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Tidewater Virginia Boat Ramps
Public boat ramps and launch sites throughout Tidewater Virginia — from the Chesapeake Bay to freshwater lakes and tidal rivers.
Public Boat Ramps
A full list of public boat ramps in the Tidewater Virginia region. Most are free or have a small launch fee. State parks require a daily parking fee or annual pass.
| Ramp Name | Water Body | Town / Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynnhaven Boat Ramp | Lynnhaven Inlet / Chesapeake Bay | Virginia Beach | Popular access to Lynnhaven Inlet and lower Chesapeake Bay. Paved ramp, parking available. |
| Rudee Inlet Boat Ramp | Rudee Inlet / Atlantic Ocean | Virginia Beach | Direct ocean access via Rudee Inlet. Busy during fishing season. Fee required. |
| Owl Creek Boat Ramp | Owl Creek / Atlantic Ocean | Virginia Beach | Access to Rudee Inlet and ocean. Near the Virginia Beach Fishing Center. |
| First Landing State Park | Chesapeake Bay | Virginia Beach | State park boat ramp on the Chesapeake Bay. Daily parking fee or annual pass required. |
| Kiptopeke State Park | Chesapeake Bay | Cape Charles (Eastern Shore) | Concrete boat ramp on the lower Chesapeake Bay. Excellent for cobia, red drum, and striped bass. |
| Sunset Beach Boat Ramp | Chesapeake Bay | Cape Charles | Public ramp near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Good access to Bay fishing. |
| Willoughby Boat Ramp | Chesapeake Bay / Hampton Roads | Norfolk | Access to lower Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads. Near the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. |
| Ocean View Boat Ramp | Chesapeake Bay | Norfolk | Public ramp in the Ocean View area. Good access to Bay fishing. |
| Buckroe Boat Ramp | Chesapeake Bay | Hampton | Public ramp near Buckroe Beach and Pier. Access to lower Bay. |
| Grandview Boat Ramp | Chesapeake Bay | Hampton | Access to Chesapeake Bay near Grandview Nature Preserve. |
| Menchville Boat Ramp | James River | Newport News | Access to the tidal James River. Good for catfish, striped bass, and croaker. |
| Deep Creek Boat Ramp | James River | Newport News | Access to upper James River near the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. |
| Chickahominy Riverfront Park | Chickahominy River / James River | Williamsburg | Access to the Chickahominy River and tidal James. Excellent freshwater/brackish fishing. |
| Northwest River Park | Northwest River | Chesapeake | Freshwater ramp on the Northwest River. Good for bass, crappie, and panfish. Park entry fee. |
| Lake Prince Boat Ramp | Lake Prince | Suffolk | Freshwater reservoir ramp. Largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. |
| Western Branch Reservoir | Western Branch Reservoir | Suffolk | Freshwater reservoir. City permit may be required. Bass and panfish. |
| Lake Smith Boat Ramp | Lake Smith | Norfolk | City reservoir. Freshwater fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. |
| Lake Whitehurst Boat Ramp | Lake Whitehurst | Norfolk | City reservoir. Freshwater fishing. Check city access rules. |
| Lake Drummond Access | Lake Drummond (Great Dismal Swamp) | Chesapeake/Suffolk | Access via Dismal Swamp Canal Trail or Lake Drummond Reservation. Largest natural lake in Virginia. Managed by USFWS. |
| Eastern Shore NWR | Atlantic Ocean / Coastal Bays | Eastern Shore | Boat ramps providing access to coastal bays and Atlantic. Check refuge rules. |
Boat Ramp Tips
- • Most public ramps are free; some charge a small launch fee ($5–$15).
- • State parks (First Landing, Kiptopeke) require a daily parking fee or annual pass.
- • City reservoirs (Lake Smith, Lake Whitehurst, Lake Prince) may require a city permit.
- • Arrive early on weekends and during fishing season — popular ramps fill up fast.
- • Always check tide charts for shallow-water ramps, especially at low tide.
- • Verify current access rules before visiting — some ramps have seasonal hours.
Don't Forget Your License
You need a Virginia fishing license to fish from a boat. Saltwater license (VMRC) for the Bay and ocean, freshwater license (DWR) for lakes and rivers.