Virginia Beach rides a new wave of year-round travel

Virginia Beach is making waves this fall following the debut of Atlantic Park, a $350 million entertainment district driven in part by hometown icon Pharrell Williams. 

At its core is the first Wavegarden Cove in the United States, a surf lagoon capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour. Designed to deliver consistent conditions for all levels of surfers, it ensures Virginia Beach can offer an experience that’s as compelling today as it is in July.

Atlantic Park is a public-private partnership among Williams, the City of Virginia Beach, and others. Beyond the surf lagoon, the development includes The Dome, a reimagined music venue, along with new dining and retail offerings. 

One of the first to open is Nami Nori, the acclaimed New York sushi restaurant co-owned by Williams. Its name, which translates to “surfing” or “wave riding,” feels right at home in the city’s new surf district, serving open-style temaki rolls, creative coastal dishes, and cocktails in a sleek, contemporary space. Together, these additions mark a major evolution of the oceanfront and underscore Virginia Beach’s year-round tourism ambitions.

Flavourful Fall: The Return of Oyster Season

Fall also ushers in Lynnhaven oyster season, when cooler waters enhance the distinctive briny-sweet flavour that has made these oysters a regional signature. Local chefs highlight them in inventive ways, from Terrapin’s Pungo Strawberry Mignonette to dockside platters at Chick’s Oyster Bar or thoughtful wine pairings at Zoe’s Steak & Seafood. 

For a hands-on experience, visitors can join Pleasure House Oyster Farm tours and harvest oysters straight from the Lynnhaven River while learning how sustainable farming supports the local ecosystem.

Winter on the water

As temperatures drop, whale-watching cruises take centre stage from December through March, offering front-row views of migrating humpback and fin whales along the Atlantic. 

Adding to the appeal is the popular Loonie Savers Pass, which unlocks exclusive discounts on accommodations, dining, and experiences across the city — a timely incentive designed to make Virginia Beach especially attractive to Canadians during a moment when many are weighing where and how they travel.

Nancy Helman, director of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, notes that the city’s year-round energy is changing perceptions. 

“Virginia Beach has always been known for its summer shoreline, but what’s happening now goes far beyond that. With Atlantic Park bringing surf to every season and a calendar full of experiences — from oysters to holiday lights — there’s never been a better time to see what’s new," she said. 

Holiday magic by the sea

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach returns for its 31st year, transforming the Virginia Beach Boardwalk into a dazzling drive-through wonderland. 

Highlights include a Surfing Santa, colour-changing archways, a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree, and the world’s longest curved LED light tunnel — an immersive spectacle stretching for hundreds of feet along the oceanfront. 

The family-friendly tradition runs nightly from 5:30 p.m., beginning Friday, November 14 through December 31. Tickets are available at BeachEventsVB.com.

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