There's a lot more to Sandbridge Beach than sun, sand, and serenity. This magical coastal retreat offers countless cool things to do including hiking and biking, birding and boating, fishing and kayaking, oceanfront dining and more.
Here's a wonderful itinerary your family can follow to create a perfect day at Sandbridge Beach, VA.
Visit the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The southern Virginia coast teems with wildlife and waterfowl, including thousands of migratory birds that stop off to rest, nest, and feed.
For a glimpse of these feathery friends, come to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Sandbridge Beach. Here you can hike eight scenic trails through maritime fields and forests, over sand dunes and unspoiled beaches, and along grass-fringed freshwater marshes.
Depending on the time of year, you can spot tundra swans, Canada geese, bald eagles, black ducks, snow geese, piping plovers, and more... along with loggerhead turtles and other fascinating critters.
Up for a bit more hiking? Take the East Dike or West Dike Trail to enter False Cape State Park, where you can wander through untouched wilderness to reach a six-mile stretch of pristine Atlantic beachfront. Perfect place for a mid-day picnic!
Try Kayaking on Back Bay
Ready for more outdoor fun? Visit Sandbridge Surf &Adventure Company at 577 Sandbridge Road. Here you can rent or buy assorted boating gear, including kayaks and canoes.
Plus, you can arrange a kayaking tour over beautiful Back Bay. No experience is necessary; your tour guide will show you the ropes and make sure you're safe and sound throughout the entire adventure.k
Play at Little Island Park
Rather play sports than get out on the water? Just north of the Back Bay Refuge, you'll find Little Island Park, 144 scenic acres of shoreside R&R.
Here you can sit back and relax as your children romp and play at the state-of-the-art playground. Or, if you're up for it, you can try your hand at pickleball, basketball, tennis, and/or volleyball.
Feeling the afternoon heat? Take a refreshing dip in the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. The park has two beautiful beaches - a 2,000-foot beach for swimming and a 775-foot beach for surfing.
Enjoy angling? Bring your own fishing pole and tackle to the 400-foot-long Little Island Pier, next to the beach at the park. For a small fee - no license required - you can cast your line for gray trout, croaker, bluefish, mackerel, drum, and other saltwater favorites.
Or you can simply stroll along the pier to enjoy the ocean views (and the colorful "people show").
Stop and Shop
No vacation is complete without several cool souvenirs. Buy a few beach-themed T-shirts and stock up on everything from bracelets to baskets to beachballs at Sandpiper Beach Shop at Sandbridge Seaside Market (2521 Sandpiper Road). You'll love browsing the varied assortment of gifts, trinkets, knick-knacks, and more.
Enjoy a Delectable Dinner
After all that fresh-air fun, you've probably worked up an appetite. Fortunately, Sandbridge Beach offers several great options for truly memorable dining. Seeking a fine-dining experience with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe? Come to Sandbridge Island Restaurant at Sandbridge Seaside Market for fresh, luscious seafood, thick, juicy steaks, all-you-can-eat shrimp and crab legs, pizza, burgers, and more. Be sure to reserve a seaside table for a breathtaking view of the ocean.
Looking for something a little livelier? Try Baja Restaurant at 3701 Sandpiper Road. This casual bayside bistro serves up scrumptious surf & turf along with live entertainment. Added bonus: stunning views of the sunset over the water.
Too tuckered to dine out? Grab some tasty takeout at SimplySteamed (2545 Sandpiper Road) and bring it back to your rental. Their food-focused menu includes favorites like yummy lobster rolls and succulent shrimp and scallops.
After dinner, why not take one last leisurely stroll on the shore? The coast is an entirely new world at night. Savor the sights and sounds with moonlight sparkling on the waves and surf pounding the sand.
Bring a flashlight and take off on a fascinating hunt for nocturnal wildlife. Using a lens covered with red cellophane, search for hatching turtle eggs, sea turtles coming onshore, or bats flying overhead. On the way back to your Sandbridge vacation rental, you might spot deer, raccoons, or other native critters.
Please Note: While these residents of Sandbridge Beach are adorable to look at, they are wild animals. Take pictures from a distance and never try to touch them.
Then turn in for the night at your comfortable seaside vacation rental. Be sure to get a good night's sleep, so you'll be rested up for tomorrow's adventures. Sound like a plan? Pack the car, gather the family, and take off for Sandbridge Beach!
