75°
Sunny
1%
82
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 · 75°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 75. East wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 60. South wind 2 to 7 mph.
Weather
- 75°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
- High nettle risk — 2224% probability — reconsider swimming
63 /100
good
42 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
75°F
Clear
Wind
8 mph
E
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Next Low Tide
10:22 PM
0.3 ft · in 1.0h
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
2224% probability · Gooses Reef buoy
Water Quality
Clean
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8w ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:45 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:06 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 10:38 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 4:26 PM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 10:22 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Sunny
0%
84
82°
Sunny
0%
82
84°
Mostly Sunny
3%
82
81°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
46%
33
71°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
20%
64
72°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
77
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
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