Sandbridge Beach

Sandbridge Beach is Virginia Beach's quieter, more residential beach community, located about 15 minutes south of the oceanfront boardwalk area. This 5-mile stretch of largely undeveloped shoreline offers a dramatically different beach experience — no high-rise hotels, no boardwalk, no crowds — just wide sand, rolling waves, and the peace of a true coastal escape.

The beach experience at Sandbridge is defined by space and serenity. The sand is wide, the crowds are thin (even in peak season), and the backdrop is dunes and beach houses rather than concrete and neon. Families can spread out, build elaborate sand engineering projects, play beach games, and swim without jostling for position.

The waves are similar to the oceanfront — good for boogie boarding and body surfing — but with a fraction of the swimmers.

Most visitors to Sandbridge stay in vacation rental houses, many of which are oceanfront or ocean-view properties with private beach access. Renting a house provides a family-friendly home base with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and the convenience of walking directly to the beach. The rental house culture creates a neighborly, family-oriented community atmosphere.

Sandbridge's southern boundary connects to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a 9,250-acre preserve that protects critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Families can hike, bike, and kayak through the refuge, spotting ospreys, herons, deer, and seasonally spectacular concentrations of snow geese and other waterfowl. The transition from beach vacation to wildlife refuge — without driving anywhere — is unique and valuable for nature-loving families.

The trade-off for Sandbridge's tranquility is limited commercial development. There's one restaurant, one small market, and no boardwalk entertainment. Families need to plan ahead and stock up on groceries before arriving. For most Sandbridge regulars, this is a feature, not a bug — the lack of commercialism is precisely what makes it special.