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Virginia Beach - Things to Do in Virginia Beach in May

Things to Do in Virginia Beach in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Virginia Beach

77°C (171°F) High Temp
59°C (138°F) Low Temp
2.5 mm (0.1 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

  • Shoulder season pricing means hotel rates drop 20-30% compared to summer peak, with oceanfront properties typically running $150-220 per night instead of $250-350. Book by early April for best selection before Memorial Day weekend bookings start.
  • Ocean water temperatures hit 18-20°C (64-68°F) by mid-May, warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit but still refreshing. The Chesapeake Bay side warms up even faster, reaching 21°C (70°F) by late month, making it perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking.
  • The 3-mile boardwalk is genuinely pleasant before summer crowds arrive. You can actually bike the entire length in 20 minutes without dodging strollers every 3 meters (10 feet), and sunrise walks at 6am feel like you have the beach to yourself.
  • May brings the Patriotic Festival over Memorial Day weekend (typically May 23-26, 2026), with military air shows, beach concerts, and the East Coast's largest fireworks display. Hotels fill up for this specific weekend, but the week before offers perfect weather without the chaos.

Considerations

  • Water temperature is still borderline chilly early in the month. If you are coming from warmer climates expecting bathwater conditions, the 18°C (64°F) ocean in early May will feel legitimately cold for extended swimming. Locals wait until June, honestly.
  • May weather in Virginia Beach is genuinely unpredictable. You might get 27°C (80°F) and sunny for three days, then 16°C (60°F) with wind and drizzle the next. Pack layers because that variable conditions designation is not marketing speak, it actually means you will experience multiple seasons in one week.
  • Most beach rental operations and some seasonal restaurants do not fully open until Memorial Day weekend. If you are visiting May 1-20, expect about 60% of boardwalk businesses to have limited hours or be closed entirely. The resort area is open, but the quieter north end feels half-asleep.

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Best Activities in May

First Landing State Park Trail Exploration

May is legitimately the best month for the 32 km (20 miles) of trails at First Landing State Park before summer heat and humidity make hiking miserable. The maritime forest stays cool under the canopy, and the bald cypress swamps are at their most vibrant green. The Bald Cypress Trail (2.4 km / 1.5 miles) takes about 45 minutes and offers that rare combination of beach and forest ecosystems. Trails are rarely crowded on weekdays, and the park rents bikes if you want to cover more ground.

Booking Tip: Park entry is $7 per vehicle on weekends, $5 weekdays. Bike rentals through the park concessionaire typically run $25-35 for 4 hours. No advance booking needed for trails, but if you want a guided naturalist walk (offered Saturday mornings in May), check the Virginia State Parks website a week ahead. The Cape Henry Trail connects to the beach if you want to end with a swim.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding the Back Bay

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is 20 minutes south of the resort area and offers 3,600 hectares (9,000 acres) of protected marshland that is genuinely stunning in May. Water temperatures in the bay reach 20°C (68°F) by mid-month, warm enough for comfortable paddling without a wetsuit. You will see migratory birds still passing through, plus resident ospreys nesting. The calm bay waters are perfect for beginners, and you can paddle for hours without seeing another person if you launch early.

Booking Tip: Kayak and paddleboard rentals typically cost $45-65 for a half day through various outfitters along General Booth Boulevard. Book 3-5 days ahead for weekend rentals in May. Guided eco-tours run $75-95 per person for 2-3 hours and are worth it if you want to actually understand what you are looking at instead of just paddling around. Launch before 10am to avoid afternoon wind that picks up around 2pm.

Virginia Aquarium Marine Science Experience

The Virginia Aquarium is your backup plan for those inevitable rainy or chilly May days, but it is actually worth visiting regardless. The facility houses over 800,000 liters (200,000 gallons) of aquariums featuring local Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay species. May is ideal because summer field trip groups have not descended yet, so you can actually spend time at the touch tanks without fighting through crowds. Plan 2-3 hours minimum. The outdoor aviary and nature trail are bonus additions if weather cooperates.

Booking Tip: Tickets run $28-32 for adults, $20-24 for kids. Buy online at least a day ahead for a $2-3 discount and to skip the ticket line. The aquarium also runs seasonal boat tours to see dolphins and whales (May is migration season), which cost $28-35 per person for 90 minutes. These book up fast on weekends, reserve 7-10 days ahead. Morning tours at 10am tend to have calmer water and better wildlife sightings.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Fishing and Sightseeing

The 37 km (23 mile) Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an engineering marvel that happens to be one of the East Coast's best fishing spots in May. You do not need to fish to appreciate it though. The drive itself costs $14 toll but offers incredible views, and you can stop at the Sea Gull Pier restaurant and fishing area at the midpoint. May brings flounder, striped bass, and bluefish runs, and the pier stays relatively uncrowded compared to summer. Even if you just want photos and fresh seafood, it is worth the trip.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for the drive or pier access. Fishing from the pier costs an additional $10 per person. Rod rentals run $15-20 if you want to try your luck. Bait is $8-12. Go during weekday mornings for the most peaceful experience. If you are not fishing, budget 90 minutes for the round trip drive plus 30-45 minutes at the pier. Pack your own snacks because the restaurant prices are tourist-level inflated.

Sandbridge Beach Uncrowded Alternative

Sandbridge is 24 km (15 miles) south of the main resort area and feels like a completely different destination. It is residential beach community with 8 km (5 miles) of uncrowded shoreline, no boardwalk, no arcades, just actual beach. May is perfect because vacation rentals have not filled up yet, and you can park easily along Sandpiper Road for free. The water is the same temperature as the resort beach, but you will have 10 meters (30 feet) of personal space instead of 2 meters (6 feet).

Booking Tip: Parking is free along the public access roads. Bring your own food and drinks because Sandbridge has limited dining options and they are pricey. If you want to rent bikes to explore the neighborhood, a few shops along Sandbridge Road rent beach cruisers for $20-30 per day. No advance booking needed in May, just show up before 11am for best parking. The north end near Little Island Park tends to be even quieter than the main Sandbridge area.

Historic Cape Henry Lighthouse and Fort Story Access

Cape Henry Lighthouse sits on an active military base (Fort Story) at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, marking the spot where English colonists first landed in 1607. May offers comfortable climbing weather for the 191 steps to the top of the 1792 lighthouse. The views span both the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Fort Story beach is also accessible and tends to be much less crowded than the resort area. The newer 1881 lighthouse stands next to the original, and the contrast is striking.

Booking Tip: Access requires passing through the Fort Story military gate with photo ID for everyone in the vehicle. Lighthouse admission runs $8-10 per adult. Open daily 10am-5pm in May. No advance tickets needed, but arrive before 4pm if you want to climb. The adjacent First Landing Cross and memorial area is free. Budget 90 minutes total for lighthouse visit and beach walk. Active military with ID get discounted or free admission depending on current policies.

May Events & Festivals

May 23-26

American Music Festival Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff

While the main American Music Festival happens in September, Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26, 2026) brings the Patriotic Festival with free concerts along the boardwalk, military demonstrations, and the Parade of Nations. The Navy parachute team typically jumps onto the beach, and you will see F-18 flyovers from nearby Oceana Naval Air Station. It is genuinely impressive if you like military displays, overwhelming if you prefer quiet beaches.

Mid May

Boardwalk Art Show

Typically held mid-May (likely May 16-17, 2026), this juried art show brings 300+ artists to the boardwalk between 17th and 25th Streets. It is one of the oldest outdoor art festivals on the East Coast and worth walking through even if you are not buying. Quality ranges from genuine fine art to beach kitsch, but the people-watching is excellent and admission is free.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small. Those 10 rainy days in May tend to bring quick showers that last 30-45 minutes, not all-day rain. You will look silly carrying an umbrella on the beach, but a packable jacket works for both rain and chilly evening wind.
SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen. UV index of 8 means you will burn in 15-20 minutes without protection, and the ocean breeze tricks you into thinking you are fine until you are not. Reapply every 90 minutes if swimming.
Layering pieces, not just shorts and t-shirts. A long-sleeve linen shirt and light pants for evenings when temperatures drop to 16-18°C (60-64°F) will save you from being miserable at outdoor restaurants. Locals wear jeans and light jackets in May evenings without irony.
Closed-toe water shoes if you plan to explore tide pools or rocky areas at First Landing. The beach sand is fine, but oyster shells along the bay side will shred your feet. Also useful for the occasionally rocky ocean bottom near the fishing pier.
A legitimate wide-brim hat, not a baseball cap. The combination of direct sun and reflection off water and sand means your face gets UV exposure from multiple angles. Something with a 7-10 cm (3-4 inch) brim actually protects your neck and ears.
Polarized sunglasses, which are not optional luxury items but genuinely necessary. The glare off the Atlantic in May is intense enough to cause headaches, and polarization helps you see into the water if you are looking for fish or dolphins.
A small dry bag or waterproof phone case. Even if you do not plan to swim, the combination of ocean spray, sunscreen-covered hands, and sandy everything means your phone is at constant risk. A $15 waterproof case saves a $1000 phone.
Comfortable walking shoes with actual support. The boardwalk is 4.8 km (3 miles) one way, and if you walk it twice plus explore side streets, you are easily covering 12-16 km (7-10 miles) in a day. Flip-flops will destroy your feet by day two.
A light sweater or fleece for overly air-conditioned restaurants and shops. The temperature difference between 27°C (80°F) outside and 18°C (65°F) inside some establishments is jarring, especially if you are coming in damp from the beach.
Reusable water bottle, preferably insulated. Staying hydrated in 70% humidity is more important than you think, and buying bottled water on the boardwalk runs $3-4 each. Fill up at your hotel and refill at water fountains along the boardwalk.

Insider Knowledge

The resort area beaches (1st to 40th Street) are maintained and raked daily, but the sand quality and water clarity actually improve as you head north past 50th Street. Locals swim at 60th-80th Streets where parking is easier and crowds thin out dramatically. The beach is identical, just without the boardwalk infrastructure.
Oceana Naval Air Station runs flight operations constantly, and you will hear F-18 Super Hornets multiple times per day. They are LOUD, like conversation-stopping loud. This is normal life in Virginia Beach, not a special event. If jet noise bothers you, this might be a deal-breaker. Most people find it interesting for about two days, then annoying.
The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier at 15th Street charges $2 just to walk on it ($12 to fish), but the view from the end looking back at the beach and boardwalk is worth it for photos. Go at sunrise around 6am in May for the best light and to watch the serious fishermen who actually know what they are doing.
That 70% humidity is the kind that makes your skin feel sticky within 10 minutes of leaving air conditioning. Locals wear minimal synthetic fabrics and stick to cotton or linen. Your hair will do whatever it wants regardless of products. Accept this early and you will be happier.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all of Virginia Beach is the resort area. The city is actually huge, stretching 50 km (31 miles) from north to south. Sandbridge, the Chesapeake Bay side, and the rural southern section near Back Bay offer completely different experiences. Spending your entire trip on the 40-block resort strip means missing most of what makes the area interesting.
Underestimating how cold the water feels in early May. Locals do not swim regularly until June. If you are visiting May 1-15 and swimming is your main priority, you might be disappointed. The air feels warm at 24°C (75°F), but the 17-18°C (62-64°F) ocean is a shock. Late May is noticeably better.
Not checking the tide schedule before planning beach activities. Virginia Beach has moderate tides with roughly 1 meter (3-4 feet) difference between high and low. At high tide near 40th Street and north, the beach nearly disappears. Low tide exposes 30-45 meters (100-150 feet) of additional beach and is far better for walking, playing, and finding shells. Tide charts are free online and actually matter.

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