It's not an island. It just feels like one.
The only public entrance into Sandbridge is via Sandbridge Road, a scenic two-lane road running south and east from Virginia Beach's Princess Anne area. Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is just 50 minutes away, so guests traveling by air and renting a car won't have a long trip after landing.
Many rentals are right on the ocean, just steps from the white-sand beach. And even those that sit farther back - say, in the 3rd or 4th row - give you convenient access to Sandbridge Beach via public pathways.
Almost anything you can think of! Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, boating, parasailing, you name it. Back Bay's calm, shallow waters are especially good for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding). Check out our page on Sandbridge's best adventures and tours for more information.
If you're surf fishing, you'll need a Virginia Saltwater License. For fishing in fresh and/or brackish waters - for instance, Back Bay and its tributary creeks - you'll need a Virginia Freshwater License.
You can purchase your license online, by phone, or in person at numerous places throughout Virginia, including marinas, bait-and-tackle shops, sporting goods stores, supermarkets, and even Walmart super-stores.
Yes. Little Island Pier at Little Island District Park lets you fish all day - or all week - for a modest charge. Stretching 400 feet out into the ocean, this popular pier is the perfect place to cast your line for Atlantic sport fish like mackerel, croaker, drum, and flounder.
Best of all, the pier has its own blanket fishing license, so you won't need one of your own.
Yes, dogs are allowed on Sandbridge Beach during certain times. During the season - Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend - you can take your pooch out for a beachfront romp before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Off-season - winter and early spring - your pup is welcome on the beach anytime.
All year-round, though, leash laws are in effect, so be sure to keep your furry friend safely leashed whenever you're strolling by the shore.
If you're looking for dog-friendly rentals in Sandbridge, consider one of our properties. Be sure to read our guidelines and call if you have any questions!
No. Bonfires and fireworks are strictly forbidden. But there are plenty of perfectly legal ways to have a blast on the beach, so we don't think you'll miss the (illegal) pyrotechnics.
Short answer: No. No cars, trucks, SUVs, all-terrain vehicles, or motorcycles are allowed on the beach itself per city ordinance.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, lifeguards are on duty at two Sandbridge Beach locations: across from Sandbridge Market and at Little Island District Park.
At regular times throughout the day, lifeguards also drive dune buggies to patrol the rest of the beach.
Yes! Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park offer more than eight miles of gorgeous trails through a wide range of coastal habitats, from sand dunes to marshland to maritime forests. Depending on the time of year, you can spot all sorts of colorful wildlife - including migratory waterfowl like geese, ducks, and tundra swans. Just down Sandbridge Road is Lotus Garden Park, a quiet waterside retreat with a kayak/canoe/SUP launch.
You bet! Whether you prefer casual noshing or classic fine dining, you'll find something here to tickle your taste buds. Several restaurants are situated right on Back Bay, so you can savor spectacular sunsets along with your scrumptious meal. View our Sandbridge Beach dining guide for some fun ideas of where to eat when you visit!
Ask us anytime. We're always here to help... and ready to book your Sandbridge Beach reservation!
