Here are some of the best beaches on the Chesapeake Bay that we can tell you about with official facts. All three are state parks.

Quick answer: Three of the best beaches on the Chesapeake Bay at state parks: Sandy Point near Annapolis, with a one-mile beach and summer lifeguards; North East Beach at Elk Neck State Park; and Kiptopeke on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with an unguarded swimming beach. Rules and fees differ by park.

Contents

Sandy Point State Park, Maryland

Sandy Point – A one-mile sandy beach near the Bay Bridge. Lifeguards guard part of South Beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. From May to September, entry is $5 a person on weekends and holidays and $4 on weekdays. It fills up in summer, so come early.[1]

Elk Neck State Park, Maryland

Elk Neck – At the top of the Bay, on a peninsula between the Bay and the Elk River. The North East Beach Area has a swimming area, a kayak launch and picnic shelters.[2]

Kiptopeke State Park, Virginia

Kiptopeke – On the Eastern Shore, three miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It has an unguarded swimming beach, open in daylight, and a fishing pier.[3]

Before You Swim

Maryland tests beach water from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Skip a swim after storms.[4]

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beach on the Chesapeake Bay? We list state park beaches with official facts: Sandy Point, Elk Neck and Kiptopeke.

Does Sandy Point have lifeguards? Yes, on part of South Beach, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.

How much does Sandy Point cost? From May to September, $5 a person on weekends and holidays and $4 on weekdays.

References

See more spots on our map.