Summer is here once again, which means that Virginia Beach will be welcoming huge numbers of tourists from around the world to visit our golden sands, take a cool dip in the water and try out a bit of surfing.
There are a few steps and safety precautions that tourists should take before visiting, though. Before coming to Virginia, non-US citizens should make sure that they have the correct visa or ESTA certification before travelling – because nothing ruins a holiday more than being turned away at the border!
Once you’ve applied and sought legal assistance with obtaining a US tourist visa though, you can relax knowing that you can enjoy the world-class Virginia Beach in comfort and style. And if you’re planning on surfing here, here are our top 3 pieces of advice for tourists to visit, stay safe and have fun.
1. Stay Safe and Remember to Check the Surf Forecast
Nothing is more important than staying safe while surfing, and the last thing you want is to injure yourself during your relaxing beach getaway.
For this reason, we recommend Virginia Beach visitors to always check the surf forecast before thinking about going to ride the waves. Although the weather here is beautiful all year round, unfavourable conditions in the wind, swell and tide could mean that it’s dangerous for inexperienced surfers to go into the water.
We also recommend checking official guidelines on where to surf, and when. Different beaches along the coastline have different guidelines on what locations and what times you can hit the water, which is vital to know before planning a trip. In particular, make sure to aim for a designated lifeguard-patrolled swim area if you’re not a confident surfer or you’re planning to surf without a certified instructor.
Finally, always make sure you have the proper safety equipment! These include:
- A proper wetsuit
- A rash vest in case of stray jellyfish stings
- Sunscreen to protect yourself from bright UV sunlight
- A leash for your surfboard
- Changing robes and towels
- A surf helmet, if you’re inexperienced
- An impact vest and knee guards
- Clean water and food to keep you energised and hydrated
If in doubt, reach out to one of our local surfing clubs or vendors for more information.
2. Pace Yourself and Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
What a lot of people don’t realise about surfing is how demanding it can be physically and mentally. Surfing is a highly physical sport, and you’ll be using your whole body when paddling, balancing and swimming against the tide.
That kind of physical exertion can creep up on you, and you might find yourself more sore and exhausted than you’d anticipated when waking up the morning after.
If you’re just starting out with surfing, don’t get ahead of yourself thinking you’re going to be mastering huge waves within a few hours. That kind of stuff takes a lot of practice, perseverance and experience! You’ll need to anticipate wiping out a lot and trying more than a few times before you’ll get the hang of the technique and instinct that comes with being able to surf like a pro.
Most importantly, remember to take frequent breaks and spread out your practice over a few days or weeks to make sure you don’t put your body through too much stress. If you can, seek out a proper surfing instructor or surfing school located in Virginia Beach to really give you a proper crash course on learning the fundamentals.
3. Don’t Forget that Your Surfing Trip Can Be About More than Surfing
Virginia Beach typically welcomes well over 14 million tourists from all over the globe every year, and surfing is just one of the activities that visitors love about visiting Virginia Beach.
Remember that after spending all day in the surf, you’ll need some time to relax, recover and regain your energy before you’ll be ready to do it all again the next day.
In the meantime, remember that Virginia Beach also offers other activities that will be perfectly suited for your downtime, including paddle boarding, fishing, whale watching, shopping and culture.
This is especially true in the summertime, when Virginia Beach really comes alive with activity, with everyone out and about to enjoy the warm, long days along the waterfront.
You might even go home after your holiday’s finished wishing you’d spent more time exploring what the place has to offer when you find out just how much there is to do!
Enjoy the Virginia Beach Surf Season 2026
Virginia Beach truly is one of the best places in America to enjoy Atlantic Ocean surfing, plus a whole lot more otherwise.
Millions come to visit here every year and are enthralled by the variety of activities, experiences and attractions that are on offer, including our world-famous water sports.
If you’re planning on visiting Virginia Beach in 2026, particularly for surfing, remember to stay safe, have fun and always follow the local surfing safety and etiquette guides to make sure that you and other visitors can get the most out of your visit.
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