Virginia BeachVirginia Beach, VA

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, walk in off the sand

Best conditions

In season, city code bans surfing from the Rudee Inlet jetty to 42nd Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends, except in two marked zones, one near 3rd to 5th Street and one just north of the jetty. A leash is required at all times, and the water between the inlet's two jetties is off limits to boards year-round.

Getting through the gate

The beach is free, with no hours beyond the citywide ban on sleeping on the sand from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The private Virginia Beach Fishing Pier at 15th Street charges to fish or walk out; its business page listed $15 for adults and $7 for children, with rod rental at $15 against an ID.

Parking

City garages at 9th, 25th and 31st Streets charge a rising hourly rate capped at $24 a day, resetting at 5 a.m.; the 9th and 25th Street garages open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 31st Street to 2 a.m. Most meters and the three city lots charge from April 1 through October 31 and sit free the rest of the year.

On site

restrooms, lifeguard on duty, parking lot

Watch for

Rip currents; the Oceanfront's lifeguard-stand signs, built to NOAA and United States Lifesaving Association guidance, say to watch the red flags and swim near a guard, Lifeguards patrol 9:30 a.m. to at least 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and city code bars swimming more than 50 yards out or beyond a lifeguard's control, The Rudee Inlet jetties are designated an unsafe area under city code, and climbing onto them is against the law

Checked 2026-08-24. Sources: City of Virginia Beach: our beaches, Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau: beach rules and safety, Virginia Beach Municipal Code 6-116, surfing (Municode), Virginia Beach Municipal Code 6-2 to 6-20 (Municode), City of Virginia Beach Public Works: resort area parking garages, City of Virginia Beach Public Works: resort area parking meters, City of Virginia Beach Public Works: resort area parking lots, City of Virginia Beach: dual language beach safety signs, Virginia Beach Fishing Pier (pier's business page).