Williamsburg, a town that acts as a living museum of colonial times, is a great vacation destination for history fans and families, but there is no beach there. It is necessary to go outside of the town center, where blacksmiths, bakers, candlemakers, and tradespeople in period attire are employed if you want to enjoy yourself in the sun and on the dunes. Fortunately, there are a few beaches near enough to Williamsburg to help you beat the summertime blues.
Small and Friendly:
Buckroe may be calling your name if you’re seeking a beach without the noise or the people. This eight-acre beach, 32 miles southeast of Williamsburg, will seem more like a trip to a tiny coastal village than MTV spring break because of the calm surf and soft wind on the Chesapeake Bay. The paved boardwalk is a popular gathering place in the summer, and the pavilion often holds outdoor shows and free concerts. Restrooms and picnic tables are scattered around the park. Grills may be rented with advance notice. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labour Day.
For the Kids:
A trip to Fort Fun, a 15,000-square-foot wooden playground with a haunted castle, labyrinth, slides, swings, and bucking broncos, can be fun for your traveling friends under 12. This sandy stretch of the James River in Williamsburg is a well-liked location for free weddings among locals. A snack bar with a terrace and picnic tables is present. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the lifeguard is on duty from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but you may swim at your own risk when they aren’t. The most enormous fishing pier on the East Coast is located at Huntington Park.
Best Beaches Near Williamsburg, Virginia:
Several neighborhood hangouts close to Colonial Williamsburg are worth visiting while you’re there. You may spend the day lounging in the sun with residents and other tourists after learning about the history of one of America’s earliest planned communities. In Colonial Williamsburg, one of these well-liked beachfronts is far from. It will take you up to 30 minutes to go to these beaches.
Yorktown BeachL:
It takes little over 20 minutes to get to Yorktown Beach from Williamsburg, Virginia, and it’s a great destination to explore while you’re there. One of the most excellent public beaches in the Hampton Roads region, the coastline is adjacent to historic locations, including the Yorktown Battlefield and the Victory Monument.
This two-acre, kid-friendly beach is close to a sizable picnic space and a beach park with grass fields for light sports. Bikes may be rented nearby at Patriot Tours & Provisions for use on the beaches and at the beach park. It’s ideal for a day trip since there are many eateries, toilets, and free parking spots along the seashore. Patriot Tours also offers kayak and paddleboard rentals for those who wish to take a spin on the water. Near Cornwallis Cove, there are fishing piers and designated places to catch various species, including stripers, bass, and blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay.
The view of the Coleman Memorial Bridge over the York River is one of this beach’s outstanding features. After a long day of swimming and tanning, this location is lovely to watch the sun go down.
Jamestown Beach:
Colonial Williamsburg may be reached by car about 12 minutes from Jamestown Beach Event Park. James Fort and the Jamestown Historic Ship Museum are near the beach park, providing picnic spaces and barbecues. The James River has approved fishing sites and bathing places to cool off. (To fish, you must have a freshwater fishing license.) You may also rent kayaks throughout the Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, and the concession stand serves ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages. Additionally, a paddle boat launch area and observation platform are nearby.
Willoughby Beachfront:
The nearest spot in the Virginia Beach region is Willoughby Beachfront, a hidden treasure. Although it is often less busy than other beaches, the lack of parking might make it more difficult to access certain places. (You may need help to locate parking on a side street.) However, this is a terrific choice if you’re looking for beachside seclusion while visiting Virginia Beach.
Ocean View Beachfront:
This seashore has a couple of beach parks nearby and is also quite close to the Williamsburg neighborhood. Additionally, it is close to the Longest Pier, a well-known spot for fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. You may take advantage of the many beach parks along the shoreline while basking in the sunshine.
Ocean View Beach Park:
The 6.5-acre beach park contains a lifeguard-watched section of coastline. This place is excellent for listening to music while watching the sunset over Chesapeake Bay. Band performances and performers are presented all weekend long.
Sarah Constant Beach Park:
The Sarah Constant Beach area is a less famous beach along the Ocean View coastline. Lifeguards on duty watch the swimming area at the lovely white-sand beach. Additionally, there are picnic sites, public bathrooms, and barbecues accessible.
Community Beach Park:
The expansive, sandy beach at Ocean View is next to Community Beach Park. There is a playground, and this relatively laid-back beach area welcomes children and dogs. There are picnic tables, public bathrooms, and several eateries nearby. Community Beach is often less congested than Ocean View Beach Park, much like Sarah Constant Beach Park.
Cone’s Beach and Grove Beach:
If you want a tranquil beach experience, Cone’s Beach and Grove Beach are two nearby beachfront sites that are fantastic. However, they need the public facilities offered by the more well-known beachfront with adjacent beach parks.
First Landing State Park and Beach:
Some of the calmest seas in the Virginia Beach region are at this well-liked beachfront within a state park. It is also less congested than many of the other well-liked tourist beachfronts. The park has several paths, so this is the ideal location if you want to go for a nature stroll after sunbathing or swimming. This beach is also more dog-friendly in the summer than Ocean View, benefiting those who love animals.
North End Beach:
Pets are allowed before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. at this beachfront beach in the North End area, offering a little more wave action than the Chesapeake Bay. There are no lifeguard stations and fewer public services like showers and bathrooms than at Ocean View. However, a patrol does pass often throughout the summer. The boardwalk is close by in case you need anything while you’re at the beach, and this beach is less busy than the Ocean View beaches.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk Area:
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is the area’s biggest tourist attraction, and as a result, parking may be difficult, and the beachfront here can become congested. However, there is much to do here, so the journey is often worthwhile. You may find everything here, including a famous statue of Neptune, amusement parks, breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from atop a Ferris wheel, haunted homes, and specialty shops. There is much more to Virginia Beach day trips than just swimming and tanning. Near the shore, there are many activities to keep things exciting. A few highlights are as follows:
- Grommet Island Park is a playground featuring sandcastle-building sections that are accessible to those with wheelchairs.
- Just a short stroll from the beach, the Virginia Aquarium is ideal for taking a break from the heat and learning about aquatic life.
- Ziplining is available at Adventure Park, a facility situated near the aquarium.
- The fourth-oldest lighthouse in the United States is Cape Henry Lighthouse.
- Mirror Labyrinth from Lost Planet is an enjoyable labyrinth with stunning aesthetics.
Looking for Something Different for Your Beach Trip?
Many beaches you may visit are even closer to the Williamsburg region if you’re searching for something off the beaten path. These beaches are for you if you want peace by the ocean or don’t want to cope with the busy tourist season.
College Creek Beach:
Colonial Williamsburg may be reached by automobile about eight minutes from this coastline. It is on a tiny inlet that College Creek and the James River created. The current in this river is much too strong to be safe for swimming. However, this is a terrific location to visit if you want to spend time in nature and away from everything. On your vacation to Williamsburg, College Creek might also be a convenient location for a short picnic.
Buckroe Beach and Park:
You may reach Buckroe Beach via Newport News, our neighboring city. Even yet, the crowds at Buckroe Beach are smaller than those in the Virginia Beach region. The beach park features a cute little lighthouse, and in the summer, Hampton Watersports rents out jet skis and paddle boards nearby. This is a reasonably straightforward day excursion to organize since there are concessions close by and free parking. However, because Buckroe Beach isn’t canine-friendly, you may have to take your dog to another location on the list. If you don’t have a pet to care about, a farmers market is closed every Saturday morning throughout the summer.
Gloucester Point Beach Park:
Gloucester Point Beach Park is located across the York River from Yorktown Beach. There are plenty of services here, including a snack shop, public bathrooms, and an outdoor shower along the sandy beach, even if this is a quieter beachfront than its neighbor.
A fishing pier is situated off the beach, and there are various public picnic sites with tables and grills in the park area. The fishing pier has a blanket license, which is the best part since you may fish here without a separate saltwater license.
Grandview Beach
Grandview Nature Preserve and Grandview Beach are on Hampton’s eastern shore. Long hikes on trails, breathtaking views of the local fauna, and a relaxing day excursion to the beach may all be had together! Did we mention that Williamsburg is just a 45-minute drive away? You may trek to a lovely sand peninsula in Grandview called Factory Point. This park and seashore are an undiscovered natural wonder that seems remote even when the beach receives more visitors than usual. It’s a great area to find seashells and enjoy some alone while breathing fresh air.
