79°
Mostly Sunny
1%
82
Accomack County, VA · Atlantic Ocean
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach
8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336
The Virginia half of Assateague Island, accessed through Chincoteague. Miles of wild Atlantic beach, the iconic Chincoteague ponies (different herd from the Maryland side), and the annual July pony swim. Limited amenities by design — this is wildlife refuge first.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
79°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 13 mph.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
84 /100
great
84 Swim
84 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 13 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
7 High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
6:10 PM
4.3 ft · in 3.5h
Wave Height
1.6 ft
8s · SE swell
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 8w ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ652)
The AKQ office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- MDZ025 Maryland Beaches — Ocean City Beaches and Assateague n/a
- VAZ099 Accomack-Northampton — Chincoteague, Wallops Island, n/a
- VAZ098 Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach and Sandbridge n/a
- NCZ102 Outer Banks Currituck — Currituck County Beaches n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:40 AM
Sunset
8:27 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:25 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 11:28 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:10 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
50
83°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
60%
31
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
16%
82
79°
Sunny
1%
82
82°
Sunny
2%
82
86°
Sunny
9%
82
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 5 to 13 mph wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Refuge lot, $25/vehicle 7-day pass.
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted in the refuge.
Entry Fee
$25/vehicle 7-day, or America the Beautiful pass
Address
8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs are not permitted in the refuge.
Is there an entry fee at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
$25/vehicle 7-day, or America the Beautiful pass
Are there lifeguards at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
Amenities at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, visitor center.
When is the water warmest at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
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 Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach located?
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach is in Accomack County, VA, at 8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS