Best time to visit Virginia Beach, United States

• Surfing — Swells are often small but rideable, with the Croatan beach area off General Booth Boulevard a local favorite. Surf camps run by Quicksilver and Billabong offer lessons from two-hour sessions to five-day camps, and the East Coast Surfing Championships draw top professionals each August.
• Kayaking and canoeing — Paddle through 121 navigable miles of waterways, from lagoon mazes to open ocean. Guided tours can get you alongside bottlenose dolphins, while the calm creeks of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park suit canoeists.
• Fishing — The convergence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic creates rich fishing grounds. Target species from croaker and flounder to tuna and marlin at various times of year; cast from one of four piers, book a private charter out of Rudee Inlet, or enter a tournament such as the Striped Bass World Championship.
• Dolphin and whale watching — Humpback and fin whales visit the mouth of the Bay from December through March, and Virginia Aquarium-led boat tours make close-up sightings possible. Bottlenose dolphins migrate through in spring, summer, and fall, often playing near kayaks on guided excursions.
• Running — The city hosts major road races including the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which attracts over 20,000 participants and live music along every mile, and the long-running Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon and Half Marathon.

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• Late May through early July — This window combines warm, comfortable temperatures averaging 23.2°C, very low rainfall around 3 mm daily, and abundant sunshine before the peak heat and humidity of late summer settle in.
• August — Good for surf-spectator energy and warm-water swimming; the East Coast Surfing Championships bring additional excitement, though expect higher humidity and larger crowds.
• December through March — Best months for whale watching, as humpback and fin whales migrate to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay; cooler but still mild enough for coastal exploration.

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• Plan transportation — During peak season, the oceanfront is best explored on foot, by bike, or via the HRT trolley. A rental car is only essential for trips outside the beach area.
• Book wildlife tours ahead — Whale-watching trips with the Virginia Aquarium and dolphin-kayak excursions fill up in season; reserve early, especially for December–March and summer weekends.
• Check fishing regulations — Both freshwater and saltwater licenses are required for most angling; licenses are available from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
• Boardwalk is walkable — The concrete Boardwalk and Atlantic Avenue are flat and family-friendly, with bike and surrey rentals available all along the oceanfront.

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