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

Great day for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 81°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind around 15 mph.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southwest wind 15 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Weather

90°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
Sunny skies — mostly sunny

Water

81°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
NWS alert active — severe thunderstorm watch issued july 18 at 2:14pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws wakefield va

68 /100

good

42 Swim

64 Sunbathe

77 Walk

76 Photo

Best for walking today

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 12:44PM EDT until July 19 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 11:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 ft expected. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Parramore Island to Cape Charles Light VA out 20 NM, Coastal Waters from Cape Charles Light to Virginia-North Carolina border out 20 NM and Coastal waters from NC VA border to Currituck Beach Light NC out 20 NM. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

Weather alert in effect

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA

Get Directions View on Google Maps Open in Apple Maps

Atmosphere

Air Temp

90°F

Partly Cloudy

Wind

15 mph

Rain

13%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

88°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Water

Water Temp

81°F

Swimming weather

Wave Height

2.3 ft

13s · ESE swell

Water Quality

Clean

25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform

USGS · sampled 7w ago

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:58 AM

Sunset

8:20 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
5:52 AM	Low	-0.2 ft
12:02 PM	High	3.4 ft
6:16 PM	Low	0.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:11 AM	High	3.3 ft
6:39 AM	Low	-0.1 ft
12:52 PM	High	3.4 ft
7:14 PM	Low	0.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:56 AM	High	3.0 ft
7:23 AM	Low	0.1 ft
1:42 PM	High	3.4 ft
8:14 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:44 AM	High	2.7 ft
8:08 AM	Low	0.3 ft
2:37 PM	High	3.3 ft
9:18 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:40 AM	High	2.4 ft
8:56 AM	Low	0.4 ft
3:37 PM	High	3.2 ft
10:18 PM	Low	0.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:47 AM	High	2.3 ft
9:47 AM	Low	0.5 ft
4:32 PM	High	3.2 ft
11:12 PM	Low	0.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:48 AM	High	2.3 ft
10:37 AM	Low	0.6 ft
5:21 PM	High	3.2 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8638999, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

90°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Sun Jul 19

88°

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

67%

Mon Jul 20

84°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

53%

Tue Jul 21

89°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

59%

Wed Jul 22

86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

82%

Thu Jul 23

79°

Chance Rain Showers

52%

Fri Jul 24

80°

Chance Rain Showers

32%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 81°F
critical Extra water / electrolytes 90°F - heat risk
recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat

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

restroomspicnic area

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge today?

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

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.