As the home of the world’s greatest natural harbor, water is a way of life in Hampton Virginia. Yet again named one of America’s most affordable beach towns, our charming coastal community enjoys breathtaking views on the sandy beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. Whether you’re bringing the family for an affordable beach vacation or taking a relaxing daytrip by yourself, the beaches in Hampton, Virginia are a great choice.

Beaches in Hampton, Virginia

Jump to: Buckroe Beach & Park | Grandview Nature Preserve | Outlook Beach

Buckroe Beach & Park

📍100 First Street South – Hampton, VA 23664 | 🌐  Hampton.gov/BuckroeBeachPark

The top choice for your family beach vacation, Buckroe Beach & Park is the perfect place to experience the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay with the convenience of amenities like public restrooms, outdoor showers, free parking, and nautical-themed playground.

Sink your toes into our clean sandy beach, take in the panoramic view of the Chesapeake Bay, watch ocean-going ships prepare to arrive at their ports of call, all as your family enjoys the sparkling water & gentle surf.

As you walk along the beach or paved boardwalk, take advantage of the many benches or recently added swing chairs.

Amenities:

• There are large restroom facilities with outdoor showers
• A spacious yet enclosed playground
• Free parking, bike racks, and seasonal shuttle service
• A paved boardwalk lined with swing chairs & benches
• Available for rent are
  • three picnic shelters with nine tables and 1 grill each;
  • an observation pier with a shelter;
  • and a stage pavilion for community events, private events and entertainment.
• Seasonal amenities & rentals
• Separate from the beach, the James T. Wilson Fishing Pier is equipped with two covered shelters midway, two fish-cleaning stations, clean restrooms, snack bar, and bait and tackle shop.

FAQs:

🗓️ While the beach & park are accessible year-round, additional amenities like food vendors & equipment rentals, shuttle service, and lifeguards are only available during the summer season: from Memorial Day to Labor Day
🅿️ Free parking, free admission
♿ Ask beach staff about sand-ready mobility chairs that can go directly into the water! There are also two Mobimat Roll-out ADA Beach access pathways for individuals with limited mobility.
🐾 Dogs are not allowed on the beach between May 15 – Sept. 15.

Grandview Nature Preserve

📍State Park Drive – Hampton, VA 23664 | 🌐  Hampton.gov/parks

Grandview Nature Preserve is open to the public free and forms the northeast corner of the city of Hampton. The Preserve covers over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and Chesapeake Bay beachfront. The Preserve is a great location to beach comb, observe the migratory birds, and photography.

It is also a great place for fishing. You will need to obtain a saltwater fishing license from Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

This hidden gem has limited street parking and no facilities/amenities. However, that makes it an ideal spot for a quiet stroll in nature, where you can traverse through the marsh trail and onto the beach where you can enjoy the peaceful sound of the waves lapping against the shore.

FAQs:

🗓️ The Nature Preserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset daily.
⚠️ There are no amenities or facilities at Grandview Nature Preserve.
🅿️ [free] street parking only, free admission
♿ There are no amenities or facilities at Grandview Nature Preserve. The nature trail may not be accessible for those with mobility concerns.
🐾 Pets are banned on the main beach May 15-Sept. 15 and on Factory Point April 1-Sept. 15. All other times, pets must remain on leash.

Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe

📍490 Fenwick Road Hampton, VA 23651 | 🌐 NPS.gov

Surrounded by water on all sides, the Fort Monroe beaches extend for miles and offer some of the best views in all of the Chesapeake Bay. Outlook Beach, Fort Monroe’s public beach, is the perfect place for swimming, sunning, enjoying both the sunrise or sunset, and watching the ships go by.

Area Amenities:

Although you are not allowed to fish directly on the beach, you can walk over to the newly constructed Finger Pier (southernly adjacent to Outlook Beach). A few blocks away from that is the Engineer Wharf Fishing Pier. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the piers are the only designated fishing locations at Fort Monroe, and a Virginia Saltwater Fishing License is required.

While there are no amenities or facilities at the beach, you may be interested in exploring what the rest of Fort Monroe has to offer. Less than a mile away is the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center which offers interpretive exhibits, area information, and tickets for the Casemate Museum. Check out their events calendar closer to your trip for special events, free guided walking tours, and more!

Or take a walk along the Fort Monroe Seawall Trail as you enjoy the waterfront view (without the sandy mess). The trail is primarily used for walking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

To the North of Outlook Beach is The Colonies RV Travel Park & Country Store; Their gift shop is worth a visit for beach decor & souvenirs!

FAQs:

🗓️ While the beach is accessible year-round, Lifeguards are only present seasonally (within the southern area of Outlook Beach) 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
🅿️ Free admission & Free parking – parking lot near Outlook Beach section may overflow and require street parking down the road.
♿ See accessibility statement
🐾 Pets are not allowed on the beach from May 15 – Sep 15. When allowed, pets are required to remain on a leash.

Are dogs allowed on the beaches in Hampton, VA?

Dogs are not allowed on the beach in Hampton between May 15 – Sept. 15. When dogs are allowed, they are required to be registered with the city of Hampton and remain on a leash. You may prefer to leave your furry friends home during the summer, or click here for recommended places to walk with your dog.

Are the beaches in Hampton, VA wheelchair accessible?

The best beach in Hampton, Virginia for wheelchair users is Buckroe Beach.

During the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), two Mobi-Mat ADA Beach Access Mats are available. These rollout pathways are stable and non-slip, making the way out to the beach easy for all. A sandy-ready Water Wheels Floating Beach Wheelchair is also available from 11 AM to 5 PM daily, in the summer season.

It’s recommended you contact beach staff ahead of your trip to ensure availability & details. The park bathroom is also ADA friendly, but you may need to inquire about your specific needs.

See Buckroe Beach / Hampton Parks & Recreation for more information.

Looking for an outside perspective? See ‘Wheelchair Accessible Hampton, Virginia‘ by Wonders Within Reach

When do beaches open in Hampton, VA?

The beaches in Hampton are accessible year-round, but lifeguards & some amenities are only available during the summer season: from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

If you’re looking for a traditional beach vacation with amenities & facilities, check out Buckroe Beach above. For even more fun, plan your beach vacation around one of these summer festivals.

How far is Hampton, VA from Virginia Beach?

If you love the beach but want to avoid the traffic on I-64E or the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, embrace the tranquility of Hampton’s beaches.

Located approximately 30 miles Northwest of Virginia Beach, Hampton is located in the center of Coastal Virginia. Far enough away from the bulk of beach traffic, but close enough for a daytrip excursion to nearby cities in the Hampton Roads area.

Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton is defined by its waterfront access to fishing piers, harbors tours, fresh seafood, and beaches.

Make the most of your beach vacation with ideas from our free Visitors Guide: