CAPE CHARLES, Va. (WVEC/Delmarva Now) -- Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore were well represented in a list of the top ten beaches in the state.
USA Today's 10best website hosted a contest to select the top Virginia beaches. 10Best editors and local experts partnered with Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. "Dr. Beach") to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
The top beach in Virginia however -- as chosen by popular vote -- was not in our area. It's Colonial Beach, a river and beach town 65 miles from Washington, D.C., that is bounded by the Potomac River and Monroe Bay, and which is home to the second largest beach in Virginia.
Closer to home, Yorktown Beach near Williamsburg took the No. 2 spot, followed by three Eastern Shore beaches: Cape Charles Beach, Assateague Beach, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
The contest descriptions highlighted the particular merits of each entry — for example, Assateague's pristine beach and visitors' ability to view wild horses there, and Cape Charles' status as the only public beach on Virginia's Eastern Shore without an entrance or parking fee.
Of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the entry said, "The lifeguarded recreational beach draws big crowds during the summer months, while the quieter Wild Beach is popular with hikers."
"Assateague Island’s pristine, unspoiled beach located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is certainly worthy of the best Virginia beach award," said Evelyn Shotwell, executive director of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce.
"Seeing 1.4 million visitors per year, the CNWR and Assateague Island National Seashore provide hours of beach pleasure throughout the year. There is something new and different to experience every season," Shotwell said.
Elizabeth Dodd Russell, executive director of the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, called Cape Charles beach, as well as Kiptopeke State Park beach, "local and visitors' favorites."
Kiptopeke beach also was in the running in the contest, but did not make the top 10 list after the popular vote.
"These two beaches have the calm waves, big sandy areas and shallow areas for young kids to play. Both offer games and activities, maybe a little beach yoga for when you wake up," said Dodd Russell, noting the beach at Cape Charles "is a short walk to shops and restaurants."
Rounding out the top 10 were, in descending order:
06. Sandbridge Beach - Virginia Beach
07. Virginia Beach Boardwalk - Virginia Beach
08. Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve - Mathews
09. Westmoreland State Park - Montross
10. Buckroe Beach - Hampton
Leatherman uses 50 criteria to select the best United States beaches on an annual basis since 1991. He has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles about waves and beaches, and has made hundreds of television appearances.
