86°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
Westmoreland County, VA · Potomac River
Colonial Beach
Virginia town on the Potomac with two miles of sandy beach — the state's second-longest public beach after Virginia Beach. Small-town vibe, classic Virginia waterfront, boardwalk, and family-friendly shore swimming (no ocean surf).
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
High nettle risk · NWS alert active · 76°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 4827% probability — reconsider swimming
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued june 25 at 6:25am edt until june 26 at 3:00am edt by nws baltimore md/washington dc
53 /100
ok
22 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.9 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued June 25 at 6:25AM EDT until June 26 at 3:00AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...South winds around 10 kt with gusts up to 20 kt expected. * WHERE...Tidal Potomac River from Key Bridge to Cobb Island MD. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 3 AM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
86°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
6 to 10 mph
S
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
76°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
5:12 PM
0.3 ft · in 2.5h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
4827% probability · Gooses Reef buoy
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 2mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:45 AM
Sunset
8:35 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:16 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:01 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 5:12 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 11:39 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
91°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
38
85°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
68%
35
84°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
48
84°
Mostly Sunny
5%
85
89°
Sunny
3%
76
92°
Sunny
8%
76
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Metered street parking.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on beach and boardwalk April 1 – September 30. Leashed dogs allowed Oct 1 – March 31.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Colonial Beach, VA 22443
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Colonial Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Colonial Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Colonial Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on beach and boardwalk April 1 – September 30. Leashed dogs allowed Oct 1 – March 31.
Is there an entry fee at Colonial Beach?
Entry to Colonial Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Colonial Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Colonial Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Colonial Beach?
Amenities at Colonial Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, restrooms, restaurants, golf cart rentals.
When is the water warmest at Colonial Beach?
The tidal Potomac peaks in late July and August at 78-82°F. Swimmable from mid-June into September.
Where is Colonial Beach located?
Colonial Beach is in Westmoreland County, VA, at Colonial Beach, VA 22443.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS