VA Beach / Norfolk Kayak Launch

I have provided an address (in italics) that is the nearest point I could find to each launch site (Google Map this) (all in Virginia Beach, VA except those noted as Norfolk) and the distance from Old Donation Episcopal Church, North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA. From car to water I have given the approximate carrying distance, where to walk, and bank conditions. I have rated these sites as “A” - good parking, short walk and good bank conditions. “B” – ok and “C” - a bit challenging.

A - Lynnhaven River, Western Branch - 1051 Saw Pen Point Trail (Saw Pen Point Park), Virginia Beach, VA – 0.9 mile (east). Park parallel on the side of the road in front of park (no curb), walk through park to right side and then along a short trail to a concrete drainage platform (120 yards).

C –Lynnhaven River, Western Branch  - 812 St Lukes St – 0.4 mile (south east). Park at dead end, walk around owner’s fence to right and down a wooded trail for 50 yards. Path turns left for 20 yards. At bottom of hill turn right into a ditch that goes for 30 yards to water (little rocky) – 100 yards. Note: Saw Pen Point Park is near and at better launch.

C - Lynnhaven River, Western Branch, Thurston Branch, - 4417 Corporation Lane – 1.8 miles (south east). Park in Sentara Optima Health parking lot (furthest point from building and in corner near the water). Suggest this be after 6 p.m. as the lot is full until after hours. There is a small path (8 yards) to the water. At low tide, there’s some mud to walk across.  

B - Lynnhaven River, Western Branch - 1625 Spring House Trail - 4.8 miles (northeast). Park on grass next to the monument to Lynnhaven Parish Church No. 1. Just past the monument walk to the left (facing the river) and find wood plank steps leading to a path through tall reeds and a shell bed bottom to river – 20 yards.

A - Lynnhaven River, Western Branch - Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility, Piedmont Circle – 5.3 miles (northeast). Park in Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility, spaces 28 – 38 (near sign for kayak launch). Walk over to kiosk and pay $3, 12 quarters or dollar bills. Recommend quarters as dollar bills have to be rolled up and stuffed through small hole. Non-residents must pay $5. See http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/beach-boat-facilities/pages/lynnhaven-boat-ramp-beach-facility.aspx

B - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch, Pine Tree Branch, -  2884 Virginia Beach Blvd – 5.5 miles (south east). Park between Virginia Beach Blvd and the Subway Restaurant in the Lynnhaven Shopping Center. Look for a path to water - 2 yards (small mud flat to negotiate at low tide).

A - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch, London Bridge Creek - 225 Arrowfield Rd – 7.4 miles (south east). Park along yellow guard rail at dead end.  There is a path to left to a concrete pad into water - 3 yards.

B - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch - 311 Hutton Circle (Hutton Circle Free Public Launch) - 6.6 miles (south east). There are just two public parking spaces – path is 120 yards to water (wood dock). A better choice, and much shorter walk, is to park in Pep Boys lot (nearest Virginia Beach Blvd and water). There is an open gate to trail – 50 yards. See http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/Hutton_Circle.html

B - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch - 2548 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA - 6.2 miles (south east). Park in rear of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. There is a path to the water – 2 yards (grassy and a bit step).

C - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch, Brock Cove - 1871 N Great Neck Rd - 8.1 miles. Park in back of Frasncis Asbury United Methodist Church near picnic shed; walk down to an outdoor amphitheater. Go to the right along river to find a launch site. There is a bit of a drop and tree roots in way (may help or hurt) – 60 yards.

C – Long Creek to Broad Bay or mouth of the Lynnhaven River - 2865 Lynnhaven Drive – 7.1 miles northeast. Park beside O’Leary’s Bar and Grill, Great Neck Plaza Shopping Center, near water. Walk behind O’Leary’s along a ten foot fence (15 yards). At end of fence walk back along fence on other side (Boatel Warehouse on your right) for 25 yards to water. There is a 3 foot drop from a bulkhead (the right side is not as high).

B – Boat Channel to Broad Bay - Adam Keeling Rd and North Great Neck Rd – 7.7 miles north east. This is a public access. From North Great Neck pull into Adam Keeling Rd to a gate on right (10 feet) that has a bar across it and unload kayak. Then turn left and park along area where you see cars parallel parked (fishermen). From the gate walk 130 yards down trail and then go right (fishermen go left) where the trail splits to launch under the Great Neck Bridge. Go to furthest place where it’s not so rocky.

B - Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch - Great Neck Park - 9.7 miles northeast. Park in front of Shelter No 4. Walk behind shelter and past horse shoe court on your left to pine needle path through woods to water – 100 yards. At low tide it’s a bit muddy but I find there are plenty of tree limbs scattered about to put down on the mud.

A - Linkhorn Bay – 1291 Old Virginia Beach Road (off Birdneck Rd) - 11.4 miles east. This is a public kayak launch site at the Old Virginia Beach Road dead end (one yard) with street parking. Paddle north under Laskin Road low bridge into Linkhorn Bay.

A - Broad Bay - Cape Henry Trail, 64th St Cape Henry Trail – 14.5 miles (east) @ First Landing State Park, accessible from 64th Street. A fee for parking is $4. A small boat launch is just before the main parking area and boat ramp for kayaks, almost right on the beach itself, parking for about 15-20 vehicles – 2 yards.

A – Lake Joyce - 4300 Shore Dr (Baylake United Methodist Church, Virginia Beach, VA) – 4.4 miles (north). Park in church parking lot (north west corner). Walk down grass lawn to water (20 yards).

A – Lake Joyce - 400 Indian Hill Road – 4.4 miles (north). Park along curb. There is a railing with an open gate to the water - 2 yards. 

A – Lake Joyce - 2341 Bayville Road – 4.6 miles (north). Park along curb. Walk past a bench to the water. – 7 yards.

C – Lake Joyce - 4528 Lake Drive – 4.4 miles (north). Drop off kayak at a gate that has an opening to the water (2 yards). Drive west on Lake Drive to street parking just past Greenwell – 100 yards from kayak drop.

B - Chesapeake Bay - Billy B. Post, LCSW, Bayview Avenue – 4.9 miles north. Park on right side of Bayview Ave nearest the beach pubic access (two places only). Walk over sand to beach – 50 yards.

A  -  Chesapeake Bay - 2410 Whaler Court – 6.8 miles (northeast). Turn to right in cul-de-sac and park on right side of Whaler near public access. Walk on concrete public access and down steps to beach.

A - Lake Smith - 5397 Shell Rd (Lake Smith Fishing Station) – 4.1 miles (northeast). Park in public lot after unloading kayak on concrete launch ramp – one yard.  

B - Rudee Inlet and Ocean Access - 717 General Booth Blvd  - 14.0 miles (east) - Owl Creek Boat Ramp, located next to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center - Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. No launch fee. Launch at ramp and then find parking. Lots of larger boats – not very  kayak friendly. http://distressedmullet.com/owl-creek-boat-ramp

http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/Owl_Creek.html

A – Little Creek Reservoir - 2101 Kimball Circle, Norfolk, VA – 4.5 miles (northwest). Go around court to northeast exit. Park as near stop sign as possible. Walk along sidewalk (parallel to and near Shore Drive) that becomes grass. There is a concrete pad at lake – 30 yards.

A - Lake Whitehurst - 7017 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA – 7.8 miles (west). Unload kayak on right side of road going northeast (lake to the right) directly in front of Leafwood Dr. Turn left into Leafwood Dr. and park along curb. Walk straight across Azalea Garden Rd to a small opening in the bushes and concrete pad into the water (from car 20 yards – from kayak – 3 yards).

C - Lake Whitehurst (North) - 4269 Heutte Drive, Norfolk, VA – 5.8 miles (northwest). Driving toward Shore Drive, just past stop sign and before Shore Drive turn right onto grass and follow a grass trail left by other vehicles for 240 yards to water. Look for a concrete pad into the water.

C - Lake Whitehurst (South) 3444 Budd Dr, Norfolk, VA – 8.6 miles (west). Park at gate to Azalea Acres Neighborhood Park. Walk straight through park and playground swings to find a path winding to the water – 150 yards – good bank, no hill.

Other Possible Launch Sites in Norfolk (not tested).

A - Lafayette River - 810 Norview Ave, Norfolk, VA - 11.8 miles (west) Large open parking area beside Wayne Creek - 2 yards. Paddle under Tidewater Drive to Lafayette River.

A - Lafayette River - 7492 Maury Arch, Norfolk, VA. - 14.7 miles (west)  curb parking - 2 yards. Open Rip rap area to Lafayette River just west of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club and east of Norfolk International Terminals.

Other Lafayette River Kayak Launch Sites http://atidewaterpaddler.blogspot.com/2013/02/lafayette-river-basics.html

 

Plus.. 

Haven Creek Boat Ramp (Lafayette River)
@ Mayflower Road and New York Ave  http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/Haven_Creek.html  

 

Lafayette City Park Ramp La Valette Ave and Columbus Ave, Norfolk
http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/Lafayette_Park.html  

 

45th Street Ramp (Lafayette River) West 45th Street and Killam Ave
http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/45th_Street.html  

 

Elizabeth River Boat Landing and Park
http://www.kayakvb.com/launch/Elizabeth_River.html  

 

City of Norfolk Kayak Launch Sites. The City of Norfolk owns and operates several kayak launch sites.
http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=745 http://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1384  
Location,  Address, Accessible Areas
* East Ocean View Recreation Center, 9520 E. 29th Bay Street, Paddle Little Creek/Pretty Lake – Fishing Pier on site
* Captain’s Quarters Park, 800 Little Bay Avenue (off 9th View from W. Ocean View Ave.), Paddle Creeks, Willoughby Bay, & Hampton Roads Bridge
* Grandy Village Community Center, 2971 Kimball Lop, Paddle the Historic Elizabeth River
* Willoughby Boat Ramp, 13th View and Bayville Street, Paddle Willoughby Bay or to the Hampton Roads Bridge - http://www.meetup.com/Kayakers/events/123207472
http://usa.indettaglio.it/eng/51/710/2091780.html  
* Community Beach Park, 700 East Ocean View Avenue, Paddle the Chesapeake Bay or to the Hampton Roads Bridge. Launch east or west of swim area, it is unlawful to launch from within or paddle in the park beach swim area.
* Ocean View Beach Park, 100 West Ocean View Avenue, Paddle the Chesapeake Bay or to the Hampton Roads Bridge. Launch east or west of swim area, it is unlawful to launch from within or paddle in the park beach swim area.
* Sarah Constant Beach Park, 300 West Ocean View Avenue, Paddle the Chesapeake Bay or to the Hampton Roads Bridge. Launch east or west of swim area, it is unlawful to launch from within or paddle in the park beach swim area.

Boat Ramps Hampton Roads http://www.hamptonroadsfishingguide.com/directory/boatRamps.html  

Kayaking in Hampton Roads

http://www.kayakvb.net/tag/norfolk  

 

Elizabeth River Boat Landing and Park http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Government/City-Departments/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation-Department/parks/elizabethriverpark.htm  

 

Portsmouth City Park Boat Launch on the Western Branch Elizabeth River
http://www.windvisions.com/city_park.html  

 

Virginia Beach and Norfolk free kayak launch sites   http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/beach-boat-facilities/Pages/waterway-access-sites.aspx 

 

Stumpy Lake  “Stumpy Lake Natural Area Canoe & Kayak Launch, Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA” (7.7 miles south) http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails/natural-areas/Pages/stumpy-lake-natural-area.aspx

 

Munden Point Park “Munden Point Park, Pefley Lane, Virginia Beach, VA” (25.5 miles south) http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails/city-parks/Pages/munden-point-park.aspx

 

Sandbridge - http://destinationsandbridge.com/about-sandbridge-beach-virginia/beach-and-waterway-access/