Sister islands Chincoteague and Assateague are the best known attractions of the Eastern Shore, the strip of land separated from Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Head to Chincoteague to see the famous wild ponies.

 

Many beaches can be discovered up and down the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. River water is more brackish than the ocean and not as deep for swimming. But the river beaches are popular with fishermen, crabbers and can be used for swimming and relaxing.

 

The Hampton Roads area features 12 deep water marinas and activities in Hampton tend to center around the harbor with tours aboard the 65-foot "Miss Hampton," and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. There are also a few sandy beaches open to the public.

 

Norfolk has bragging rights to one of the finest harbors in the world. Featuring mostly naval yards and harbors, you’ll want to head here if you’re interested in maritime and naval heritage.

 

The Outer Banks are a series of long sand bars that stretch roughly 180 miles from the Virginia border to Cape Lookout. Known for their peace and quiet, the Outer Banks have no boardwalks and (thankfully for many) are not as commercial as Virginia Beach or Myrtle Beach.

 

The Crystal Coast is the beach cottage-for-a-week destination. It’s all about relaxation here. Also known as North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast is made up of Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, Beaufort, Morehead City and Cape Lookout

 

Along Cape Fear, the tagline says it all: an ocean, a historic riverfront town and the stories they tell. There are 31 miles of island beaches near Wilmington, which has a 230-plus block National Register Historic District.

 

People flock to Myrtle Beach for the 60 miles of beaches and coastline, which includes two oceanfront state parks. Others think golf when they hear the words Myrtle Beach, thanks to the area’s 120 courses.