The Best Beaches in Virginia Beach: A Local's 2026 Guide

Virginia Beach isn't one beach — it's five distinct beach experiences

The busy, amenity-packed Oceanfront (Resort Beach) is best for first-timers and boardwalk lovers; the wide, quiet North End is best for relaxing and spreading out; Sandbridge is best for a secluded, Outer-Banks-style getaway; Chesapeake Bay Beach (Chic's Beach) has the calmest water for young kids; and Croatan is the go-to for surfers. Here's how to pick the right one.

The Oceanfront (Resort Beach): best for first-time visitors

This is the Virginia Beach you've seen on postcards — a three-mile boardwalk, the 34-foot King Neptune statue, hotels, restaurants, and attractions steps from the sand. It has the most amenities (public restrooms, lifeguards, food, parking garages) and the most energy, which also means the biggest summer crowds. Choose the Oceanfront if you want everything within walking distance and don't mind sharing the sand.

North End: best for space and quiet (and where ShoreDrop delivers)

North of about 42nd Street, the boardwalk ends and the beach opens up into the North End — one of the widest, most laid-back stretches in the city. Locals come here to escape the resort crowds, and it's a known spot for watching dolphins offshore. The trade-off: limited public parking and no public restroom facilities. That's exactly why it's ShoreDrop's home turf — we deliver and set up your chairs, umbrella, and cooler on the North End sand so you skip the parking scramble and the long haul from your car.

Sandbridge: best for a secluded getaway

About 20 minutes south of the Oceanfront, Sandbridge is often called "the Outer Banks of Virginia." Five miles of quiet shoreline backed by the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, lined with vacation rentals instead of hotels. There's no boardwalk and few commercial amenities — that's the point. Sandbridge is best for families and couples who want calm, nature, and a rental-home base for the week.

Chesapeake Bay Beach (Chic's Beach): best for little kids

Also called Chick's Beach, this stretch sits off Shore Drive on the Chesapeake Bay side, north of the Oceanfront. Because it faces the Bay rather than the open Atlantic, the water is calmer and shallower — ideal for toddlers, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Nearby you'll find First Landing State Park, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, and the famous Lynnhaven oysters.

Croatan Beach: best for surfers

Just south of Rudee Inlet, Croatan is a quieter, locals-favorite beach with dedicated surfing areas, an on-site parking lot, lifeguards, and restrooms. If you or your kids want to learn to surf, this is where the lessons happen. It's calmer on the crowd front than the main Oceanfront but still has the amenities the North End lacks.

Quick comparison

Most amenities & energy: Oceanfront (Resort Beach)

Most space & quiet: North End

Most secluded / week-long stays: Sandbridge

Calmest water for young kids: Chesapeake Bay Beach (Chic's Beach)

Best for surfing: Croatan Beach

What is the least crowded beach in Virginia Beach?

The North End (north of ~42nd Street) and Sandbridge are the least crowded. Both offer wide, open sand and a quieter vibe than the main Oceanfront — with the trade-off of fewer public amenities and limited parking.

Which Virginia Beach beach is best for families with small children?

Chesapeake Bay Beach (Chic's Beach) has the calmest, shallowest water because it faces the Bay instead of the open ocean, making it the safest feel for toddlers. The Oceanfront is also family-friendly thanks to lifeguards and restrooms.

Is the North End of Virginia Beach worth it?

Yes — it's one of the widest and most relaxing beaches in the city. The main downsides are limited parking and no public restrooms. Booking a delivered beach setup through ShoreDrop removes the biggest hassle: hauling gear from a hard-to-find parking spot.

Skip the hauling wherever you land. ShoreDrop delivers premium chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and more directly to your spot on the Virginia Beach sand — set up before you arrive, packed up after you leave.