Sandbridge Beach

Sandbridge Beach is a secluded barrier island community located in the southern portion of Virginia Beach, Virginia, approximately fifteen miles south of the Resort Area. Sandbridge is a coastal community of Virginia Beach, located along the coastline on the Currituck Banks Peninsula at the northern end of the Outer Banks. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the east, the Back Bay of the Currituck Sound to the west, and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park lie to the south. Sandbridge Beach runs approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometres) from north to south along the oceanfront. Often described as the last undeveloped stretch of Virginia's Atlantic shore before the North Carolina border, Sandbridge is cherished for its natural beauty, quiet atmosphere, and proximity to some of the most ecologically significant protected lands on the East Coast. The Outer Banks strand begins in Virginia with the 4.5-mile long Sandbridge Beach. Because Sandbridge Beach is backed by Currituck Sound to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, its geography is similar to that of the North Carolina Outer Banks, and that similarity has earned Sandbridge Beach the nickname "The Outer Banks of Virginia."

History

Sandbridge, a strip of land situated between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, has been home to farmers, surfmen, fishermen, hunters, vacationers, and permanent residents for over one hundred years. Deeds dating to 1850 reveal that the original name of this beach was Sand Ridge.

In the late 1800s, the U.S. Congress authorized the U.S. Lifesaving Service to construct stations along the coast to assist ships in distress. Dam Neck Mills and Little Island Station protected Sandbridge. Six surfmen and a keeper manned each station, and they and their families lived nearby. These stations continued, as a part of the U.S. Coast Guard, into the nineteen thirties.

In the late 1800s, Sandbridge Beach was the location of hunting clubs typical of the time. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1938, absorbing most of the clubs. Before World War II, Sandbridge Beach was a local secret.

The area's modern residential history began in the early 1950s. In 1952, Harvey Lindsay and a group of friends from Norfolk bought the entire strip for $100,000. Lindsay began building Sandfiddler Road and placing cottages on top of the man-made sand dunes. In 1952, a 100′ x 220′ lot cost investors $2,700, or $50 a month with $50 down. Most buyers were nearby Virginia natives for whom Sandbridge Beach was a yearly summer family tradition. These groups built small cottages without heat, dug their own wells, and shared a telephone line with a three-minute limit each. Cottage owners typically moved to Sandbridge for the whole summer season, with working residents commuting on weekends.

The decade following the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 was one of rapid growth. Sandbridge was extended to within a mile of Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. Plans for further expansion were curtailed with the passage of the Federal Wet Lands Act. However, houses continued to sprout along Sandpiper and Sandfiddler Roads. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sandbridge was expanding into a year-round community.

The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 proved to be a defining event in Sandbridge's modern history. The 1962 Nor'easter breached the barrier dunes and flooded the bay with seawater. Then, in 1965, in a misguided conservation effort, Virginia Beach authorities began pumping yet more saltwater into the bay, and as a result, bass, bluegill, and crappie died, replaced by the kind of fish that flourish in brackish waters. Then, in 1987, saltwater pumping was halted, and a massive restoration program began.

Geography and Access

Sandbridge Beach is located on a barrier island, along coastal southeast Virginia, separating the Atlantic Ocean on the east from Back Bay, a shallow freshwater sound, to the west. To the north, Sandbridge borders the U.S. Navy's Dam Neck facility. The only public road entrance to the community is Sandbridge Road, which is near the northern end of Sandbridge and connects it to businesses and neighborhoods in the Princess Anne area of Virginia Beach.

Sandbridge consists primarily of single-family homes. There are also four condominium complexes, the largest of which are Sanctuary at False Cape, at the south end near the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Sandbridge Dunes, at the north end. Many of the residential properties are available for rent on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The ratio of year-round residents to renters is said to be about 1:5.

Located in the northern part of Sandbridge at 2549 Sandfiddler Road, a city beach facility includes parking, restrooms, outdoor showers and foot washes, and changing areas. Similar to North Carolina's Outer Banks, Sandbridge Beach is occasionally prone to tropical storms, which can result in mandatory evacuations.

Beach Erosion and Sand Replenishment

Coastal erosion has been a persistent challenge at Sandbridge throughout its history as a residential community. Several major storms, nor'easters, and hurricanes have struck the area in past years, causing severe losses of sand and coastal flooding. During the initial development of Sandbridge as a residential community, sand dunes were lowered, and in some cases, removed for construction near the shoreline.

In 1998, the city funded a $7.4 million project due to the severity of erosion and following storms that ravaged the beach and destroyed a number of homes. "Houses were washing into the ocean," said one observer, speaking of a period during the 1990s. Hurricane Sandy, the destructive 2012 storm, stole 138,000 cubic yards of sand from Sandbridge as it bypassed Virginia Beach on its way to the northeastern U.S. The following year, a replenishment project which included dredging and placing sand delivered 2 million cubic yards of sand to roughly five miles of beach without federal dollars.

Sandbridge has a special service district, sometimes called by the acronym SSD, meant to provide additional tax dollars for the "local share" of beach and shoreline management, including replenishment. The district aims to keep the beach stable, fighting natural erosion to protect recreation areas, property, and the value of a residential community that doubles as a vacation destination.

Natural Environment

The natural setting of Sandbridge Beach is among the most ecologically rich along Virginia's Atlantic coastline. Two major protected areas border the community to the south and provide habitat for an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern corner of the City of Virginia Beach. The refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Diverse habitats, including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub and upland forest, are home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish. The refuge contains over 9,200 acres of marsh, beaches, dunes, woodlands and farm fields.

Over 300 species of birds and dozens of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects and fish have been documented at the wildlife refuge. The refuge serves as a vital stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway, and throughout the year, visitors can spot a diverse array of species, including herons, egrets, ospreys, and even the majestic bald eagle. The refuge trail system consists of seven interconnected trails that provide opportunities to observe the wildlife and vegetation of the refuge's seven distinct habitats—ocean, beach, marsh, shrubs, grassland, maritime forest and freshwater bay. Trail surfaces vary from boardwalk, crushed stone, sand and gravel.

False Cape State Park

Nestled between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, False Cape State Park is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast and offers an opportunity to experience nature in a unique, primitive setting. The park covers 4,321 acres and features 5.9 miles of beachfront, extending to the North Carolina line. False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and six miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach. The park is accessible only by foot, bicycle, tram or boat.

The refuge works with neighboring False Cape State Park to provide tram tours throughout the year. Tram tours begin at the wildlife refuge parking lot and start with a ride through the wildlife refuge to reach the state park. After a brief visit at the park's Visitor Center, the tram continues deep into the state park, all the way to the site of the historic Wash Woods community. A one-mile, round-trip optional hike brings participants to the cemetery and church steeple, all that is left of this community.

While on the beach at Sandbridge, visitors can look out for rare Surf Scoters, Northern Gannets, and even Peregrine Falcons.

Recreation and Amenities

Sandbridge Beach attracts visitors seeking outdoor recreation in a natural setting removed from the concentrated commercial development of the main Oceanfront resort strip. One of the biggest attractions to Sandbridge is its relative remoteness when compared to the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

Little Island Park

Little Island Park is a 122-acre beach park in Sandbridge, located at 3820 Sandpiper Road, just north of Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The park has a 775-foot beach north of the 400-foot fishing pier for surfing and a 2,000-foot beach for swimming and fishing south of the pier. Back Bay, a brackish lake, provides excellent fishing and crabbing along the western border of this unique park.

Little Island Park offers a variety of amenities, including a 400-foot fishing pier, designated areas for surfing and swimming, lighted tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, a playground, picnic shelters with charcoal grills, public restrooms, outdoor showers, and seasonal concessions. Fishing from the pier does not require a Virginia Saltwater Fishing License, as the pier is covered by a blanket license; however, fishing from the beach does require an individual license.

Water Sports and Other Activities

Watersports rental outposts serve surfers, kayakers, boaters, paddleboarders, and other water enthusiasts. The beach features public beach access paths along Sandfiddler Road, making it easy to enjoy the oceanfront. Additionally, there are rental options for kayaks and paddleboards, allowing visitors to explore the calm waters of Back Bay.

Beaches are purposefully family-friendly, with waters monitored by lifeguards from the Virginia Beach EMS Lifeguard Division. There are lifeguard stands at the beaches near the Sandbridge Seaside Market and Little Island Park, and all other stretches of sand are regularly patrolled.

During the most popular travel months of June through September, visitors can expect to see highs in the mid-80s (°F), and winter temperatures typically don't dip past the low 20s.

Accommodation

There are no hotels at Sandbridge Beach, but houses and condos may be rented, and the area is a well-frequented tourist spot. Sandbridge consists primarily of single-family homes, and there are also four condominium complexes, the largest of which are Sanctuary at False Cape, at the south end near the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Sandbridge Dunes, at the north end. As of the 2010 census, over 400 year-round residents had put down roots in the community.

Notable Associations

Former Major League Baseball third baseman Ryan Zimmerman grew up in Sandbridge and currently owns a vacation home there. The former governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, also owns a home in Sandbridge Beach.