Things to Do in Virginia Beach in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Virginia Beach
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
140°F (60°C)
High Temp
106°F (41°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Extreme heat, plan outdoor activities for early morning
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from summer peaks - oceanfront rooms that require 3-month advance booking in July suddenly become available with 2-week notice
- + The 3 km (1.9 mile) boardwalk belongs to locals again - you can hear the Atlantic waves instead of competing with boom boxes and bachelorette parties
- + March weather creates perfect conditions for surfing lessons at 1st Street Jetty - water temperatures hover around 13°C (55°F) but air warms to 18°C (64°F), meaning you're not fighting summer crowds for waves
- + Local restaurants run their best promotions of the year - places like Doc Taylor's (operating since 1983 in a former beach cottage) offer off-season menus that locals prefer to summer fare
Considerations
- − Ocean water hits 13°C (55°F) - cold enough that your legs go numb after 10 minutes, though hardcore surfers wear 4/3 wetsuits and swear it's refreshing
- − Many beach rental shops close until April - finding a bike or beach chair requires walking to the few remaining open spots near 17th Street
- − March delivers Virginia's version of weather whiplash - Tuesday might hit 22°C (72°F) while Thursday drops to 8°C (46°F) with 50 km/h (31 mph) coastal winds
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Virginia Beach in March is shaking off winter. The sky shifts from steel gray to watery blue within an hour. You will feel a cool, damp edge off the Atlantic. Gulls cry over a surf that still holds a winter's chill. This month, the often-quiet wooden boardwalk becomes the stage for the Shamrock Marathon Weekend. It transforms the oceanfront with thousands of runners in green. The sound of bagpipes cuts through the salty breeze. Later in March, the focus turns to warm dining rooms during Virginia Beach Restaurant Week. The scent of locally sourced rockfish and steamed oysters fills spaces normally reserved for summer visitors. Locals reclaim their shoreline before the crowds arrive. They walk dogs on sand where your footprints are still the only ones. The attractions here reflect this transitional energy. They offer ways to examine the natural world and local lore without summer queues. You can see quiet wetlands coming to life. You can hear historic stories in the resort district. March provides a distinct pace. The weather can be variable. Days feel like early spring. Evenings demand a jacket. This unpredictability makes the experiences feel earned. What follows are specific ways to spend time in Virginia Beach during this month.
Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours
adventureGlide across the sheltered waters of the Chesapeake Bay at sunset. The sky paints itself in bands of orange and violet. The only sounds are the dip of your paddle and the explosive breath of a bottlenose dolphin.
You will see their dark backs arc through the water mere yards away. This tour has a chance to witness wild dolphins during a serene March evening.
Insider tip: Dress in layers you do not mind getting damp. The temperature on the water drops quickly after sunset.
Wetland Zip Tour
guided_experienceSoar above a quiet wetland on a series of cables. Feel a rush of cool air as you zip between platforms in the bare trees.
Below, you might see the first green shoots in the water. You might hear the distinct *kraak* of a great blue heron. The leafless March canopy provides clear views over the estuarine ecosystem.
Insider tip: Wear snug-fitting gloves. The early spring air at height makes the trolley gear cold.
Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours
walking_tourWalk the historic Atlantic Avenue district after dark. Vintage neon signs glow on wet brick. The scent of old salt and damp wood lingers in the alleyways.
Your guide shares tales of spectral sailors and hotel hauntings. Their voice sometimes competes with the distant crash of waves. This tour reveals the lingering stories woven into Virginia Beach's past.
Insider tip: The stories resonate more on nights when a fog rolls in. It muffles the modern sounds.
Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour
adventurePaddle a stable kayak into calm, protected coves. Dolphins often hunt in smaller pods during the cooler months. You will feel the resistance of the cooler water with each stroke.
A guide explains the behaviors of these marine mammals. The smaller group size allows for an intimate encounter with the resident dolphin population.
Insider tip: Morning tours typically have calmer winds and clearer water. This improves your spotting chances.
Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium
adventureNavigate a network of rope bridges and ziplines in pine groves. These are adjacent to the Virginia Aquarium. You will hear the creak of ropes and the crunch of pine needles.
You will smell the clean scent of the trees. It is a physically engaging challenge. This is a way to experience the coastal forest from a new perspective.
Insider tip: Choose a course that matches your comfort level. Green routes offer a gentle introduction. Black diamonds provide a serious test.
Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer in Virginia Beach
otherCapture the moody light of the Virginia Beach shoreline in March. A professional photographer knows the angles where dunes meet sea oats. They know how the low sun glints off pier pilings.
You will feel the cool sand underfoot. The wind will tug at your clothes. The result is authentic images of the season. It secures personalized photographs against the dramatic spring backdrop.
Insider tip: Schedule your session for the hour before sunset. This is the golden hour. The light is most flattering.
Where to Stay in Virginia Beach in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid March
Shamrock Marathon Weekend
The weekend transforms the oceanfront into a sea of green - 25,000 runners pound the boardwalk while bagpipe bands compete with ocean waves for dominance. The Saturday 8K starts at 7:30 AM when the boardwalk's wooden planks are still slick with morning dew, creating that distinctive ocean-salt-and-cedar smell that locals associate with the event's 52-year history.
Late March
Virginia Beach Restaurant Week
The 10-day event lets you experience oceanfront dining rooms that normally require summer reservations - places like Waterman's Surfside Grille (serving since 1981) offer three-course menus that show local rockfish and Chesapeake oysters at their March peak freshness.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Virginia Beach Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The locals' breakfast spot is Mary Rossi Old Beach Diner at 6 AM - order the scrapple (regional pork specialty) and listen to fishing captains plan their day in accents that blend Tidewater Virginia with Outer Banks Carolina
March's variable weather creates 'sneaky perfect' beach days - when forecasts predict 60% rain but it holds off, you get 20°C (68°F) temperatures with empty beaches that summer visitors never experience
The municipal parking garages offer weekly passes that cost less than two days of oceanfront meter feeding - buy them at the 19th Street garage where attendants know the weekly rate exists
Locals surf at 1st Street Jetty in March because the Army Corps of Engineers' winter dredging creates sandbars that produce the year's most consistent breaks - it lasts until summer crowds arrive
Avoid These Mistakes
Beach shops shut. October to April, most lock up. You'll hunt sunscreen in vain. Towels vanish too. Plan ahead.
Oceanfront rooms promise views. March storms smash that dream. Waves slam the sea wall. 3 AM crashes wake you. Bring earplugs.
Shorts and tees feel fine at noon. Sun bakes, skin browns. After sunset, mercury dives 10°C (18°F). Teeth chatter. Pack layers.
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