Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Boardwalk

The beach and boardwalk are publicly accessible throughout the day, subject to emergency and event closures. Lifeguards generally staff the Oceanfront from 9:30 a.m. to at least 6:00 p.m. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Use a city garage, municipal surface lot or legal metered space in the Resort Area. Rates are dynamic in 2026, so compare the live city parking map rather than relying on an old flat rate; garages are usually simpler for a longer family visit.

Choose a street number before leaving. Grommet Island and Rudee Inlet are at the south end, the fishing-pier area is near 15th Street, and King Neptune is at 31st Street; the general Oceanfront pin is not a useful meeting point.

Permanent public restrooms are located at 2nd, 17th, 20th, 24th, 30th and 31st streets. Seasonal operating conditions and maintenance can affect individual facilities.

Beach, boardwalk, bike path, monuments and city parks are free. Parking, rentals, fishing-pier access, food, concerts and ticketed events charge separately.

The boardwalk is paved and Grommet Island provides an accessible beach playground and access route. Beach wheelchairs and access mats are available at selected locations; sand conditions still vary.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, leashed dogs may use the boardwalk from 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., but dogs are not allowed on the Resort Area sandy beach from Rudee Loop to 42nd Street. North and south beaches allow dogs before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Off-season, dogs may use the beach and boardwalk throughout the day; boardwalk leashes and cleanup rules still apply.

Lifeguarded summer zones, Grommet Island, street-end playgrounds and frequent restrooms make the central Oceanfront practical for families. Keep children within arm's reach in surf and separate from the bicycle path.

Seasonal WAVE trolleys and Hampton Roads Transit serve the Resort Area. Walking and biking are effective once parked, but bicycles and surreys belong on the separate bike path, not the boardwalk.

There is no single best Oceanfront entrance. Glass, public alcohol consumption and many disruptive activities are prohibited; storms, rip currents, special events and military aircraft noise can change the experience quickly. Check flags and lifeguard direction before swimming.

Check current Hampton Roads weather, surf and rip-current forecasts, tides, wind, heat index, air quality and operator alerts. Thunderstorms, coastal flooding, high water, extreme heat and special events can independently affect roads, beaches, trails, bridges or facilities.