79°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
17%
45
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 78°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — coastal flood statement issued july 12 at 4:03am edt until july 13 at 1:00am edt by nws wakefield va
31 /100
skip
9 Swim
67 Sunbathe
36 Walk
34 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Coastal Flooding Coastal Flood Statement
Coastal Flood Statement issued July 12 at 4:03AM EDT until July 13 at 1:00AM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...In Maryland, Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties. In Virginia, Accomack and Northampton Counties. * WHEN...From this evening through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Shallow flooding is possible in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Haze
Wind
12 to 15 mph
E
Rain
17%
Today
UV Peak
7 High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:45 PM
5.0 ft · in 4.6h
Wave Height
1.6 ft
11s · ESE swell
Water Quality
Clean
25 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 2mo 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
5:48 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Partly Sunny
2%
84
81°
Sunny
2%
86
86°
Sunny
2%
83
88°
Sunny
3%
83
87°
Sunny
13%
81
86°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
46
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 12 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°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