72°
Sunny
0%
84
Virginia Beach County, VA · Atlantic Ocean
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
A 9,250-acre USFWS refuge south of Sandbridge with roughly 3 miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach backed by dunes, marsh, and maritime forest. Managed for migratory waterfowl — the northernmost mile is closed to recreation year-round. No lifeguards, no swimming amenities; a walk-on wildlife refuge, not a resort beach.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
72°F air · 68°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind around 6 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 68°F water — swimmable, refreshing
84 /100
great
83 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
6 mph
E
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
73°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
68°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
10:52 PM
3.3 ft · in 1.5h
Wave Height
3.0 ft
8s · E swell
Water Quality
Clean
41 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 4w ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:46 AM
Sunset
8:17 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:44 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:42 AM | High | 2.5 ft |
| 4:29 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:52 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
73°
Sunny
1%
82
86°
Sunny
0%
82
89°
Mostly Sunny
4%
74
89°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
35
72°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
35
71°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
54
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Refuge parking lot at the visitor contact station off Sandpiper Rd; free with paid entry. Small lot; fills on spring/fall weekends and peak migration days.
Dogs
Pets prohibited year-round (since April 1, 2011). Service animals excepted.
Entry Fee
$5/vehicle Apr 1 – Oct 31; free Nov 1 – Mar 31. Federal interagency passes (America the Beautiful) accepted.
Address
4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge dog-friendly?
Pets prohibited year-round (since April 1, 2011). Service animals excepted.
Is there an entry fee at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge?
$5/vehicle Apr 1 – Oct 31; free Nov 1 – Mar 31. Federal interagency passes (America the Beautiful) accepted.
Are there lifeguards at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge?
No lifeguards are stationed at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge?
Amenities at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge include restrooms, picnic area.
When is the water warmest at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge located?
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in Virginia Beach County, VA, at 4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS