Mid Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay - Sandbars and swimming anchorages

Last year I moved my boat down to Bluewater Marina in the Hampton Roads area. I'm looking for a sandbar or beach destination that we can take our kids and friends to swim. I have a 31'er with I/O's. I have heard of some destinations close by that you can anchor very near shallow water and the kids can walk around and swim with a beach close by. Maybe near the outlet of the Poquoson River? There appears to be a couple of possibilities when viewing it via google earth. Anyone have suggestions or insight?

New Point Comfort is a popular spot. It's on the northern side of the mouth of the Mobjack Bay. Might be a little far from Bluewater though. There also plenty of islands around the mouth of the York River.

New Point Comfort is a popular spot. It's on the northern side of the mouth of the Mobjack Bay. Might be a little far from Bluewater though. There also plenty of islands around the mouth of the York River.
Thanks. I also have heard there may be some areas heading east around the mouth of the James River. Do you know of anything around there?

What about the area RIGHT AT the south side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel - east side, around the corner, right on the Bay? ;?

Haven't been there in a LONG time but it use to be a nice place to beach a boat and enjoy the water.

Regards,

if you want a nice long run come up the James past the ghost fleet. Once past the fleet stay to the right side, across the channel from Jamestown island is "chippokes" where the bottom is sand with a very gradual incline to shore. Probably a square mmile of area that people anchor/swim there. (and nearly freshwater)

What about the area RIGHT AT the south side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel - east side, around the corner, right on the Bay? ;?

Haven't been there in a LONG time but it use to be a nice place to beach a boat and enjoy the water.

Regards,

if you want a nice long run come up the James past the ghost fleet. Once past the fleet stay to the right side, across the channel from Jamestown island is "chippokes" where the bottom is sand with a very gradual incline to shore. Probably a square mmile of area that people anchor/swim there. (and nearly freshwater)

Both great suggestions....the one called Chippokes sounds like the one I had heard about before but couldn't remember. I'm going to spy the first suggestions as well...they sound promising. Thanks! :joincc::joincc:

if you want a nice long run come up the James past the ghost fleet. Once past the fleet stay to the right side, across the channel from Jamestown island is "chippokes" where the bottom is sand with a very gradual incline to shore. Probably a square mmile of area that people anchor/swim there. (and nearly freshwater)

I think the wife and I stopped there once - just east of Jamestown Island and right along the Parkway? ;? Nice place and sand beach, as I remember. :thumbsup:

Regards,

I think the wife and I stopped there once - just east of Jamestown Island and right along the Parkway? ;? Nice place and sand beach, as I remember. :thumbsup:

Regards,

nope....wrong side of the river but close....probably near "due south" from the spot your talking about.

I think the wife and I stopped there once - just east of Jamestown Island and right along the Parkway? ;? Nice place and sand beach, as I remember. :thumbsup:

Regards,


This sounds like the beach at College Creek. If so, it's a bad spot. The current is very strong and too dangerous for swimming. There was a drowning there this spring.

Chippokes is on the other (Surry) side of the river and a much better spot.

nope....wrong side of the river but close....probably near "due south" from the spot your talking about.

O.K. - I understand now. I ORIGINALLY thought you were talking about Chippokes Plantation, but when you said come UP the river and stay on the RIGHT side, I thought you were talking about what probably IS the creek at the eastern most tip of "The Thorofare".

I've been to the plantation a couple of times YEARS ago for the Pork, Pine, and Peanut Festival, but have never been right off there in a boat. It DOES seem like it would be a nice place. :thumbsup:

Sorry for the mix up.

Regards,

This sounds like the beach at College Creek. If so, it's a bad spot. The current is very strong and too dangerous for swimming. There was a drowning there this spring.

a kid died there about 2 weeks ago

There's also the Buckroe Beach and Grandview areas. North of Salt Ponds Marina there is plenty of beach and no houses.

Factory Point.