Tidewater Boat Ramp Guide

Public boat launch ramps across the Chesapeake Bay — the sounds, creeks, and ocean inlets. Interactive map plus a verified directory with parking, dock, and fee details.

Jump to a Water Body

Lynnhaven River Rudee Inlet / Atlantic Ocean Chesapeake Bay Willoughby Bay Elizabeth River James River Nansemond River Freshwater (Lakes & Rivers)Pagan River / York River

Boat Ramp Map

Click a marker for ramp details. Orange = trailer ramp, teal = hand launch.

Trailer ramp

Hand launch

All Public Boat Ramps

GPS coordinates verified from Virginia DWR / VMRC, Dare County, and NPS sources. Unverified coords shown as "—".

Ramp	Water Body	Town	Parking	Dock	Fee / Notes
Lesner Bridge Ramp (Lynnhaven River) City of Virginia Beach	Lynnhaven River	Virginia Beach	25 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp on the Lynnhaven River at the Lesner Bridge. One of the most-used ramps in Virginia Beach.
Lynnhaven Boat Ramp City of Virginia Beach	Lynnhaven River	Virginia Beach	20 spaces	✓	Free Public access to the Lynnhaven River for inshore and Bay fishing.
Rudee Inlet Ramp (Virginia Beach Fishing Center) Virginia Beach Fishing Center / City	Rudee Inlet / Atlantic Ocean	Virginia Beach	30 spaces	✓	Fee charged The gateway to the Atlantic at Virginia Beach. Access to Rudee Inlet and offshore fishing. Fee ramp with nearby marina services.
Little Creek Amphibious Base Ramp Virginia Beach	Little Creek / Chesapeake Bay	Virginia Beach	20 spaces	✓	Free Access to Little Creek and the Chesapeake Bay.
Willoughby Bay Ramp City of Norfolk	Willoughby Bay / Chesapeake Bay	Norfolk	15 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp near the entrance to Willoughby Bay off the Chesapeake Bay.
Ocean View Ramp (Granby Street) City of Norfolk	Chesapeake Bay	Norfolk	12 spaces	✓	Free Bay access ramp in the Ocean View section of Norfolk.
Hampton River Ramp (Salt Ponds) City of Hampton	Hampton River / Chesapeake Bay	Hampton	25 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp at Salt Ponds Marina on the Hampton River.
Buckroe Beach Ramp City of Hampton	Chesapeake Bay	Hampton	15 spaces	✓	Free Bay access ramp near Buckroe Beach Fishing Pier.
James River Ramp (Hampton / Newport News) City of Newport News	James River	Newport News	20 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp on the lower James River near the Hampton Roads bridge.
Elizabeth River Ramp (Portsmouth) City of Portsmouth	Elizabeth River	Portsmouth	12 spaces	✓	Free Public access to the Elizabeth River.
Nansemond River Ramp (Suffolk) City of Suffolk	Nansemond River	Suffolk	20 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp on the Nansemond River for inshore fishing.
Western Branch Reservoir Ramp City of Chesapeake	Western Branch Reservoir (freshwater)	Chesapeake	20 spaces	✓	Free Freshwater reservoir access for bass and panfish. Requires VA freshwater license.
Back Bay Ramp (Little Island Park) City of Virginia Beach	Back Bay	Sandbridge	20 spaces	✓	Fee charged Access to Back Bay and the intracoastal waterways near Sandbridge.
Northwest River Park Ramp City of Chesapeake	Northwest River (freshwater)	Chesapeake	15 spaces	✓	Fee charged Freshwater access on the Northwest River.
Kiptopeke State Park Ramp Virginia State Parks	Chesapeake Bay	Kiptopeke	15 spaces	✓	Park entrance fee Bay access ramp on the Eastern Shore near the concrete ship piers.
Lake Drummond Ramp (Great Dismal Swamp) US Fish & Wildlife Service	Lake Drummond (freshwater)	Suffolk	10 spaces	✓	Free Access to Lake Drummond, the largest natural lake in Virginia (Great Dismal Swamp). Requires VA freshwater license.
Smithfield / Pagan River Ramp Town of Smithfield	Pagan River / James River	Smithfield	15 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp on the Pagan River, a tributary of the James River.
York River Ramp (Yorktown) York County	York River	Yorktown	15 spaces	✓	Free Public ramp on the lower York River for inshore and Bay fishing.

Boat Ramp Tips

• Most Tidewater public ramps are free and open 24 hours, but parking may fill early on weekends.
• The Chesapeake Bay is shallow in many areas — best for kayaks, canoes, and shallow-draft skiffs. Check depth before trailering a deep-V.
• the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) is the main ocean-access ramp for northern Tidewater (5 lanes, 77 trailer spaces).
• For inlet/ocean launches, always check tide and weather — Rudee Inlet and the CBBT can be treacherous on an outgoing tide.
• Always review ORV and beach-driving rules separately — those are sand access, not boat ramps.

← Back to Fishing Info