Your Guide to Surfing in Virginia Beach, VA
If you're planning a surf trip to Virginia Beach, you're in luck. This coastline has always had a lively surf culture, and now it has something no other beach town on the East Coast can claim: a world-class wave lagoon a few blocks from the real ocean. Here's your guide to surfing in Virginia Beach, from the classic breaks to the brand-new Atlantic Park Surf, plus where to stay.
Atlantic Park Surf: Virginia Beach's Newest Wave
The biggest thing to happen to Virginia Beach surfing in decades opened in August 2025, and it isn't in the ocean at all. Atlantic Park Surf is home to North America's first Wavegarden Cove, an engineered lagoon generating up to 1,000 rideable waves an hour across 7 skill levels, from one-foot whitewater for first-timers to six-foot faces for advanced surfers. It's the centerpiece of the $350 million Atlantic Park district, backed in part by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams, alongside The Dome live-music venue and shops, all walkable. Sessions run 55 minutes for $90 to $161 depending on level, with wetsuits and boards included through the beginner and progressive levels. Not surfing? A $10 sunset beach pass gets you lagoon-side after 5pm to watch.
1st Street Jetty & 15th Street Pier: The Classic Oceanfront Breaks
Once you've got your feet under you, Virginia Beach's coastline delivers the real thing. 1st Street Jetty, at the south end of the Oceanfront, is one of the most popular breaks in the city with reliable waves year-round, best in fall, and home to the annual East Coast Surfing Championships. A dozen blocks north, 15th Street Pier offers easier paddling and well-formed right-hand waves on the south side, while the north side, known as "The Box," can throw fast, punchy barrels for more experienced surfers.
Croatan Beach & Sandbridge: Quieter Breaks Worth the Drive
For surfers who'd rather skip the crowds, head south. Croatan Beach, just over the Rudee Inlet Bridge, is a local favorite with a predominant left and a more laid-back vibe. Further south, Sandbridge Beach offers several breaks and far fewer people. Both are a short drive rather than a walk from most of our rentals, which is exactly what keeps them uncrowded.
Gear Up: Surf Shops & Lessons in Virginia Beach
No board? No problem. Wave Riding Vehicles, Coastal Edge, 17th Street Surf Shop, and Pungo Board House have all the gear you need, and VB Surf Sessions offers lessons if you want a coach in the water first.
Ready to Book Your Surf Trip?
Whether you want a lagoon session at Atlantic Park Surf or a dawn patrol at the jetty, we've got a home base for it. Browse all of our Virginia Beach vacation rentals below and lock in your dates.