Virginia Beach for Nature Lovers
Of course when you think of Virginia Beach, you expect to see the miles and miles of beautiful, white sand beaches and vast expanse of the blue Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Beach, however, is home to a wide variety of landscapes and natural environments waiting to be explored.
Two of the most fun outdoor activities on the ocean include whale watching during the winter and dolphin watching during the summer. A number of companies provide tours, including the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, but sign up early during the summer! These trips are popular and guarantee a fun and information filled trip out onto the Atlantic Ocean.
For those not eager to venture onto the ocean, the flat land provides ample opportunities to come into contact with animals as well. There is a vast expanse of trails in the Seashore to Cypress Birding Trail, which links various locations, such as the First Landing State Park and the False Cape State Park, among others, and provides a natural and protected environment for a variety of birds, including gulls, terns, pelicans, ibises, skimmers, and the majestic egrets and great blue herons.
The First Landing State Park is a block off of the oceanfront, covering nearly 3,000 acres of wetlands, dunes, beaches, trails, tree-covered forests, and trails for walking, running and biking. The First Landing State Park is practically an anomaly; a pristine and natural expanse of quietness in the heart of Virginia Beach’s tourist and attraction center. The park also commemorates the first 100 English settlers’ landing on April 26, 1607, and the establishment of the first elected government.
A short drive from the oceanfront, you will find another gorgeous nature preserve in the North Landing River Reserve; twice the size of First Landing State Park, these 7,300 acres of wetlands and uplands along the North Landing River stretch into the neighboring city of Chesapeake. The North Landing River Reserve contains five wetland communities rare in Virginia, and many rare species of plants and animals. Canoeing through the wetland areas is a wonderful way to soak in the natural beauty, and the North Landing River Reserve makes it easy to do so, with a boardwalk trail to the Alton's Creek canoe launch and a canoe trail with an interpretive guide and map.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is Virginia Beach’s largest nature preserve, with over 9,000 acres on a thin strip of land along the strip of coastline in southern Virginia Beach. Back Bay contains a number of habitats, including beaches, dunes, woodlands, farming fields, and marshy areas. These diverse habitats protect multiple endangered and threatened animal species, including the loggerhead sea turtle and bald eagle, among others. At Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, you and your family can walk the trails, fish, boat, bicycle, canoe and kayak from their launch, or take the “Blue Good Express,” a one-hour tram ride to False Cape, guided by drivers who can identify the wide variety of plant and animal species you will encounter. At False Cape, you have two hours to hike around, picnic, and meet a ranger who explains interesting aspects of the park, and then ride the tram back.
False Cape is a 4,300 acre State Park nearly at the southernmost point of Virginia Beach, which cannot be accessed by cars; rather, you must hike, bicycle, or boat your way into False Cape. For the ultimate nature lover, visitors can camp in the park’s cabins or campgrounds overnight. Staying overnight enables you to take part in the park’s astronomy and night hiking guided activities. During the day time, however, visitors can hike and bicycle the five trails, hunt, fish, boat, and enjoy Virginia’s native animal and plant life.
If you prefer not to stay in a hotel, Virginia Beach offers a number of campgrounds, including some extremely close to the resort area. First Landing State Park offers cabins for rent in addition to their campground. Close to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center are the KOA and Holiday Trav-L-Park, located just minutes south of the resort strip.
Finally, if you want to experience the outdoors with a little assistance and less stress of finding your way around a new place, Virginia Beach has spawned a number of companies offering guided tours on both land and water, including Chesapean Outdoors, Eco Images, Kayak Nature Tours, and the Surf and Adventure company. These tours include many options for kayaking, canoeing, surfing, hiking and bicycling your way through Virginia Beach’s natural wonder.
Virginia Tourists Guide - Virginia Beach Nature
Two of the most fun outdoor activities on the ocean include whale watching during the winter and dolphin watching during the summer. A number of companies provide tours, including the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, but sign up early during the summer! These trips are popular and guarantee a fun and information filled trip out onto the Atlantic Ocean.
For those not eager to venture onto the ocean, the flat land provides ample opportunities to come into contact with animals as well. There is a vast expanse of trails in the Seashore to Cypress Birding Trail, which links various locations, such as the First Landing State Park and the False Cape State Park, among others, and provides a natural and protected environment for a variety of birds, including gulls, terns, pelicans, ibises, skimmers, and the majestic egrets and great blue herons.
The First Landing State Park is a block off of the oceanfront, covering nearly 3,000 acres of wetlands, dunes, beaches, trails, tree-covered forests, and trails for walking, running and biking. The First Landing State Park is practically an anomaly; a pristine and natural expanse of quietness in the heart of Virginia Beach’s tourist and attraction center. The park also commemorates the first 100 English settlers’ landing on April 26, 1607, and the establishment of the first elected government.
A short drive from the oceanfront, you will find another gorgeous nature preserve in the North Landing River Reserve; twice the size of First Landing State Park, these 7,300 acres of wetlands and uplands along the North Landing River stretch into the neighboring city of Chesapeake. The North Landing River Reserve contains five wetland communities rare in Virginia, and many rare species of plants and animals. Canoeing through the wetland areas is a wonderful way to soak in the natural beauty, and the North Landing River Reserve makes it easy to do so, with a boardwalk trail to the Alton's Creek canoe launch and a canoe trail with an interpretive guide and map.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is Virginia Beach’s largest nature preserve, with over 9,000 acres on a thin strip of land along the strip of coastline in southern Virginia Beach. Back Bay contains a number of habitats, including beaches, dunes, woodlands, farming fields, and marshy areas. These diverse habitats protect multiple endangered and threatened animal species, including the loggerhead sea turtle and bald eagle, among others. At Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, you and your family can walk the trails, fish, boat, bicycle, canoe and kayak from their launch, or take the “Blue Good Express,” a one-hour tram ride to False Cape, guided by drivers who can identify the wide variety of plant and animal species you will encounter. At False Cape, you have two hours to hike around, picnic, and meet a ranger who explains interesting aspects of the park, and then ride the tram back.
False Cape is a 4,300 acre State Park nearly at the southernmost point of Virginia Beach, which cannot be accessed by cars; rather, you must hike, bicycle, or boat your way into False Cape. For the ultimate nature lover, visitors can camp in the park’s cabins or campgrounds overnight. Staying overnight enables you to take part in the park’s astronomy and night hiking guided activities. During the day time, however, visitors can hike and bicycle the five trails, hunt, fish, boat, and enjoy Virginia’s native animal and plant life.
If you prefer not to stay in a hotel, Virginia Beach offers a number of campgrounds, including some extremely close to the resort area. First Landing State Park offers cabins for rent in addition to their campground. Close to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center are the KOA and Holiday Trav-L-Park, located just minutes south of the resort strip.
Finally, if you want to experience the outdoors with a little assistance and less stress of finding your way around a new place, Virginia Beach has spawned a number of companies offering guided tours on both land and water, including Chesapean Outdoors, Eco Images, Kayak Nature Tours, and the Surf and Adventure company. These tours include many options for kayaking, canoeing, surfing, hiking and bicycling your way through Virginia Beach’s natural wonder.
Virginia Tourists Guide - Virginia Beach Nature
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