72°
Sunny
0%
77
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.
72°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind 1 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
76 /100
great
66 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°F
Clear
Wind
7 mph
SE
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
72°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next High Tide
11:38 PM
4.2 ft · in 2.3h
Wave Height
3.0 ft
8s · E swell
Water Quality
Clean
41 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 5w 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
8:19 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:10 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:10 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 4:54 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:38 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
72°
Sunny
1%
75
82°
Sunny
0%
75
83°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
83°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
33%
37
68°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
28%
20
69°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
21%
57
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
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