11 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches In Virginia 2025

The Dog-friendly beaches in Virginia have a lot to offer for everyone. There are plenty of options for beach-loving dogs and their owners, from the picturesque shores of Virginia Beach to the serene beauty of Cape Charles. Many areas along the beach are pet-friendly, allowing dogs to run around or splash in the waves. Just be sure to check specific rules and regulations for each area before heading out.

 Among all the coasts, Virginia Beach is the most popular destination for vibrant activities. Seashores like Cape Charles or Chincoteague Beach are perfect for relaxed holiday modes. Virginia offers some of the best sandy spots for canines.

Discover dog-friendly beaches in Virginia! Learn about pet-friendly zones, leash policies, and seasonal guidelines for a perfect seaside adventure with your furry companion.

1. First Landing State Park  Beach – Cape Henry, Virginia

First Landing State Park Beach in Cape Henry is the perfect holiday destination for a family with pets. The large sand coast stretches along more than 2500 acres. Visitors can stay for hours and enjoy different activities. There are camping grounds, picnic spots, grills, bathrooms, changing areas, and many other amenities. 

Visitors can set up camps on the ground to spend the night on the coast. Pet owners must pay small pet fees to the park authority to keep pets on the camping ground. Dogs are allowed on the beach during the summer season.

However, they must be on a leash except for service animals. Lifeguard services and handicap access are available here. It’s one of the most popular Beaches in Virginia. 

• Nearby Attractions: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, First Landing State Park
• Address: 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1415

2. Virginia Beach – Virginia

Virginia Beach is one of Virginia’s most popular dog-friendly beaches, and there is a celebration here every day. People come here to enjoy their holidays, breathe fresh salty air, enjoy natural beauty, stay in luxury resorts, and rejoice in the happening concerts on the sands. This seacoast lies in the southeastern region of the State at the meeting spot of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

A 3-mile-long boardwalk runs beside the ocean’s shoreline. Bayside First Landing State Park is situated here. It marks the first arrival of the Jamestown colonists of England in 1607. Visitors can see the marine life at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center here. 

The bustling town of Virginia Shore is flourishing with local history, rich culinary spots, art centers,  entertainment, and natural scenic beauty. It’s the perfect holiday destination throughout the year. Every corner of the beach has something to offer, from the distinct parts to the dynamic front areas. Pups are welcomed here throughout the year. 

• Nearby Attractions: Grommet Island Park, Virginia Legends Walk.
• Address: 420 Birdneck Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 

3. Sandbridge Virginia Beach

Sandbridge Beach is a hidden gem among many dog-friendly beaches in Virginia. Strengthen your legs, relax on the white sand, or enjoy different activities here. This coast is just 15 miles south of the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

Sandbridge is a slender land formation between the Back Bay in the West and the Atlantic Ocean in the East. To reach it, visitors need to go via Sandbridge Road, a two-lane road that runs southeast of the Princess Anne Area of Virginia Beach. Back Bay Nation Wildlife Refuge is perfect for hiking while enjoying different coastal animals. 

There are many luxurious properties available here for rent. All of these have amenities suitable for a luxury holiday. Sandbridge has different types of restaurants suitable for every taste and style.

This shore is perfect for enjoying surfing, fishing, kayaking, etc., activities. Pups on leashes are allowed to roam freely on the beach. Lifeguard service is available on the beach. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the sand. Also, no fireworks are permitted. 

• Nearby Attractions: False Cape State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. 
• Address: 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900. Richmond, VA 23219

4. Virginia Beach Oceanfront – Virginia

Oceanfront Beach is the most popular and happening dog-friendly beach in Virginia. The beach offers live music performances, street artists, open-seating cafes, street food joints, and more. The celebrated 3-mile Broadwalk is popular for rollerblading, jogging, and other fun activities.

The Sand is stretched from the Croatan in the South to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a perfect spot for surfers to enjoy big waves. Many people like to enjoy the sunny weather. Besides lifeguard duty, there are permanent restrooms available beside the boardwalk. 

The Oceanfront Beach is always bustling with crowds. Free parking is available in different parts during various seasons. Pet owners can use a longer leash for their furry babies on the beach. This Virginia beach creates a memorable vacation for every beach lover. 

• Nearby Attractions: Neptune’s Park, Virginia Legends Walk
• Address: 2100 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

5. Buckroe Beach – Hampton, Virginia

Buckroe Beach is a 3-mile-long beautiful coastal land bordering the Chesapeake Bay, neighboring the city of Hampton. The shore lies north of Fort Monroe, a former army installation.

This dog-friendly beach in Virginia is perfect for enjoying holidays during the off-season. The seashore is equipped with all the amenities, like rental picnic shelters with tables and grills, an observation pier, a pavilion with a stage for events, large restrooms, outdoor showers, a nautical-design playground, food stalls, a fishing pier,  etc. There is enough open space on the sand to enjoy games. 

Rules for domesticated animals are strict in Buckroe Beach. They are prohibited from the playground throughout the year.  Pups should always be on a leash as long as they are on sand.  Visitors here enjoy different sports activities like surfing, jet skiing, swimming, etc. 

• Nearby Attractions: Hampton History Museum, Blackbeard’s Point
• Address: 22 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor, Hampton, VA 23669

6. Chesapeake Bay Beach – Virginia

Chesapeake Bay Beach, locally known as Chic’s Beach,  is the perfect destination for a relaxed holiday vibe. This coast’s gentle waves and quiet environment are ideal for building sand castles, watching dolphins in action, playing each volley with friends, and enjoying evening walks on the sand.

All you need to do is lie back on the beach while appreciating the beautiful sunset over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The feeling is serene. 

Pets are allowed to roam around on the beach during certain periods. Owners must use a leash and be responsible for their munchkins. Pup-parents need to be extra careful when cleaning up after them. Bonfires, camping, horse riding, etc., are prohibited on the sand. Many rentals, hotels, etc., are nearby to accommodate every pet owner.

• Nearby Attractions: First Landing State Park, Pleasure House Point Natural Area. 
• Address: 240 Business Park Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 

7. Ocean View Beach – Norfolk, Virginia

Ocean View Beach is popular for different events and fun-filled holidays. Owners can bring their pups to enjoy some fun time, too. This 7.5-mile Norfolk coast is perfect for sunbathing, fishing, swimming, crabbing, and other exciting events.

Among many facilities available here are picnic tables, bathhouses, a boardwalk, beach handicapped ramp access, lifeguard service, playgrounds, etc. 

The Ocean View Beach Park is the gem of this beach. There is a band shell beside lots of open green space where you can enjoy different band performances during the summer. Celebrated bands and musicians perform here on weekends. The authorities organize star-gazing parties on shore on weekend evenings.

Visitors are invited to the Gazebo for live performances. The all-night parties at  Ocean View Beach are popular among the young generations. 

• Nearby Attractions: Bay Oaks Park, Sarah Constant Beach Park. 
• Address: 100 W Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23503

8. Outlook Beach – Hampton, Virginia

Outlook Beach is the public beach in Fort Monroe. This dog-friendly coast offers beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay. The famous Fort Monroe National Monument is right across the beach. People love to visit this shore to enjoy some quiet time among the relaxed vibes of picnics, swimming, fishing, etc. Some beachgoers visit to observe the wildlife on the sand. 

Pups like to roam around the beach or splash in the water. Lifeguard service is available during the summertime. Other amenities, like changing rooms, restrooms, etc., are available on the shore. People love to stretch their legs while watching the passing ships, the picturesque Bay, and the beautiful sunrise.

• Nearby Attractions: Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. 
• Address: Hampton, VA 23651, USA

9. Cape Charles Beach – Cape Charles, Virginia

Cape Charles’s coast is 10 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in the Eastern shoreline of Virginia. King’s Creek is located north of the coastal town, while Old Plantation Creek is southeast. Chesapeake Bay is located to the west of the coastal town. The public beach is considered one of the most peaceful shores in Virginia.

The clear water of Chesapeake Bay attracts thousands of tourists every year. Pups and pet owners also love this beach. The bay’s convergence with the Atlantic Ocean creates a delightful vacation spot for every nature lover. Children and dogs splash in the peaceful water while parents relax on the white sand. 

Cape Charles offers high-end shopping centers, luxury restaurants, museums, golf courses, marinas, boat ramps, and seaside luxury rental properties. These amenities make it a perfect lavish holiday destination. 

• Nearby Attractions: Cape Charles Historic District, Central Park. 
• Address: 4 Bay Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310, United States

10. Colonial Beach – Virginia

Colonial Beach is located at the northern tip of North Virginia. It is encircled by the Potomac River in the east and Monroe Bay in the west. Colonial Beach shares this unique geographical location only with a few other coasts. This spot has always attracted many water sports enthusiasts. Popular activities on the sands here are fishing, crabbing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming. 

Colonial Beach holds an esteemed position in American history. It’s the birthplace of George Washington. The nearby Stratford Hall is the ancestral home of the famous Lee family. Westmoreland County is the birthplace of James Monroe. This coastal town was also involved in the Renaissance during the 40s and 50s. The owners and pups love this beach, so enjoy a fun time there. 

• Nearby Attractions: Town Hill, Museum at Colonial Beach
• Address: 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900. Richmond, VA 23219

11. Haven Beach – Mathews, Virginia

Haven Beach is a hidden gem in Mathews for beach lovers. This beautiful coastal area is less crowded than other popular ones in Virginia. It has a designated swimming area, lifeguard service, lighting, parking space, etc. People who like to escape the bustling cities and enjoy quiet time by the Chesapeake Bay must visit this coast. 

There are marshes and bushy green areas on the sand. This makes lovely nesting grounds for migratory birds besides shorebirds. This area is excellent for birdwatching. Beachgoers often come around wild animals on the beach. Pet owners must use leashes to control their pups to avoid such encounters. 

• Nearby Attractions: New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Gwynn’s Island Museum
• Address: State Rte 645, Diggs, VA 23045

Dog-Friendly Beaches Near You

Conclusion

The dog-friendly beaches in Virginia provide a relaxing escape for everyone in the family, with stunning views, fresh sea air, and the sound of crashing waves. These coasts cater to the choices of every pup, whether they love splashing water or simply lounging in the sun. Enjoy quality time with your pup while creating lasting memories against Virginia’s beautiful coastline.