Lace up your hiking shoes and slather on some reef-safe sunscreen because epic outdoor adventures await you in Virginia Beach. From kayaking to ziplining to camping, there’s no shortage of ways to get out and into nature in this coastal town. Check out this list of the best outdoor activities in Virginia Beach to inspire your next nature-focused visit.
Water Sports
Virginia Beach is swimming with bodies of water – the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Back Bay and the Lynnhaven River – and all of them are fantastic for water sports. Whether you’re hoping to kayak or paddleboard, surf or swim, jet-ski or parasail, you can make it happen while you’re in town with the help of the many water sports outfitters, like the aptly named Virginia Beach Watersports and Poseidon Watersports.
While the waters in Virginia Beach are beautiful year-round, summer is prime time to enjoy them. Not only is it the warmest time of year, but summer is also when bottle dolphins like to make appearances in the Chesapeake Bay. While you may get lucky enough to see them on your own, it’s best to book a dedicated dolphin-watching excursion.
Hiking
Swap your sea legs for hiking boots and tackle some of the best hiking trails VB has to offer, starting with the ones in First Landing State Park. With nine trails running through seven distinct ecosystems, there’s a whole lot of nature to explore. Walk from one end of the park to the other on the six-mile Cape Henry Trail or opt for the shorter, 1.5-mile Bald Cypress Trail for a wetland-filled walk.
For a different hiking experience, head to the 4,321-acre False Cape State Park. Home to 15 hiking and biking trails, these paths are filled with 300 bird species, towering trees and even the occasional white-tailed deer. If you’re really up for a challenge, you can hike all the way to the southern edge of the park, where you’ll hit the North Carolina border.
Biking
With miles of bike-friendly trails through various landscapes, Virginia Beach is a cyclist’s paradise. There are over 100 miles of greenery-filled trails in the state and city parks, as well as a three-mile bike-friendly Oceanfront Boardwalk. While it’s hard to go wrong with any Virginia Beach biking trails, nothing beats the thrill of riding a fat tire bike along the sandy shoreline. (The wide tires make riding on wet sand feel almost as smooth as pavement!) Rent fat tire bikes from Surf and Adventure Co. or Ocean Rentals LTD for a day spent exploring the beaches of Little Island Park and beyond in true local fashion. It’s safe to say that no two biking experiences are the same in Virginia Beach.
Ziplining
The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium is the largest of its kind in Virginia and features multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses, perfect for thrill-seekers ages five and up. Soar through the air at heights up to 150 feet high! And when you land amongst the trees, suspended bridges and rope courses await. It’s the perfect spot for a family of adventurers.
Just down the road from the Adventure Park, you’ll find Adventureworks. Offering a more traditional ziplining experience, guests can enjoy nine ziplines, up to 1,000 feet long, including their popular tandem zipline. As you fly across each zipline, take in the beautiful tree and ocean views of the 60-acre maritime forest.
Fishing
Known as the “Rockfish Capital of the World,” Virginia Beach and its neighboring waters are home to a multitude of freshwater, brackish and saltwater fishing opportunities. But the food-rich waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean bring in more than just rockfish – dozens of species of fish have made their home in VB’s waters. Flounder and trout, mahi mahi and cobia, tuna and wahoo are just the beginning. It’s a fisher’s dream.
Launch your boat from one of several different ramp locations, or opt for a full or half-day private charter with Aquaman Sportfishing Charters. You also have the option to stay on land and cast your line from incredible fishing spots like the popular Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on Oceanfront, Little Island Park’s pier or Stumpy Lake Natural Area’s pier. Either way, you’ve got a chance of reeling in an epic catch.
Horseback Riding
October through May is, without a doubt, the best time for equine enthusiasts to visit Virginia Beach. During these cooler months of the year, riders can take to the sand on horseback and ride down the scenic shorelines. It makes for fun for the whole family or a romantic afternoon with your special someone. In fact, when ABC’s The Bachelor visited us in Season 22, this is how Lauren and Arie kicked off their date!
Virginia Beach Horseback offers guided rides along the surf during the fall, winter and spring. All riders will be instructed on how to become one with the horse before setting foot in a stirrup, so all experience levels are welcomed. Alternatively, take your Virginia Beach horseback riding experience beyond the sandy shores and onto greenery-filled trails with Chesapeake’s Triple R Ranch’s Saturday trail rides, available in the fall, winter and spring.
Camping
Not ready to leave nature behind as the sun goes down? Virginia Beach is home to a handful of campgrounds containing more than 2,000 campsites and cabins. Depending on the specific campground and campsite, you may have access to a slew of amenities, including restrooms, showers, laundry, bicycles, playgrounds, pools and boat ramps.
The Chesapeake Bay-front First Landing State Park may be the most popular of the campsites in town, given that it offers tent, RV and cabin camping accommodations. Then, there are the dozen or so campsites at False Cape State Park, which are best suited for truly off-the-grid campers. Holiday Trav-L-Park may be the most well-outfitted in terms of amenities, with everything from playgrounds to basketball courts, horseshoe pits to mini golf courses – and with 830 campsites for motorhomes, trailers and tents, as well as 44 cabins, there’s room for everyone.
Share this post
- Camping
- Hiking
- On the Water
- Things to Do
Written by Sarah Etinas
As a full-time freelance travel writer and editor, Sarah Etinas is always on the lookout for her next adventure. With a passion for exploring new destinations, she's covered everything from the vibrant food scene in Hawaii to the stunning outdoor landscapes of Florida. Her work has been featured in renowned publications like TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Thrillist, and Lonely Planet. When she's not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by hiking to beautiful waterfalls, visiting local markets, and dining on the most unique dishes she can find.
