80°
Showers And Thunderstorms
75%
14
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
Skip the beach today.
75% rain · Thunderstorms · NWS alert active
Full NWS forecast for Today
Showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 80. East wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. East wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 80°F air — ideal beach weather
- 75% rain — wet day — beach day is off
Water
- 80°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued july 12 at 6:58am edt until july 13 at 7:00pm edt by nws wakefield va
8 /100
skip
0 Swim
25 Sunbathe
0 Walk
0 Fish
21 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 12 at 6:58AM EDT until July 13 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...East winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and waves 2 to 4 ft expected. * WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek VA and Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM EDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
80°F
Light Drizzle
Wind
8 to 16 mph
E
Rain
75%
Today
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 02 PM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 12 PM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
80°F
Chance Rain Showers
Water
Water Temp
80°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:10 PM
3.1 ft · in 5.0h
Sea Nettles
No nettles expected
5% probability · York Spit buoy
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:53 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
80°
Chance Rain Showers
45%
51
81°
Mostly Sunny
11%
82
87°
Sunny
3%
83
88°
Sunny
3%
81
88°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15%
47
88°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
44
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 8 to 16 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 75% chance of rain
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
9:50 PM - 11:50 PM
Minor
3:10 AM - 4:10 AM
Major
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Kiptopeke State Park today?
Kiptopeke 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. 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 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