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Virginia boating waters. Backdrop for the Boating Hubs Virginia marina directory

Marinas · Virginia

Marinas in Virginia

Cruise 16 marinas across Virginia. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Shenandoah, the Chesapeake, and the southern Appalachians.

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Highest rated

Marinas in Virginia by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 14 of 16 marinas in Virginia with 10 or more Google reviews.

MarinaCityRating
Norfolk WatersportsNorfolk4.9318 Google reviews
Bayside MarinaColonial Beach4.950 Google reviews
Willow Landing MarinaStafford4.854 Google reviews
SailTime VirginiaNorfolk4.843 Google reviews
Belmont Bay Harbor MarinaWoodbridge4.7320 Google reviews
Washington Sailing MarinaAlexandria4.7207 Google reviews
Ocean Yacht MarinaPortsmouth4.7182 Google reviews
Colonial Harbor MarinaLanexa4.7118 Google reviews

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16 marinas in Virginia

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Also on the water

Boat rentals, tours and charters in Virginia

See all 28 on the map

Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in Virginia

Federal campgrounds in Virginia that Recreation.gov lists for boating, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. North Bend Park1

    North Bend Park

    10,728 bookings
  2. Rudds Creek Rec. Area2

    Rudds Creek Rec. Area

    3,865 bookings
  3. Goose Point3

    Goose Point

    3,552 bookings
  4. Longwood Park4

    Longwood Park

    2,513 bookings
  5. Salthouse Branch5

    Salthouse Branch

    2,454 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Marinas, boat launches, rivers & creeks and camping in Virginia

Everything we have mapped in Virginia, on one map. Tap anything for its details.

Loads the full map of Virginia. We leave it off by default so the page opens fast on mobile data.

Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

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Browse all 285 boat launches

About Virginia

The Chesapeake Bay makes Virginia. Thousands of miles of protected shoreline run along the state's eastern flank, laced with rivers and creeks (the James, the York, the Rappahannock), that lead to waterfront towns like Urbanna, Deltaville, and Onancock, each with its own maritime habits and its own reasons to stay an extra night. You can cruise here, sail here, fish here, and rarely repeat a route. Marinas around the Bay keep transient slips, fuel docks, and repair yards ready for vessels of every size.

Push past the Bay's shelter and the Atlantic takes over. Around Virginia Beach and the gateway to the Outer Banks, deep-sea charters run daily and bigger yachts stretch out along the coast. Norfolk and Portsmouth anchor the region's working waterfront: large marinas, yacht clubs, and shipyards that can handle serious vessel maintenance, not just a wash and wax. Between calm estuary and open ocean, the state covers the full range: an easy afternoon daysail one weekend, an offshore run the next.

The interior holds its own water. Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Anna carry the inland scene: powerboats, watersports, lakeside vacations, and marinas both public and private. The upper James River and stretches of the Potomac stay navigable for smaller craft, winding through country that hasn't been built up much. Whatever the boat and whatever the mood, some Virginia waterway fits it.

No boat? Not a problem. The charter industry runs deep, especially on the Chesapeake: bareboat and crewed options sail from ports like Hampton and Annapolis (across the line in Maryland, but serving the Bay extensively), covering everything from weekend sails to multi-day cruises. Fishing charters are their own draw: striped bass, flounder, and red drum in the Bay, tuna and marlin offshore. The water here is open to anyone willing to book a trip.

When to cruise in Virginia

Peak Jun–Aug

Full season

Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
285
Rivers mapped
1,028
Marinas listed
16
Best season
April through November

Trip guide

Know before you go in Virginia

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Boater Education Card

    Anyone operating a motorboat with a 10 horsepower or greater motor, or a personal watercraft (PWC), must have a Virginia Boater Education Card. As of 2016 this applies to all such operators regardless of age or birth year. There are age restrictions for PWC operation; verify with the state agency for specifics.

    Virginia DWR

  • Vessel Registration

    All motorboats and personal watercraft (PWC) primarily used in Virginia must be registered with the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR); sail-powered vessels longer than 18 feet must be titled with DWR but are not required to be registered or to display numbers. Registration numbers must be displayed on the bow, and a valid registration decal must be affixed to the boat. Exemptions apply for certain non-motorized vessels or those documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Virginia DWR

  • Fishing License

    Anyone aged 16 or older wishing to fish in Virginia's fresh or saltwater must possess a valid Virginia fishing license. Different licenses are required for freshwater, saltwater, and certain specific species. Review the DWR regulations for the specific waters and fish you intend to target.

    Virginia DWR

  • Safety Equipment Requirements

    All vessels must carry specific safety equipment as mandated by U.S. Coast Guard and Virginia DWR regulations. This includes life jackets (PFDs) for every person on board, visual distress signals, a sound-producing device, fire extinguishers (for certain vessels), and navigation lights. Specific requirements vary by vessel length and type.

01Do I need a special license to operate a boat in Virginia?
You need a Boater Education Card if you're operating a motorboat with a 10 horsepower or greater motor, or a personal watercraft, this requirement now applies to all such operators regardless of age. Completing an approved boating safety course earns the card.
02What are the best times of year for recreational boating in Virginia?
Late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October) hit the sweet spot: pleasant temperatures, stable weather, and far fewer boats to share the water with. Summer (June-August) draws the biggest crowds and the warmest conditions, great, if you don't mind company.
03Are there many marinas in Virginia, and do they offer transient slips?
The network is deep, especially along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and on the major inland lakes. Most full-service marinas carry transient slips, fuel, and pump-out, but call ahead in peak season, because the good spots go.
04Can I charter a boat in Virginia?
Yes, and the options run wide: bareboat and crewed sailing charters, powerboat rentals, and fishing charters, most departing from hubs like Hampton, Norfolk, and Deltaville. There's a trip for nearly every experience level and group size.
05What types of fish can I expect to catch while boating in Virginia?
The Chesapeake and its rivers produce striped bass (rockfish), flounder, red drum, croaker, and bluefish. Head offshore into the Atlantic and the targets get bigger: tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and marlin, depending on the season.
06Is anchoring allowed in Virginia's waterways?
Generally, yes: most public waterways allow anchoring as long as you're not blocking navigation, infringing on private property, or sitting in a designated no-anchoring zone. Check local rules where you drop the hook, and anchor like someone who plans to come back.

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

View all tools
River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in Virginia.
Boat LaunchesFind public boat ramps on a map, with the water each one sits on.
Boating License CheckPick your state, boat and birth year for a yes or no from the state's own boater education rule, quoted and linked.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Route PlannerDrop stops on a map and watch distance and drive time add up. Export a GPX or share the link.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.

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