82°
Sunny
0%
84
Accomack County, VA · Atlantic Ocean
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach
8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336
The Virginia half of Assateague Island, accessed through Chincoteague. Miles of wild Atlantic beach, the iconic Chincoteague ponies (different herd from the Maryland side), and the annual July pony swim. Limited amenities by design — this is wildlife refuge first.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for swimming.
80°F water · 82°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Weather
- 82°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 80°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
84 /100
great
88 Swim
76 Sunbathe
84 Walk
79 Photo
Best for swimming today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
82°F
Clear
Wind
16 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
80°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:03 PM
5.0 ft · in 46m
Wave Height
1.6 ft
11s · E swell
Barometer
29.87 inHg
1012 hPa · buoy 44009
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 2w ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ652)
The AKQ office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- MDZ025 Maryland Beaches — Ocean City Beaches and Assateague n/a
- VAZ099 Accomack-Northampton — Chincoteague, Wallops Island, n/a
- VAZ098 Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach and Sandbridge n/a
- NCZ102 Outer Banks Currituck — Currituck County Beaches n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:38 AM
Sunset
7:19 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:21 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 7:27 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 1:32 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 8:03 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:10 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:20 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 2:27 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 8:50 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:56 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 9:11 AM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 3:18 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:35 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:39 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 9:59 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 4:05 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:18 PM | High | 4.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:19 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 10:43 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 4:49 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:57 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:57 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:25 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 5:33 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:36 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:34 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 12:07 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 6:19 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8631044, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Sunny
1%
77
81°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
21%
76
81°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
32%
38
84°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
65%
22
83°
Mostly Sunny
9%
85
83°
Sunny
1%
86
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Refuge lot, $25/vehicle 7-day pass.
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted in the refuge.
Entry Fee
$25/vehicle 7-day, or America the Beautiful pass
Address
8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach today?
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach 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 Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs are not permitted in the refuge.
Is there an entry fee at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
$25/vehicle 7-day, or America the Beautiful pass
Are there lifeguards at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
Amenities at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, visitor center.
When is the water warmest at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach?
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 Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach located?
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach is in Accomack County, VA, at 8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS