Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in southeastern Virginia Beach, is worlds away from the tourist hustle of the city’s famous boardwalk. Established in 1938, the refuge is over 9000 acres and lies on the Atlantic Flyway providing a rich habitat for migratory birds. Tundra swans, a variety of ducks, as well as snow and Canada geese call Back Bay home during the fall and winter migration but you can also find year-round residents such as heron, bald eagles and endangered loggerhead turtles. On occasion, if you’re lucky, you may spot a wild “banker pony” who has wandered up from the Outer Banks.
Luckily for me this beautiful natural refuge is less than a 20 minute drive from my house.
Geographically the refuge is the northernmost point of the barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. This thin strip of land is flanked by Back Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. You’ll find a wide variety of habitats here including freshwater marshes, maritime forests, dunes and beaches. Aside from a tram that takes visitors to the remote False Cape State Park, access to the refuge is only by foot or bike and its distance from more populated areas of Virginia Beach make it a perfect stop for anyone looking for a little solitude or to get in touch with nature.
Back Bay has 8 miles of trails including raised walkways through the freshwater marshes and a dirt trail perfect for biking or hiking. Dedicated pathways provide access to the beach without disturbing the fragile dunes
Oh, and that beach?
It’s one of of the most scenic and secluded beaches on the East Coast. (I may be a little biased here).
On the beach you’ll find more birds of the sea-going variety from plucky little sanderlings scuttling amongst the tides to a fleet of lofty brown pelicans on the lookout for their next fishing spot. With a little luck you may even spot a pod of dolphins out in the surf.
I’m just going to stop writing now and let the pictures speak for themselves…..
Have you visited this undiscovered gem in Virginia Beach? Where are some of your favorite under the radar destinations?
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Revati Victor says
Gosh lucky you! I have nothing even reminiscent of nature forget 20, even 60 minutes from my house. 🙁 Getting out and watching the birds and the clouds can really feel like a quick spa vacay without the $$ isn’t it?
Brianna says
I do love living near the ocean. I take for granted sometimes that other people travel to come here for vacation.
Daidri | Thee Getaway Gal says
Gorgeous pictures! With the very first one I wanted to hop right on that boardwalk and start exploring. I have not visited Virginia and would love to explore more East Coast beaches. Looks like a perfect getaway!
Brianna says
Thanks Daidri. Since I live here I sometimes take for granted how pretty this area can be.
wandering educators says
Just gorgeous! i’d go there often…
Brianna says
I really should go there more often, its something I need to remedy.
Em says
Ah, wildlife refuges are the best. Never been to Virginia Beach, but have enjoyed many in the Midwest. Excellent photos, by the way!
Brianna says
Thanks Em! I love that there is land set aside to protect wild habitats and natural beauty of an area.
Anne Klien ( Meaanne) says
Wow what a view. .. this is what im missing , I need to drive about 2 hours to get to the nearest beach. .. beautiful pictures 🙂
Brianna says
For living this close I don’t go nearly often enough
Murissa says
Gorgeous shots! Looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon getting lost with nature.
Brianna says
I definitely need to spend more time here, it was so relaxing!
samiya selim says
What a gorgeous place! Such stunning images, would love to visit !
Brianna says
Well, let me know if you ever make your way to Virginia!
Jenna says
Wow, this is so pretty! Great photos. It also really reminds me of the bird preserves that are between my house and Lodi, also about a 20 minute drive from my house.
Brianna says
Thanks Jenna!It’s pretty anytime, but the sunset that afternoon was just spectacular.
christine says
Great photos!! 🙂
Brianna says
Thanks Christine! I was clicking away like a mad woman, the sunset light was just gorgeous
Steph @Every Steph says
Gosh it looks beautiful!! Lucky you
Brianna says
The sunset and the solitude made for a special afternoon
Tim says
I have always been a big fan of Pat Conroy who grew up in and around this area and talks about it a lot in his novels. This could be the embryo of a road trip 🙂
Brianna says
Do let me know if you make it out this way!
Meg @ Mapping Megan says
Spectacular photos – I love the last one of Sunset. Looks just beautiful. I love spending time in different national Wildlife refuge’s and we make an effort to visit as many as possible when on the road. Thanks for this overview!
Brianna says
Thanks Megan! It’s hard to take bad pictures with such gorgeous surroundings
Geeky Explorer says
Great place to find your inner peace.
Brianna says
It is very tranquil
Elena says
It´s quite pretty where you live…And so quiet, where are all the people?
Brianna says
This is away from the more developed areas making for a great afternoon respite.
Lisa Goodmurphy says
What a lovely place – you’re lucky to live so close! It reminds me quite a bit of some of the areas of Prince Edward Island National Park.
Brianna says
PEI, now that’s some beautiful country right there
Dave Cole says
Your shots really do justice to the beauty of the mid-Atlantic coast. Heading down to the water on a nice fall day with all of those trails and birds would be a perfect few hours. I like hitting the beaches in Rhode Island, as most people just drive through between New York and Boston. They are so unspoiled and are a throwback.
Brianna says
Thanks Dave, it really was a perfect afternoon. Maybe I’ll head up to RI so I can do a comparison
Emily says
You’re incredibly lucky to have all this virtually on your doorstep. It looks as if there is a huge amount of diversity within the 9000 acres. An afternoon with the dogs looking for bald eagles sounds good to me 🙂
Brianna says
That sounds good to me too!
Mama Herself says
We have a nature reserve near us in London, and it is one of my favourite places to go.
Doesn’t have a beach though. Or dolphins. Or bald headed eagles. Or turtles. Or those nifty walkways. I am wildly jealous now!
Brianna says
Looks like its time for a vacay:)
Stephen & Jess says
Gorgeous pictures! You really captured a sense of peace and tranquility at Back Bay.
Brianna says
Thanks, it was a really peaceful afternoon
Alejandra Gil says
Wow these are gorgeous pictures! Looks like a great place to go and have some “me time”
Brianna says
I really must go down there more often
Veronika says
Oh my, those photos are stunning..! So lucky you have it close to your home! Do you go often?
Colleen Brynn says
How lucky you are that you live so close to this place. I bet the air smells really good!
Brianna says
I ove the smell of the sea.
Scott Tisson says
Great photos, it looks awesome there 🙂
Brianna says
How can you not love an uncrowded beach?
Katie @ Domestiphobia says
Great photos — that place looks gorgeous!!
Brianna says
I’ll bring you by sometime!
Andi says
What a gorgeous spot – at 20 minutes away, I would be visiting all the time! We have some protected shoreline and marsh areas near my house with a lovely bike route that runs through it and I always feel one with nature whenever we go on a ride.
Brianna says
I need to make it down more often 🙂
Traveling Ted says
Definitely is nice to have places like this close to home, especially ones that are home to herons, eagles, secluded beaches, and turtles. You can always count on National Wildlife Refuges to have something special.
Margherita @The Crowded Planet says
So lucky you have this amazing place on your doorstep. I would spend all my spare time there, beachcombing and looking for washed-up treasures!
Jessica @ The Dining Traveler says
Gorgeous! We’re in DC and we’ve been wanting to drive down to Virginia Beach but always get scared of the 95 traffic! Hoping to just wake up early on a Saturday and head down!
Brianna says
Let me know if you do, I’d be happy to show you around!
Jessica @ Green Global Travel says
I can’t believe you live less than 20 minutes from this wildlife refuge! The photos you posted are amazing. What a great way to spend the afternoon!
Brianna says
Thanks Jessica, I really do need to get down here more often.
Stephanie Mayo says
Wow, what an incredibly beautiful place! It’s having places like these near by that help me get through the time when I’m not travelling.
Brianna says
I love finding surprises like this in my own country.
Jennifer@Travel Bharat says
Wow, what an incredibly beautiful place. It also really reminds me of the bird preserves that are between my house and Lodi,
Brianna says
Back Bay is so peaceful, I try to stop by more often when I’m not on the road.