Located in southeastern Virginia where the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach sits 19 miles east of Norfolk and 107 miles southeast of Richmond. The region is accessible via major roadways like Virginia Beach Boulevard and the historic Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel. Air travelers arrive via Norfolk International Airport, located on the city's northwestern border, making this famous coastal destination easy to reach from across the United States.
Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world, the oceanfront stretches across miles of coastal sands. Bordered by the open Atlantic and tempered by the Chesapeake Bay, the coastline offers dynamic surf conditions alongside sheltered waters. Visitors find hundreds of oceanfront hotels, motels, and dining establishments running along the shore, complemented by lively commercial parks, public venues, and bustling paved avenues.
The local setting blends a high-energy resort atmosphere with historic landmarks and natural spaces. Near Cape Henry, where English colonists first made landfall in 1607, state parks feature rich natural coastal environments. First Landing State Park provides a scenic backdrop where sub-tropical plants like Spanish moss reach their northernmost limits. Alongside defense bases and protected beaches, the city balances urban developments like the Town Center with extensive oceanfront parklands.
Virginia Beach caters to a broad range of visitors, especially families looking for classic seaside vacationing, amusement parks, and year-round community festivals. Surfers flock to the coastline's reliable breaks, which host major annual wave competitions. Outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and casual coastal strollers will all find appealing options, whether exploring historic monuments, paddling bay tributaries, or enjoying beachfront entertainment under the high annual hours of Virginia sunshine.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport | Norfolk International Airport serves the city from its extreme northwestern border. |
| Road | Reached via Virginia Beach Boulevard from Norfolk or via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel from the north. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Where to stay
Resorts, towns and areas near the beach — the closer you stay, the easier the early-morning and sunset hours when the light is best and the crowds are thin.
A historic oceanfront hotel operating since 1927 that established the city as a popular resort destination.
A major public-private redevelopment hotel situated directly along the primary beach area.
04 Best time to visit & the water
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Late May through late September | Hot and humid weather with frequent brief late-day thundershowers; August is the wettest month. |
| Winter | December through February | Cool temperatures with light snowfall and mild winter averages compared to inland areas. |
Conditions vary with weather, tides & season · Last updated: 2026-09-12
05 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Summer afternoons frequently bring brief thundershowers, with August recording the highest annual rainfall.
- First Landing State Park is the northernmost location on the East Coast where natural Spanish moss grows widely.
- The region averages 2,200 annual sunshine hours, higher than the national average for the United States.
