Best Virginia Beach (2018)

“The Playground of the Potomac”, Colonial Beach, is a river town and a beach town, bounded by the Potomac River and Monroe Bay, and home to the second largest beach in Virginia. Only 65 miles from DC, 35 nautical miles from the Chesapeake Bay, the town offers marinas, outdoor recreation and striking sunrises and sunsets.
Photo courtesy of Mary Carter

Yorktown's 2-acre beachfront is a popular swimming spot on the York River. The ADA-accessible beach includes a Mobi-Mat from the sand all the way to the water, as well as special chairs for helping wheelchair bound visitors enjoy the water.
Photo courtesy of Aude / Wikimedia Commons

The only public beach on Virginia's eastern shore without an entrance or parking fee, Cape Charlest Beach is accessible via two wooden paths. A sidewalk with benches runs parallel to the beach, which is popular for both swimming and sunbathing.
Photo courtesy of iStock / nameinfame

The 37-mile barrier island enjoys pristine beaches that span two states. The larger northern portion of the island is in Maryland while the southern portion is in Virginia. Wild horses roam these beaches allowing visitors an opportunity to view them in a natural habitat. The beaches are widely-known as an excellent location for swimming, shell collecting or just strolling or relaxing on the beautiful white sand. Vehicles can access the island from both Maryland and Virginia, but there is no through road along the island’s length.
Photo courtesy of NPS Photo

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of the Atlantic coast's most pristine barrier beaches, a swath of white sand shoreline stretching for miles. The lifeguarded recreational beach draws big crowds during the summer months, while the quieter Wild Beach is popular with hikers.
Photo courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region / Wikimedia Commons

Just a short drive from the bustling Virginia Beach Oceanfront district lies the pristine shore of Sandbridge Beach. This 5-mile-long Atlantic beach hideaway is separated from the quiet community of Sandbridge by gently rolling coastal dunes and sea oats.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Sherry Smith

Measuring 28 feet wide and 3 miles long, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk offers many winning features along the Atlantic shore, including a separate bike path and nightly live entertainment during the summers. Presiding over it all is a giant bronze statue of King Neptune–one of the most popular photo ops in town.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Visitors to Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve enjoy 83 acres of sandy beach on Chesapeake Bay, including the opportunity to spot nesting birds in the low dunes and salt marshes of the park. 
Photo courtesy of iStock / AshleyLThomasPhoto

Located in Virginia's Northern Neck, Westmoreland State Park covers 1,321 acres along the Potomac River, where park goers can relax on a wild Potomac River beach.
Photo courtesy of Virginia State Parks / Flickr

Situated on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, Buckroe Beach comprises a ¾ mile stretch of sand with gentle surf and panoramic views. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, and amenities like playgrounds and picnic shelters appeal to families.
Photo courtesy of iStock / CatLane