street and small-lot parking that gets scarce near the popular access points.

    Public beachFree
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Hidden gems & dog beaches

  1. Chincoteague / Assateague Beach

    Assateague Island (VA side)

    Wild barrier-island sand inside Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, famous for the free-roaming ponies and the annual pony swim. The Toms Cove lots charge a park fee and close once they fill, so come early.

    Hidden gemTicketed
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Virginia beaches — FAQ

Where can I park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront?
There’s no free beach lot at the Oceanfront — you’re looking at metered streets and paid city garages near the boardwalk, which fill on summer weekends. Check the live map for which lots are still open before you drive in.
Which Virginia beach is best for families?
The calm Chesapeake Bay beaches — Buckroe in Hampton, First Landing State Park, and Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore — have gentle water and facilities. Sandbridge is the quieter ocean pick if you want surf without the resort crowds.
Can I see the wild ponies at the beach?
Yes — the Assateague Island beach on the Chincoteague (Virginia) side sits inside a national wildlife refuge known for its free-roaming ponies. It charges a park entry fee and the lots close once they fill, so arrive early.
Can I report parking or add a beach?
Yes — tap a beach on the live map to report whether its lot is open, filling, or full, or drop a pin to add a beach. Reports update for everyone in real time.

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