My family and wife's family are going to Sandbridge, VA this year at the end of August instead of our traditional week at OCNJ and I was wondering if anyone was from there?

We used to go to Croatan Beach, VA with my own family before I got married and I loved it and look forward to this, so I'm familiar with the area and what's there. Looks like Sandbridge is 10-12 miles south of Croatan?

How will the fishing be at that time of year? (August 28 - September 4). I remember catching a lot of drum and spot and croaker at Croatan but we were always there much earlier in the summer then.

Looking to do a good amount of surf/pier fishing and maybe some freshwater or back bay fishing too, not really planning on going out in any boats.

Any good restaurants you could recommend as well?

How is the beach there? Hopefully not all eroded away? I heard VA beaches got hit bad in the past 5 years or so.

Thanks!

Check out the Military Aviation Museum near there.

They have a nice collection of WWI and WWII planes.

https://militaryaviationmuseum.org/

There is a little grocery store as you come into Sandbridge that used to have awesome home made donuts. We always go to Pungo Pizza for pizza and homemade pies and cakes and Primo for Italian food.

Ok, it’s not in Sand bridge but it’s also not too far away. If it’s not too far of a drive for you I HIGHLY recommend dining at Steinhilber’s. It’s one of my favorites in Virginia Beach.

They’ve been making incredible food for 80 years.

Other notable restaurants:

Bubbas
Aldo’s
Catch 31
Mahi Mah’s
Waterman’s surf side grill
Murphy’s Irish pub is a fun bar for drinks

Croatian beach was my surf spot. It’s near the Virginia Aquarium & Marine science center (which is also a lot of fun) and before you get to Rudee Inlet. It’s gonna be crowded this time of year but if there is any surf you can have a lot of fun at Croatian beach. Just don’t drift into the military zone or you could get a visit from a police boat and a ticket. The parking lot is huge and they have bathrooms and showers.

First street is a fun spot to visit. If there are any waves there will be surfers you can watch and the boardwalk is always fun too.

You will be pretty close to a battleship. If you are up for a little drive I HIGHLY recommend driving to Norfolk to see USS Wisconsin BB-64. My uncle and grandfather served on the Wisconsin.

Will be there in late July/early Aug. We go there one a year either in the condos there or we get a house.

Can't offer food suggestions as we normally cook at the house/condo, but wanted to say the beaches were fine the last time we went 2 years ago. My advice is buy your groceries/items before heading to the house/condo. The little store Vanquish mentions is pretty limited and pricey.

Bumping this post to see if there is anyone who knows what the fishing situation (surf, pier and back bay) will be for August 28 - September 4?

Hopefully something is biting, I don't really care what, I just love being on the beach when the sun is coming up and a surf rod in my hands.

Blue Pete's in Pungo was our go to while we were there for a week in June. If you have the inkling to do a steamer pot while you are there, right above the ice cream shop on Sandpiper Rd. is a place named Simply Steamed.
We had a house rental, so we had a kitchen (2 of them actually!) but we ended up trying to eat out a fair amount. The wait times were well over an hour everywhere, as I am sure you have heard. So we did a few Blue Pete's take out runs.

This place in in the Red Mill shopping area 15 minutes from Sandbridge. Tiny, no reservations and not kid friendly but really worth it if it fits your situation.

Blue

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Bumping this post to see if there is anyone who knows what the fishing situation (surf, pier and back bay) will be for August 28 - September 4?

Hopefully something is biting, I don't really care what, I just love being on the beach when the sun is coming up and a surf rod in my hands.

You can try calling the Sandbridge Pier. Have fun and God Bless !!!

https://mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/sandbridgeLIFP.shtm

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:

You can try calling the Sandbridge Pier. Have fun and God Bless !!!

https://mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/sandbridgeLIFP.shtm

That's on my list for sure, thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by PghPI:

The wait times were well over an hour everywhere, as I am sure you have heard.

No, we were not aware but thank you for the heads up. We have two houses and 4 families now going and were going to mostly stay at the houses to eat as with lots of younger kids it's logistically tough but we had planned a few individual family outings to area restaurants and this is good intel to have. thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:


Croatian beach was my surf spot. It’s near the Virginia Aquarium & Marine science center (which is also a lot of fun) and before you get to Rudee Inlet.

I was fishing at Rudee Inlet on the Croatan Beach side back in 2014 or 2015 when we had been going there to Croatan Beach and all of a sudden I see this super-squirrel speedboat go by loaded up with Navy SEAL looking guys, as soon as they cleared the mouth of the inlet, it took off like a rocket. I swear it was like a Stealth fighter jet version of a speedboat, all black and dark gray and futuristic/high tech looking. The guys were loaded for bear too

Try Margie and Ray's 1240 Sandbridge Rd, it will be on the left as your head to Sandbridge.