Northampton County, VA · Chesapeake Bay

Kiptopeke State Park

3540 Kiptopeke Dr, Cape Charles, VA 23310

562-acre Virginia Eastern Shore state park facing west across the lower Chesapeake. Famous for the "concrete ships" — nine WWII-era concrete vessels sunk as a breakwater. Incredible sunsets, fishing pier, hawk migration watch, and sandy swim beach.

Also a fishing day? Live conditions and regulations for target species at Kiptopeke State Park on itsafishingday.com →

Today's Conditions

Skip the beach today.

Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 80°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southwest wind 15 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Weather

89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
25% rain — pop-up showers possible

Water

80°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids

Safety

Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
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

21 /100

skip

0 Swim

53 Sunbathe

27 Walk

4 Fish

30 Photo

Best for sunbathing 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

NWS · In effect through Jul 19, 11:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and waves 2 to 4 ft expected. * WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA and Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. * 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

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

89°F

Mostly Cloudy

Wind

14 mph

Rain

25%

This Afternoon

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

86°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Water

Water Temp

80°F

Swimming weather

Sea Nettles

No nettles expected

3% probability · York Spit buoy

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

5:57 AM

Sunset

8:22 PM

Moon · 18%

Waxing Crescent

Neap tides — smaller range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
12:37 AM	High	2.8 ft
6:58 AM	Low	-0.0 ft
1:13 PM	High	2.8 ft
7:27 PM	Low	0.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
1:26 AM	High	2.6 ft
7:45 AM	Low	0.1 ft
2:03 PM	High	2.7 ft
8:25 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:13 AM	High	2.3 ft
8:32 AM	Low	0.2 ft
2:53 PM	High	2.7 ft
9:24 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:01 AM	High	2.2 ft
9:19 AM	Low	0.3 ft
3:44 PM	High	2.6 ft
10:22 PM	Low	0.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:53 AM	High	2.0 ft
10:07 AM	Low	0.4 ft
4:40 PM	High	2.6 ft
11:21 PM	Low	0.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:53 AM	High	1.9 ft
10:59 AM	Low	0.5 ft
5:39 PM	High	2.5 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:15 AM	Low	0.6 ft
5:57 AM	High	1.9 ft
11:52 AM	Low	0.5 ft
6:33 PM	High	2.5 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8638610, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 18

89°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

25%

Sun Jul 19

86°

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

57%

Mon Jul 20

82°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

38%

Tue Jul 21

88°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

56%

Wed Jul 22

85°

Showers And Thunderstorms

82%

Thu Jul 23

80°

Chance Rain Showers

39%

Fri Jul 24

80°

Slight Chance Rain Showers

22%

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 14 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°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

Park lot.

Dogs

Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.

Entry Fee

$7/vehicle weekday, $10 weekend/holiday (standard VA parking; HOV and fishing-pier fees differ)

Address

3540 Kiptopeke Dr, Cape Charles, VA 23310

Amenities

lifeguardsbathhousecampingfishing pierhawk watchboat ramp

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Kiptopeke State Park today?

Kiptopeke 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. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Kiptopeke State Park dog-friendly?

Dogs permitted on leash in designated areas.

Is there an entry fee at Kiptopeke State Park?

$7/vehicle weekday, $10 weekend/holiday (standard VA parking; HOV and fishing-pier fees differ)

Are there lifeguards at Kiptopeke State Park?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Kiptopeke State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Kiptopeke State Park?

Amenities at Kiptopeke State Park include lifeguards, bathhouse, camping, fishing pier, hawk watch, boat ramp.

When is the water warmest at Kiptopeke State Park?

The Chesapeake warms quickly — water temperatures peak in late July and August, typically 78-82°F. Swimming comfortable from mid-June through September.

Where is Kiptopeke State Park located?

Kiptopeke State Park is in Northampton County, VA, at 3540 Kiptopeke Dr, Cape Charles, VA 23310.