The first and largest in the cluster of three beaches that are the nearest to Fort Lee is Virginia Beach. Each beach at Virginia Beach is free and offers lifeguards from mid-May to mid-September. If you're looking for more activities than just sitting on the beach look no farther than Virginia Beach, you also can visit the Oceanfront Water Park and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Virginia Beach also features a three-mile Boardwalk where you can find many restaurants, assorted nightlife and tourist shops.
Ocean View Beach in Norfolk is another beach in the cluster of beach locations that are nearby Fort Lee. Norfolk is located 15 miles to the west of Virginia Beach and spans eight miles along the Chesapeake Bay. Ocean View's amenities include summer lifeguards, pavilions for picnics and free parking. There is also a lot of boating that can be done in Norfolk with any kind of boat from paddle boats, to kayaks and sailboats for rent.
A very popular beach with windsurfers, Hampton features several deep-water marinas alongside its Buckroe Beach. If you forgot your chair or umbrella you can rent them right on the beach. In addition to Hampton's Buckroe Beach, the area is also the home of Virginia Air and Space Center, and the Cousteau Society .
The tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean provide several beaches in the area of Fort Lee as well. One of the main draws is to fishermen who travel to these locations because both freshwater and saltwater fish live in the same river. Chippokes Plantation State Park has two miles of beach on the James River for fishing. Westmoreland State Park and Colonial Beach also both feature river beaches just slightly farther north.
