61°
Sunny
0%
60
Virginia Beach County, VA · Atlantic Ocean
False Cape State Park
4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
A 4,321-acre hike-in-only state park stretching 5.9 miles down the Atlantic shore to the North Carolina line, reached by foot, bike, boat, or seasonal tram through Back Bay NWR. No road access, no lifeguards, no designated swim area — one of the most remote beaches on the East Coast.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
61°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.
Weather
- 61°F air — chilly for a beach day
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 4.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
60 /100
good
43 Swim
54 Sunbathe
72 Walk
63 Fish
72 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
61°F
Clear
Wind
10 to 14 mph
NW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
28 Good
Ozone · Hampton Roads
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
62°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
63°F
Cold
Next High Tide
6:34 PM
3.2 ft · in 1m
Wave Height
4.6 ft
10s · ESE swell
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 7w ago: clean
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
5:01 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:20 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 12:51 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 6:34 PM | High | 3.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:38 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:00 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 1:31 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:14 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:14 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:36 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 2:07 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:51 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:48 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:11 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 2:41 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:28 PM | High | 3.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:23 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:47 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 3:17 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 9:06 PM | High | 2.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:59 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:26 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 3:56 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 9:47 PM | High | 2.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:38 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:06 AM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 4:40 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:30 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8638999, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
62°
Sunny
0%
63
64°
Sunny
0%
64
67°
Sunny
0%
68
66°
Sunny
0%
69
64°
Mostly Sunny
12%
65
58°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
24%
45
What to Bring Today
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 63°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.
Major
9:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Minor
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
No direct parking. Access via the Back Bay NWR lot (Sandpiper Rd) then a ~5-mile hike or bike, or by boat to the bay-side landings. Tram tours require advance reservation via Reserve America.
Dogs
Pets allowed in False Cape, but cannot transit Back Bay NWR — practically, dogs can only reach the park by boat.
Entry Fee
No state-park parking fee (no road access). Back Bay NWR entry fee applies if hiking or biking through Apr 1 – Oct 31. Primitive camping via Reserve America.
Address
4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at False Cape State Park today?
False Cape 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. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is False Cape State Park dog-friendly?
Pets allowed in False Cape, but cannot transit Back Bay NWR — practically, dogs can only reach the park by boat.
Is there an entry fee at False Cape State Park?
No state-park parking fee (no road access). Back Bay NWR entry fee applies if hiking or biking through Apr 1 – Oct 31. Primitive camping via Reserve America.
Are there lifeguards at False Cape State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at False Cape State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at False Cape State Park?
Amenities at False Cape State Park include restrooms, picnic area, camping.
When is the water warmest at False Cape State Park?
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 False Cape State Park located?
False Cape State Park is in Virginia Beach County, VA, at 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS