Permits & Access FAQ

No. Virginia Beach oceanfront beaches are free and open to the public. No permit is needed for beach access or surf fishing. You do need a Virginia saltwater fishing license (unless fishing from a licensed pier). Vehicles are not permitted on the sand.

During lifeguard season (typically Memorial Day to Labor Day), surf fishing is restricted to areas outside designated swimming zones. Early morning and evening are the best times for surf fishing when the beaches are less crowded.

No. Unlike the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Virginia does not allow ORV (off-road vehicle) beach driving on its ocean beaches. Vehicles are prohibited on the sand at Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and all Chesapeake Bay beaches.

The OBX ORV permit systems — Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Currituck County/Carova, and Cape Lookout National Seashore — are all in North Carolina and do not apply in Virginia. If you want to drive on the beach, you'll need to head south to the Outer Banks.

In Virginia, beach access is by foot, bike, kayak, or boat. This makes Virginia's beaches quieter and more natural than the ORV-heavy OBX beaches.

Yes, Back Bay NWR requires a visitor entrance fee or an annual pass. You can purchase passes at the refuge visitor center or online through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• • Daily entrance fee: Available at the refuge entrance
• • Annual pass: Best value for frequent visitors
• • Federal recreation passes: Accepted (America the Beautiful, Senior, Military, etc.)

The refuge offers excellent surf fishing along the Atlantic beach, kayak and canoe fishing in Back Bay waters, and wildlife viewing. No vehicles are allowed on the beach — all access is by foot, bike, or kayak.

False Cape State Park is one of Virginia's most remote coastal areas, located south of Back Bay NWR. Access is by:

• • Foot or bike: Via trails through Back Bay NWR (approximately 5-6 miles from the parking area)
• • Kayak or canoe: Via Back Bay waters
• • Seasonal tram: Operated by the park during summer months from Back Bay NWR

A daily parking/entry fee or annual pass is required. The park offers primitive camping (permit required), excellent surf fishing, and back-bay fishing. There is no vehicle access to the park itself.

No individual license is needed to fish from Virginia's major piers. The piers hold ablanket license that covers all anglers:

• • Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
• • Ocean View Pier (Norfolk)
• • Buckroe Pier (Hampton)
• • Sandbridge Little Island Pier

Your pier admission fee includes license coverage — just pay and fish. This applies only while you're on the pier structure. If you leave the pier to fish from the beach or a boat, you'll need your own saltwater fishing license.

Rules vary by location:

• • Virginia Beach Oceanfront: Dogs allowed before 10 AM and after 6 PM during summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Off-season: all day. Must be leashed.
• • Sandbridge Beach: Similar seasonal restrictions — check local rules.
• • Back Bay NWR: Pets are generally not permitted on the refuge to protect wildlife. Check current policy.
• • False Cape State Park: Pets allowed but must be leashed. Check park rules.

Always keep dogs leashed, clean up after them, and keep them away from wildlife — especially nesting birds and sea turtles.

Most public boat ramps in Virginia are free or have a small launch fee(typically $5–$15). Some state parks and wildlife management areas require a daily parking pass or annual pass. Virginia DWR maintains numerous public boating access sites throughout the Tidewater region.

Check our Boat Ramp Guidefor a complete list of ramps in the Tidewater area.