90°
Mostly Sunny
12%
74
Virginia Beach County, VA · Atlantic Ocean
False Cape State Park
4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
A 4,321-acre hike-in-only state park stretching 5.9 miles down the Atlantic shore to the North Carolina line, reached by foot, bike, boat, or seasonal tram through Back Bay NWR. No road access, no lifeguards, no designated swim area — one of the most remote beaches on the East Coast.
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 around 16 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
57 /100
good
43 Swim
64 Sunbathe
77 Walk
46 Fish
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
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and waves 1 to 2 ft expected. * WHERE...Currituck Sound. * WHEN...Until 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
Atmosphere
Air Temp
90°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
12%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
89°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
10 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
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
89°
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
68%
14
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
55%
27
90°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
57%
17
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
81%
4
80°
Rain Showers Likely
55%
54
81°
Chance Rain Showers
33%
68
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).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Major
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Major
3:50 PM - 5:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
No direct parking. Access via the Back Bay NWR lot (Sandpiper Rd) then a ~5-mile hike or bike, or by boat to the bay-side landings. Tram tours require advance reservation via Reserve America.
Dogs
Pets allowed in False Cape, but cannot transit Back Bay NWR — practically, dogs can only reach the park by boat.
Entry Fee
No state-park parking fee (no road access). Back Bay NWR entry fee applies if hiking or biking through Apr 1 – Oct 31. Primitive camping via Reserve America.
Address
4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at False Cape State Park today?
False Cape State Park 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 False Cape State Park dog-friendly?
Pets allowed in False Cape, but cannot transit Back Bay NWR — practically, dogs can only reach the park by boat.
Is there an entry fee at False Cape State Park?
No state-park parking fee (no road access). Back Bay NWR entry fee applies if hiking or biking through Apr 1 – Oct 31. Primitive camping via Reserve America.
Are there lifeguards at False Cape State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at False Cape State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at False Cape State Park?
Amenities at False Cape State Park include restrooms, picnic area, camping.
When is the water warmest at False Cape State Park?
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 False Cape State Park located?
False Cape State Park is in Virginia Beach County, VA, at 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS