73°
Sunny
0%
77
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.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 73. East wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind around 7 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
72 /100
great
58 Swim
85 Sunbathe
88 Walk
73 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 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
73°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
7 mph
E
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
Sea Nettles
No nettles expected
13% probability · York Spit buoy
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:44 AM
Sunset
8:19 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:55 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 11:56 AM | High | 2.2 ft |
| 5:44 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
72°
Sunny
1%
75
79°
Sunny
0%
75
83°
Mostly Sunny
1%
75
86°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
37
72°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
31%
28
72°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
19%
62
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).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
2:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Minor
7:40 AM - 8:40 AM
Major
2:50 PM - 4:50 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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Kiptopeke State Park.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Kiptopeke State Park from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS