Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in over 9,250 acres of protected land located on and around a thin strip of the Virginia Beach coastline. Some of the geographical features include marshlands, beaches, and woodlands.

What kind of wildlife can you see at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge?

There are many animals that you and your kids can enjoy watching in their natural habitat on the Virginia Beach coastline. These include:

• American Black Duck
• Tunda Swan
• American Bittern
• Loggerhead Sea Turtles
• Many more

Things To Do at Back Bay NWR

At Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach, you can relax, bike ride, canoe, kayak, fish, or just take a stroll down the beach. If the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk to is too crowded for your taste, then you’ll definitely enjoy the refuge. Educational Programs are also available to the public in various areas around the refuge according to the site; they have an event calendar on the site listing the program summer dates. During the spring, summer, and fall, you can catch the Tram Tour which departs at 9:00 AM. Ride and relax while the tour guide points out all of the exciting wildlife around the park.

Scenic Sunrise Photo (top) and Beautiful Sunset Photo (bottom)

Beach Access at Back Bay NWR

Photos by Mike O’Shell. Click here for his full photo gallery!

How far away is Back Bay National Wildlife Reserve from the Virginia Beach oceanfront?

Back Bay NWR is located around fifteen miles south of VA Beach.