Department of Conservation and Recreation
State ParksTidal Beaches
Virginia's tidal beaches are predominantly on the lower Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Beaches on the Bay and on lower sections of rivers tend to be sandy, while those on the upper reaches of the rivers may have a thin layer of sand over a mud bottom.
The Surfrider Foundation encourages an increase public awareness with regard to water quality and health of all beaches. The Foundation reports that states have a vital role in giving public education about beaches the attention it deserves. User-friendly, accessible information is important to maintaining public health and enjoyment of beaches as one of Virginia's most popular outdoor recreation destinations.
Beach Monitoring - Virginia Department of Health
Virginia's Beaches - Virginia Tourism
| Locality | Site/Location | Site/Location | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accomac County | Assateague Island National Seashore | 8.3 | 43,825 |
| Northampton County | Kiptopeke State Park | 1.1 | 5800 |
| Cape Charles | Cape Charles | 0.500 | 2,640 |
| Colonial Beach | Castlewood Park Central Beach Total: |
2.500 | 13,200 |
| Gloucester | Gloucester Point | 0.18 | 975 |
| Hampton | Buckroe Grandview Salt Ponds Total: |
0.760 2.460 .760 3.980 |
4,000 13,000 4,000 21,000 |
| King George | Wayside Park Beach | 0.27 | 1,400 |
| Mathews | Diggs | 0.17 | 900 |
| Middlesex | Canoe House Landing | 0.04 | 185 |
| Newport News | Anderson Park Hilton Riverfront Park Huntington Park Lincoln-King Park Total: |
0.280 0.100 0.100 0.280 0.580 |
1,500 500 550 1,500 4,050 |
| Norfolk | Willoughby Spit to East Ocean View | 7.40 | 39,072 |
| Northumberland | Vir-Mar Beach | 0.02 | 80 |
| Stafford | Aqua-Po Beach | 0.300 | 1,580 |
| Virginia Beach | Croatan Beach Ocean Park Resort Beach Resort Beach, North Total: |
0.82 1.030 3.330 2.670 13.05 |
4,330 5,438 17,600 14,080 68,904 |
| West Point | Beach Park | 0.01 | 50 |
| York | Yorktown Beach | 0.23 | 1,215 |
| TOTALS: | 16 | 38.81 | 204,876 |
*Public beaches as defined under the Public Beach Conservation and Development Act.
2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan.