Kayaking & Canoeing
- Leisure
Whether you have your own equipment or would like to rent a boat, there's no shortage of opportunities to get out on the water. Regulations require one wearable life jacket for each person on the boat. Children under age 13 must wear a life jacket. Boats on coastal waters at night must carry night visual distress signals.
Canoe & Kayak Launches
Birdneck Launch
1299 Old Virginia Beach Road | access to Linkhorn Bay
Limited on-street parking. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 20 yards.
Carolanne Farms Park
373 Gainsborough Drive | access to the Elizabeth River
Limited on-street parking. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 300 yards down an asphalt path.
Dozier Bridge Launch
Princess Anne Road | access to West Neck Creek
Limited parking spaces. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 10 yards.
Hutton Circle Launch
Hutton Circle | access to London Bridge Creek and the Lynnhaven River
Limited on-street parking. No parking spaces. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 50 yards down an asphalt path.
Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area
5381 Shell Road | access to Lake Smith
All boats, including canoes and kayaks, must have a valid City of Norfolk Boat Permit as the water is governed by Norfolk. Ample vehicle and trailer parking. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 100 yards down an asphalt path.
Little Island Park
3820 S. Sandpiper Road | access to the Atlantic Ocean or Back Bay
Seasonal parking fees may apply. Ample vehicle and trailer parking. From the parking area, you will need to transport carry your canoe/kayak about 50 yards down a sandy path.
Lotus Garden Park
1289 Sandbridge Road | access to Ashville Bridge Creek, Muddy Creek, and North Bay
This small roadside park is on the south side of Sandbridge Road with launch points on both sides of the road. Limited parking spaces. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 10 yards.
Lynnhaven Boat & Beach Facility
3576 Piedmont Circle | access to the Lynnhaven River and the Chesapeake Bay
Limited parking spaces. Trailer parking fee $10. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 10 yards.
Munden Point Park
2001 Pefley Lane | access to Oakum Creek
Ample on-site parking. Launching at Oakum Creek requires transporting your canoe/kayak about 150 yards down a concrete walkway. This launch is located at the back of the park. Access the North Landing River by launching from the boat ramp.
Owl Creek Boat Ramp
717 General Booth Blvd. | access to Rudee Inlet
Ample on-site vehicle and trailer parking. Overflow parking is across General Booth Boulevard in the grass overflow lot.
Pleasure House Point Natural Area
3957 Marlin Bay Drive | access to Pleasure House Creek, Crab Creek, and the Lynnhaven River
Kayaks/canoes can be launched from the beach; please don’t launch from raised berms. Ample parking is available along Marlin Bay Drive. You will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 1/4 mile on a sandy trail to the beach area. The kayak launch at the nearby Lynnhaven Boat Ramp gives access to Lynnhaven River and Crab Creek as well. Launching from there is suggested.
Pungo Ferry Landing Park
2272 Old Pungo Ferry Road | access to the North Landing River
Limited on-site vehicle and trailer parking. From the parking area, you will need to transport your canoe/kayak about 30 yards to the beach access launch.