Other Virginia Vacation Beaches

Other Virginia Vacation Beaches

Virginia Beach Area Beaches and State Parks:

To SE Virginia Vacation Beaches page - Beaches & State Parks outside of the Virginia Beach local area

First Landing State Park - Most popular State Park in Virginia. Two Entrances - East access and boat ramp area at Atlantic Avenue and 64th St. - West access and Chesapeake Bay Visitors Center is on south side at 2500 Shore Drive about a mile west of stoplite at corner where Atlantic curves left (west) into Shore Drive. Free admission to park, parking fee. (757) 412-2300 - For Reservations - see below.


Can drive right by First Landings and not realize how big it is since it is hidden from the road! 2,770 acre mostly natural area sanctuary.

First Landing State Park playground

First Landing State Park has many Campgrounds, camp sites and RV camper sites,
plus 20
2-bedroom rental cabins. Even a small store.

On the South side of Shore Drive are natural unimproved beach areas which front onto Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay. Semitropical forest area with large cypress trees, lagoons, and almost 20 miles of hiking and self guided nature trails + a scenic bicycle trail. Guided Kayak ecological tours available.

Beautiful park with something for everyone - "hidden" right at north end of Virginia Beach. First Landing is a "Must See!"

Can Reserve online or call Park Reservation & Info Center # 1-800-933-7275

First Landing State Park - Virginia State Parks Web Pages - Great Info. Can see very detailed description of the facilities, Campgrounds, RV hookups, and the many other things this park has to offer, clickable map of how to get there, as well as downloadable .pdf map of the park. Also Park Cabin rental fee schedule and Park Passes & fees. Even a couple of pictures! This link goes to a page of Info on Virginia State Park fees and Passes. Click on "Passes" Link for detailed Passes Info, as well as discounted passes available for the "Seasoned" Age 62 & up set. A favorite of the Family Virginia Vacation Beaches State Parks.
Tip: Click here to request a Virginia State Parks Brochure with descriptions and facility list for all Virginia State Parks. Click here to download this 16 page color brochure as a .pdf file. (2.4 MB file) You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print the .pdf document.




The "North End" Beach -- at north end of Virginia Beach Boardwalk north of 70th street off of Atlantic Avenue. Fronts on Atlantic Ocean. Uninproved natural beach area. No public rest rooms, Lifeguards, or parking lots.
Tip: Favorite of "Locals" so get there early to find a parking spot in the nearby neighborhood. Sometimes the Locals "forget" to tell you about this "secluded" favorite of the Virginia vacation beaches.




Croatan - "the Surfers beach" - Lifeguard and restrooms. Fronts onto Atlantic Ocean. Adjacent to South end of Boardwalk Resort area south of Rudee inlet. Take General Booth Boulevard at south end of Atlantic Ave. Left onto Croatan road down to beach.

Popular with surfers because surfing allowed all day Vs. most of other Virginia Beach ocean front does not allow surfing from 10 AM until 6 PM when most swimmers are in water. Fun to watch even if you aren't a surfer! Some nice beachfront houses at south end of this beach area. Another Locals favorite of the Virginia vacation beaches.



Fort Story Beach - Fronts onto Atlantic Ocean - at far north end of Atlantic Ave to just past 82nd street. Atlantic Ave curves into Shore drive to west. Take a right at light to stay on Atlantic Avenue going north to entrance to Fort Story Army Base (This is the road you take to get to the Cape Henry Lighthouses)
Your car will be searched at the entrance to the base. Tell guard you are going to the beach.

Turn right immediately after guard station to beach to free parking. Portable toilet and lifeguard in the summer. Wide undeveloped beach area - also favorite beach of the locals. Often see Dolphins playing here.

Tip: As long as you are close, drive on north a few blocks and check out the two Cape Henry Lightouses. Don't miss the nearby First Landing Cross memorial area and adjacent beach access. Great view of atlantic Ocean and some interesting beach area where militiary beach landings training occurs. Great view of the two Cape Henry Lighthouses a few blocks away looking back from the beach overlook.




Black Bay National Wildlife Refuge - several miles south of Virginia Beach area at 4005 Sandpiper road. (757) 721-2412  Follow Pacific Avenue to General Booth Boulevard, then left on Princess Anne Road and left onto Sandbridge Road. Then turn right onto Sandpiper Road. Parking fees required Memorial Day to Labor Day.

4,600 acres of beach, woodlands, and marsh area. Natural migratory bird and endangered species habitat + red foxes, deer, American bald eagles, and loggerhead turtles. Much of park is off limits to protect the bird nesting areas and animal habitats.

No swimming, sunbathing, or surfing is allowed but can walk on the natural south beach Seaside Trail and hike the Dune nature trail. Very primitive area. Much of Park is essentially a marsh, so bring bug repellant! May have to drive a bit, but this is a is one of the favorite Virginia vacation beaches among wildlife viewers.
Tip: Bring your Camera - great spot for bird and animal watching - and for a picnic lunch on the beach (away from the marsh.)




False Cape State Park - Five miles south of Black Bay Refuge area above. Once a "Ships Graveyard" - see history at web site below. At south end of Sandbridge Road. Virginia's most remote beach - one of few remaining undeveloped areas on the Atlantic Coast. Migratory Birds + a variety of other wildlife, plants and trees. Southern boundary of park is N. Carolina state line.

4,300 acre park. 5.9 mile stretch of undisturbed beach on a barrier "spit" between Black Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Can walk the beautiful natural beach next to the Atlantic Ocean surf.

Pit toilets only, water available is not suitable for drinking - must carry everything, including water, in and pack trash out. Tent Camping is available by reservation, but is not recommended for young children, inexperienced campers, or those who might need access to emergency medical care. There is no electricity. Pit toilets only; no showers. No open fires allowed.

Park at Little Island city parking lot - about 40 minutes driving time south from Virginia Beach Boardwalk area. False Cape is accessable only by foot, bicycle, special beach transport (The "Terra Gator"), tram, or boat. Tram reservations and times - (757) 498-2473, "Terra Gator" times and reservations (800) 933-7275. Hard to get to, so not a very busy beach destination among the Virginia vacation beaches.
Tip: All overnight campers must bring two copies of their confirmation letter or fax - so plan ahead on camping reservations. + Don't forget bug repellant!

To Virginia State Parks Web pages Info on False Cape State Park. Some history of how park got it's name + comprehensive description of what is available at False Cape, plus times, rules, many links to specific information, and a few great pictures!

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