Things to Do in Virginia Beach in December

Paddle across the calm, sheltered waters of the Chesapeake Bay as the winter sun drops toward the horizon, painting the sky in bands of orange and lavender. Guides point out the dorsal fins of bottlenose dolphins that remain year-round, their breaths creating small puffs of mist in the cool air. You will feel the steady resistance of the water with each stroke and hear the gentle splash of your paddle.

Walk the historic streets and shadowy alleyways of the old Virginia Beach resort area, where guides share documented tales of spectral sailors and Gilded Age mysteries. You will hear stories echoed off the brick facades of century-old buildings and feel the chill of the night air near the old Coast Guard station.

Glide silently in a kayak through the still waters of the Back Bay, your small group allowing close observation of diving ducks, great blue herons, and perhaps a curious dolphin. You will smell the clean, mineral scent of marsh mud and feel the gentle rock of the kayak as your guide explains the delicate balance of this estuarine environment.

A professional photographer leads you to photogenic spots along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, from the well-known King Neptune statue to a secluded stretch of dunes, capturing candid moments against the dramatic winter seascape. You will feel the grainy sand underfoot and the wind tugging at your hair, with the steel-gray ocean as your backdrop.