Located at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a water lover’s wonderland. Kayakers know that nothing beats dipping a paddle into water and gliding into a gorgeous landscape. Newbies and kayak kings and queens alike will find plenty to love in Virginia Beach. Prime paddling options include rivers, bays, marshes, lakes and streams, and—if you’re the experienced type– open ocean. The waterways of Virginia Beach offer sweet serenity, dazzling scenery and the chance to get up close and personal with nature and wildlife.
Meet the Local Marine Life
Virginia Beach is one of the best places in the world to paddle with dolphins—a truly unforgettable experience. The Chesapeake Bay is a favorite cetacean gathering spot; look for them in the calmer inland waterways, and where the ocean meets the bay. If seeing one of Willy’s descendants is high on your wish list, book a dolphin-watching tour with Tula Adventure Sports in Chesapeake Bay, or Chesapean Outdoors on the Oceanfront. On your own, launch near Chic’s Beach and First Landing State Park: good access points for paddlers of all skill levels.
Experience Beginner’s Bliss
Kayaking is like riding a bike, except that you use your arms instead of your legs. Paddling is easy to learn, but it does take balance, rhythm and upper-body strength. On a guided tour, you’ll probably do about 1.5–2 hours of total paddling. If you’re unsure you’re up to the task, or if you weigh less than 100 pounds, you might want to bring a paddling buddy and share a double kayak. Also: you will get wet. Some tours and outfitters use sit-on-top kayaks, so there’s splashing involved (in the cooler months, most use covered kayaks.) Calm, sheltered Rudee Inlet, at the south end of the Oceanfront, is a great place for that first-time paddle.
Use a Kayak Vending Machine
DIY Kayak rentals are now available at some Virginia Beach parks, courtesy of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation. Self-service kiosks are available at Munden Point Park in the Pungo District, Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area, Chesapeake Bay, and Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Inland District, operating from April through November. Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone, download the app, and follow the prompts to rent a kayak. Designed for paddlers age 18 and up, kayak rentals come with paddles and a personal flotation device; BYO sunscreen, bottle of water, and sense of adventure.
Put In and Cast Off
Paddling is a great way to reach some prime local fishing spots. Try your luck against local swimmers like stripers, bluefish and tautog. Popular launching points include Dozier Bridge, Hutton Circle, Birdneck Launch and Owl Creek Boat Ramp. Most outfitters, including Tula Adventure Sports, rent kayaks suitable for fishing; Tula is also launching a guided kayak fishing experience.
Seas the Day or Skirt the Narrows
Are you an experienced paddler hoping for a truly exhilarating excursion? Head out to the open ocean. Rudee Inlet and Little Island Park in Sandbridge are great launching points. Rent from a local outfitter such as VB Surf Sessions in the ViBe Creative District. They’ll even deliver the kayak to you.
The skinny waterway known as The Narrows borders First Landing State Park. Think minimal traffic, calm waters, and delightful wildlife watching—look for blue herons, ospreys, kingfishers, bald eagles, egrets, and cownose rays as you go. Launch your vessel at Broad Bay and paddle to Linkhorn Bay, a three-mile trip, or book a guided nature tour with GoKayak!, on the Oceanfront, or Chesapean Outdoors.
Meander Through the Marshes
Slip into the saltwater marshes of the Lynnhaven River in the Chesapeake Bay District and watch your cares melt away as you choose your adventure along 150 miles of moderately challenging shoreline. Use caution, as the river and its tributaries can be as deep as four feet or as shallow as three inches. Be sure to note the tides and prevailing winds; they can dramatically impact the depth of the water.
Fill Your Insta Feed
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most treasured beauty spots in Virginia Beach; icon-wise, it’s right up there with the King Neptune statue. Located in Sandbridge, the refuge features 9,000 acres of natural splendor—so those Instagram photos will practically take themselves. Launch at Horn Point Creek and paddle through freshwater swamps, brackish waters, and under canopies of trees. Or hook up with Surf & Adventure Company for a guided tour.
Dinner with a Dip
For those days when your sun-baked sack lunch loses its appeal, here’s a much tastier way to go: Blue Pete’s Dinner Tour, an excursion offered by Surf & Adventure Company. You’ll paddle alongside the stunning bald cypress trees of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, stopping for dinner at Blue Pete’s in Pungo, a time-honored spot for a wonderful seafood meal. The outfitter also offers lunchbox tours featuring a guided paddle and a tasty lunch. Trips launch from Surf & Adventure Company’s dock, with access to tributaries of Back Bay and the open water of North Bay.
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