Best Places to Kayak in Virginia Beach
From the beach to the inland bays, there are so many ways to explore Virginia Beach’s waters. A popular way is by kayaking. Kayaking is a fantastic way to get out on the water. These also offer opportunities to get close to Virginia Beach’s wildlife. Paddle by dolphins in the Atlantic or spot wild birds in Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Best Places to Kayak in Virginia Beach
Here are the best places to kayak in Virginia Beach.
Atlantic Ocean
Experienced kayakers and paddlers will love exploring the vast Atlantic Ocean. The waves along the Oceanfront create a fun, yet challenging, trip. Launch from Rudee Inlet or Little Island Park in Sandbridge to paddle out to sea.
Rudee Inlet
If you’re not ready for the Atlantic Ocean, start small by kayaking within Rudee Inlet. Lake Rudee and Lake Wesley are calm enough waters for paddlers of all ages and abilities. The Owl Creek Boat Ramp on General Booth Boulevard also provides access to Rudee Inlet.
Chesapeake Bay
The calmer waters of the Chesapeake Bay are also a great place for kayakers of all skill levels. Launch from a point near Chic’s Beach or First Landing State Park to head into the bay. There you will find plenty of friendly animals and aquatic wildlife. You can even paddle out to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Inland Bays
Virginia Beach has a number of inland bays that feed out into larger bodies of water. Launch your kayak and explore a different side to Virginia Beach. These are great spots to watch the sunset or cast a line. Launch into Linkhorn Bay, North Bay, West Neck Creek, London Bridge Creek, Ashville Bridge Creek, Muddy Creek, Oakum Creek, Thalia Creek, Elizabeth River, Lynnhaven River, North Landing River and Stumpy Lake from launch points across the city. Local parks near these bays even offer kayak rentals.
First Landing State Park
Bring your own or rent a kayak from First Landing State Park. There you can launch into the Broad Bay and paddle to Linkhorn Bay. First Landing has solo and tandem kayak rentals for one or four hours. This gives you plenty of time to explore the natural surroundings.
Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
In the Sandbridge area, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge also offers small boat launches. Bring your canoe or kayak and launch from Horn Point into the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is another fantastic place to spot local wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, deer, bobcats, river otters and more.
Kayaking Tours in Virginia Beach
While it’s easy to set off on your own, you can learn and see more by booking a kayak tour from a local company. There are several that explore Virginia Beach’s various waterways. Here are our favorite kayak tours in Virginia Beach.
Adventure Parasail offers kayak and paddleboard rentals at Rudee Inlet. For one hour, you or yourself and a partner can explore the bay’s waters.
Offering several types of kayak adventures, Chesapean Outdoors can take you out on a few of Virginia Beach’s aquatic landscapes. Get up close with bottlenose dolphins at the North End of the Oceanfront, or explore First Landing State Park on a small, guided tour. Watch the sun set over the Chesapeake Bay on a Sunset Dolphin tour. Chesapean’s first tour, The Cape Tour, is still a favorite. This three-hour tour takes kayakers from the ocean to the bay.