U.S. Destinations : Virginia : Tidewater / Hampton Roads : EcoTourism & Wildlife Viewing
Virginia
Tidewater / Hampton Roads
EcoTourism & Wildlife Viewing

Aboard the Smokin Gun with CAPTAIN HOGG
800 S. Armistead Avenue
Hampton,  Virginia  23669
Phone: (757) 596-7451

Captain Hogg’s Charter Service offers some of the best Sport Fishing in the Lower Chesapeake Bay aboard the Smokin’ Gun, a 35-ft custom built JC, USCG certified for up to 16 passengers. Using his knowledge & experience, Capt Hogg will make your trip successful, relaxing and rewarding. Depending on the season, you can expect to catch a wide variety of local fish including Striped Bass, Black and Red Drum, Cobia, Trout, Flounder, Croaker and Spot! We are conveniently located at Sunset Marina in Hampton, only 30 minutes from Virginia Beach and Williamsburg and within walking distance to many hotels, museums, and restaurants. Please visit our Web site or call us about Full or half-day, Private or Individual fishing charters. Also available: Whale & bird watching tours, Navy vessel & harbor tours, & special occasion charters.

AquaMan Sportfishing Charters
712 Bowling Green Ct.
Virginia Beach,  Virginia  23452
Phone: (757) 200-0200

Climb aboard "AquaMan", a fully equipped diesel powered Bertram Sportfisherman, and enjoy a fast ride to some of the most fruitful fishing grounds on the East Coast. Experience the thrill of offshore fishing for tuna, marlin, wahoo and dolphin or enjoy a day of inshore fishing in the Cheaspeake Bay for a variety of species. Whichever you choose, it's sure to be a funfilled day aboard "AquaMan"! We supply a friendly, safety conscious crew, top of the line tackle including Penn, Shimano and Fin-Nor, all bait and lures, ice for food and drinks as well as your fish, all permits and licensing, a Coast Guard licensed captain, dedicated first mate (deck hand) who will show you the ropes, over 20 years combined experience in local waters and an awesome day on the water at a very competitive price.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach,  Virginia  23456
Phone: (757) 721-2412

Back Bay Refuge contains over 8,000 acres. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh. The majority of refuge marshlands are on islands contained within the waters of Back Bay. Approximately 10,000 snow geese and a large variety of ducks visit Back Bay Refuge during the peak of fall migration, usually in December. The refuge also provides habitat for a wide assortment of other wildlife, including threatened and endangered species such as loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles. Back Bay provides scenic trails, a visitor contact station, and, with advance scheduling, group educational opportunities. Fishing, hunting, bicycling and hiking are available. The Back Bay Refuge is located near Virginia Beach - south of Sandbridge at the southern end of Sandpiper Road.

Barnesfield Park
3360 Barnesfield Road
King George,  Virginia  22485
Phone: (540) 775-4386

Operated by King George County. Park consists of three softball fields, little league field, concession
stand, basketball courts, picnic pavilions, soccer fields, hiking area, nature trails, playground,
horseshoe pits. Open to the public 9 a.m. until dark, hours flexed based on hours of darkness.
Reservations for Picnic Pavillions free to King George Residents, others may use but $15 fee per shelter.

Bennetts Creek Park and Boat Ramp
Shoulder's Hill Road
Suffolk,  Virginia  23434
Phone: (757) 923-2360

This 50-acre park offers two free boat ramps, a playground, tennis courts, restrooms, covered shelters, a nature trail, open fields, and a handicapped accessible fishing and crabbing pier.

Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area
5806 Mooretown Rd.
Williamsburg,  Virginia  23188
Phone: (757) 253-7072

Hunting opportunities on the Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area include those for deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, doves and waterfowl. Morris Creek is a good largemouth stream and also provides excellent fishing for crappie and catfish, including channel, blue and white. Parking areas are located along routes 623 and 621 as well as along some of the interior roads. An excellent public boat ramp on Morris Creek gives boating and fishing access to the creek and the Chickahominy and James Rivers. Trails mowed to benefit wildlife also invite hikers. The Area is excellent for observing and photographing wildlife. Visits to the bluffs along the Chickahominy River, or the interior of the property often yield sightings of many upland and wetland plant and animal species, including ospreys and bald eagles.

Grandview Nature Preserve
Beach Road and State Park Drive
Hampton,  Virginia  23664
Phone: (757) 727-6347

This pristine 578-acre preserve and estuary on the Chesapeake Bay is ideal for wildlife observations, hiking and bird watching. It includes 2 1/2 miles of secluded bay-front beach.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
3100 Desert Road
Suffolk,  Virginia  23434
Phone: (757) 986-3705

Many weird and wild tales have been told about the Great Dismal Swamp and its mysterious circular lake, a biological wonder few have ever experienced. Several poets and history writers viewed this place in different ways: both a paradise and a place of foreboding unknown; rich and desolate; sweet smelling and pungent; a place where a person may find peace, or if lost, may never find the way out.

The Great Dismal is one of few remaining American wildernesses. With 111,000 acres to explore, visitors enjoy birdwatching, biking, boating, fishing, hiking, kayaking and hunting. Home to black bear, bobcat, river otter and over 200 species of birds, the Swamp provides adventure for all ages. Featured site of the Nat'l Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. Tours available through the Suffolk Visitor Center.

North Landing River Natural Area
End of Blackwater Road
Virginia Beach,  Virginia
Phone: (757) 925-2318

This is Virginia's largest natural area preserve. It is almost entirely comprised of wetland communities, five of which are rare in Virginia. This unique wetland community and the forested swamps and freshwater tidal marshes of the lower North Landing River support at least 11 rare species of plants and animals. The area also provides important habitat for breeding and wintering waterfowl.
The preserve is open year-round; facilities include parking, a boardwalk trail to the Alton's Creek canoe launch, a canoe trail with interpretive guide and map, wildlife viewing platform, and interpretive signs. The North Landing River provides excellent canoeing opportunities and breath-taking scenery. Please call before visiting.
For additional information or to arrange a visit, contact SE Regional Steward, DCR, Division of Natural Heritage.

Sandbridge Eco Sports
577 Sandbridge Road
Virginia Beach,  Virginia  23456
Phone: (757) 721-6210
Toll-Free: (800) 695-4212

Located adjacent to the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge with onsite water access, SES offers kayak and surfboard sales and rentals, as well as kayak tours and surfing lessons. A variety of kayaking tours are available that bring you face to face with spectacular displays of sea and wildlife, including eco tours of the unique Back Bay, ocean tours of the Atlantic, sunrise and sunset tours, and dinner tours. A retail store offers outdoor sports accessories and clothing.

The Nottoway River Ranch
33330 Smiths Ferry Road
Franklin,  Virginia  23851
Phone: (757) 562-0993

The Nottoway River Ranch..."where time slows & life begins". Enjoy the great outdoors on 75 plus acres in a wooded country setting adjacent to the Nottoway River in Southampton County.Board your horse and ride. Fish for bass, sunfish, etc. from the ranch pond. Canoe on the scenic Nottoway River. Enjoy four-wheeling on ranch trails. Camping. Bird watching.

Virginia Living Museum
524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard
Newport News,  Virginia  23601
Phone: (757) 595-1900

See animals native to Virginia swim, slither, roam and fly in this all-new, three times larger museum. Transport yourself to the steamy world of a cypress swamp, complete with alligators and snapping turtles. Find songbirds nestled in the trees around a cascading waterfall and view trout in a cool mountain stream. Explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay and the underground realm of a limestone cave, plus enjoy four hands-on discovery centers. See spectacular views of the sun from the new observatory and travel the universe in the planetarium theater. Outdoors, stroll the 3/4-mile elevated boardwalk to view coastal birds and other native animals in natural habitats.

Wild River Outfitters, Inc.
3636 Virginia Beach Blvd. #108
Virginia Beach,  Virginia  23452
Phone: (757) 431-8566
Toll-Free: (877) 431-8566

Sea kayaking and canoeing trips, tours, and instruction in Virginia Beach, VA. Professionally guided eco-tours, dolphin watching tours, moonlight paddles, and gourmet kayaking trips. Our paddling school features ACA certified instructors and top quality equipment. We also offer kayak fishing charters and bookings on a reservation-only basis. Please call for details.


Sponsored Features