Things to Do in Virginia Beach in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Virginia Beach
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodations run 20-30% cheaper than summer peak, with beachfront hotels in the $120-180 range versus $200+ in July and August
- Water temperature hits a comfortable 13-16°C (55-61°F) by late April, making it actually swimmable for those first beach days without the summer crowds clogging the shoreline
- The boardwalk and outdoor restaurants reopen for the season but tourist volume stays manageable - you can actually get a table at oceanfront spots without hour-long waits
- Something In The Water festival typically lands in late April, bringing massive concerts and events that transform the entire oceanfront into one continuous party zone if that's your scene
Considerations
- Weather stays genuinely unpredictable through mid-April - you might hit 24°C (75°F) beach days or get stuck with 10°C (50°F) grey stretches where the ocean looks miserable, sometimes within the same week
- Many seasonal beach businesses and rental operations don't fully open until late April or early May, meaning limited beach chair rentals, reduced restaurant hours, and fewer water sport operators actually running
- Ocean water remains legitimately cold until the final week of April, hovering around 13°C (55°F) for most of the month - locals wear wetsuits if they surf, and most visitors just wade rather than actually swim
Best Activities in April
First Landing State Park Trail Exploration
April hits the sweet spot for hiking the 30+ km (19+ miles) of trails here before summer heat and humidity make it miserable. The maritime forest stays cool under the canopy, and you'll catch early wildflowers blooming along the Cape Henry Trail. Water temperature in the bay reaches 14-16°C (57-61°F) by late April, making kayaking through the cypress swamps actually pleasant rather than teeth-chattering. The park sees maybe a quarter of its summer visitor volume right now, so you can explore without dodging crowds.
Virginia Aquarium Extended Visits
April weather variability makes the aquarium your essential backup plan, but it's genuinely worth 3-4 hours even in good weather. The facility expanded its sea turtle rehabilitation center in 2025, and spring is when they release recovered turtles back to the ocean - sometimes you can catch these events with advance notice. Indoor climate control means those unpredictable cold or rainy April days don't wreck your plans. The Adventure Park ropes course attached to the aquarium opens for the season in mid-April, adding outdoor options when weather cooperates.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Scenic Drive and Fishing
The 28 km (17.5 mile) bridge-tunnel complex becomes accessible without summer traffic backups in April. Stop at the Sea Gull Pier restaurant and fishing pier on the fourth island - April brings the spring run of flounder, croaker, and striped bass that locals target aggressively. The drive itself offers unobstructed bay views, and on clear days you can see cargo ships queuing for Norfolk harbor. Early morning drives around 7-8am often catch fog banks rolling across the water, creating surprisingly dramatic photography conditions.
ViBe Creative District Gallery Walks and Brewery Circuit
The 8-block arts district between 17th-25th Streets comes alive in April as outdoor murals get refreshed for summer and galleries extend their hours. First Friday art walks happen year-round, but April weather makes the outdoor portions actually enjoyable rather than sweltering. The district now has 6-7 craft breweries within walking distance, most with outdoor spaces that open for the season in mid-April. This gives you the perfect rainy-day-turns-decent-afternoon activity - start indoors at galleries, move outside as weather permits.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Cycling and Birding
April migration brings 100+ bird species through this barrier island refuge, making it genuinely special timing rather than just another nature spot. The 9.5 km (6 mile) paved loop trail through marsh and dune habitat stays relatively empty compared to summer, and April temperatures in the 15-21°C (59-70°F) range make cycling comfortable. You'll spot ospreys returning to nesting platforms, plus warblers and shorebirds staging before heading further north. The refuge opens at sunrise, and early morning visits between 6:30-9am catch peak bird activity.
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Area Exploration
While the main Neptune Festival happens in September, April marks when the boardwalk businesses reopen and the iconic Neptune statue area gets spruced up after winter. The 4.8 km (3 mile) concrete boardwalk from 2nd-42nd Streets becomes walkable without summer shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Bike rental kiosks reopen in mid-April with rates around $15-25 for 2-4 hours. The southern end near Rudee Inlet has charter fishing boats that start their season now, offering half-day trips for flounder and sea bass at spring rates before summer price jumps.
April Events & Festivals
Something In The Water Festival
Pharrell Williams' music festival typically returns to the oceanfront in late April, taking over multiple blocks with hip-hop, R&B, and pop acts across several stages. The 2026 dates haven't been officially announced yet, but it historically lands the last full weekend of April. Hotels book solid within 3 km (2 miles) of the oceanfront once lineup drops, and oceanfront restaurant reservations become nearly impossible without advance planning. If you're not attending the festival, honestly consider avoiding this specific weekend - traffic and crowds quintuple normal April levels.
Earth Day Cleanup Events
Multiple beach and bay cleanup events happen around April 22nd, organized by local environmental groups and the aquarium. These aren't tourist attractions exactly, but participating gives you legitimate local interaction and beach access to less-visited areas. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation typically runs kayak-based cleanups in the salt marshes that double as guided paddles through areas you wouldn't otherwise see. Most events run 2-3 hours in morning time slots.