Croatan Beach
Croatan Beach is a beach in Croatan, Virginia Beach, best for surfing, escaping resort crowds, experienced swimmers.
Across Rudee Inlet from the Resort Strip, Croatan is Virginia Beach's surf beach: the Croatan Jetty is one of the city's two classic breaks, a left-hander locals prize for its unpredictability against 1st Street Jetty's more consistent right. The neighborhood behind it is quiet and residential, and limited public parking keeps the sand noticeably less crowded than the Boardwalk blocks a few hundred yards north. Summer dog hours are the friendlier non-resort rules. Camp Pendleton borders the beach to the south, so the shoreline dead-ends rather than running on for miles.
- Free
- Dog Friendly
- Surfing
- Quiet & Peaceful
- Restrooms Available
Amenities
- Croatan Jetty surf break
- Public beach access lot with seasonal restrooms
Know Before You Go
- Best for: surfing, escaping resort crowds, experienced swimmers
- Parking: A public beach lot off Vanderbilt Avenue serves the beach; it is small and fills early on summer weekends. Street parking in the neighborhood is limited and enforced.
- Accessibility: Access is via sand paths from the public lot; no boardwalk. Limited accessibility infrastructure compared with the Resort Beach.
- Dogs: allowed — Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, dogs are allowed on the sand south of Rudee Loop only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., leashed or under voice control. Off-season, dogs are welcome anytime and may be off leash on the beach.
- Location: Atlantic Ocean beach south of Rudee Inlet, off Croatan Road / Vanderbilt Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-10.
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While You're in the Area
Atlantic Paradise — Croatan Oceanfront
A 4-bedroom, owner-direct oceanfront vacation home with a private pool on Croatan Beach, self-managed since 2002.
- Waterfront
- Family Friendly
Seth Broudy School of Surf
Surf camps and private lessons at the south end of Croatan Beach — gear included, Monday-Thursday camp schedule.
- Surfing
- Family Friendly
17th Street Surf Shop
Virginia Beach's original surf shop since 1970 — a Pacific Avenue retail store plus Seth Broudy School of Surf camp sessions from 1 to 4 days.
- Surfing
Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant
Beatles-themed pub a block off the beach at 22nd Street — 42 taps, live music, a dog-friendly patio, and a Monday military discount.
- Dog Friendly
- Live Music
- Outdoor Seating
- Military Discount
Adventure Parasail & Rudee Inlet Jet Ski
Virginia Beach's original watersports operator since 1985 — parasailing, jet ski and kayak/SUP rentals, and banana boat rides at Rudee Inlet.
- Fishing
Afishinado Fishing Charters
Capt. Kevin Perry's 31-foot Ocean Master out of Inlet Station Marina — inshore speckled trout and cobia trips, offshore game-fish runs, and seasonal dolphin/whale watching.
- Family Friendly
- Fishing
Upcoming Events Nearby
Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships
August 23, 2026 – August 30, 2026 · annual
The world's oldest continuously running surfing competition returns for its 64th year, turning the south end of the Oceanfront — from the 1st Street Jetty up to 10th Street — into a week-long surf carnival. More than 850 competitors surf pro and amateur divisions, including a WSL qualifying event, while the beach fills out with skate and BMX demos, live music, and tournament games. It's the anchor event of late summer at the beach and the best week of the year to watch serious surfing at the 1st Street break.
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
August 28, 2026 – August 29, 2026 · annual
A free two-day beach party on the Oceanfront closing out August with funk, R&B, and soul acts on the sand. Part of the official Beach Events season, Funk Fest draws a big, dance-heavy crowd to the resort beach for one of the last major music weekends before Labor Day — no ticket needed, just claim a patch of sand.
American Music Festival
September 4, 2026 – September 6, 2026 · annual
Beach Events' Labor Day weekend concert series bills itself as the largest outdoor music festival on the East Coast, spreading national, regional, and local acts across a 60-foot stage at 5th Street plus free park stages at 17th, 24th, and 31st Streets along the boardwalk. Past headliners have included Sheryl Crow, the Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, and Zac Brown Band, with tickets sold per show, as a three-day Passport Pin, or as VIP packages, while the park stages stay free. It's the Oceanfront's last big blowout of the summer season, timed to send visitors off before the crowds thin out after Labor Day.