A quiet moment on Virginia Beach before the summer crowds arrive.  

Virginia Beach is packed with hotels and condos to suit all tastes and budgets.  

Virginia Beach boasts one of the mid-Atlantic region's best surf scenes. Day and multi-day surf camps are available for newbies to the sport.  

Even non-surfers can get in on the wave action!  

The King Neptune statue is one of the signature sights along the bustling Virginia Beach Boardwalk.  

Beyond the beach, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is home to hundreds of species, including nurse sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays.  

Migrating humpback and minke whales pass through the area on their way south from northern breeding grounds, with whale-watching tours available from December through March.  

Rudee Inlet (pictured in foreground) anchors Virginia Beach’s southern end and is where Virginia Beach’s popular whale- and dolphin-watching tours depart.  

During the summer, dolphin-watching tours are a popular excursion. The mammals can also be easily spotted from the beach.  

Cape Henry Lighthouse guards the northern end of Virginia Beach. Nearby, First Landing State Park offers walking trails, beach access, and camping.  

Surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all popular summer activities. Several outfitters also offer guided kayaking trips through Virginia Beach’s back bay inlets and marshlands.  

Virginia Beach's three-mile boardwalk is center of all the action, with a dedicated two-lane trail for bikes and surreys.  

While summer is the high season here, winter’s off-season still offers plenty of events and attractions (not to mention, slimmer crowds!).  

Be warned: getting to Virginia Beach can be a traffic nightmare during weekends and the holiday season, though it’s worth it once you arrive!  

The Virginia Beach Oceanfront Fishing Pier offers the chance to hook pompano, kingfish, pigfish, trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and numerous other tasty morsels.