Wildlife Abounds on a Virginia Beach Vacation

Vacationing in Virginia Beach, Virginia offers wildlife lovers a unique opportunity to see a number of animals they likely won’t see at home. The Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay offer the ideal environment for visitors to encounter waterfowl, marine life and wild animals at the beach and some of the city’s parks. When on Virginia Beach vacations, pack binoculars, hiking boots and a bathing suit for some up-close – but not too close – encounters.

Marine Life
A day at the beach in the spring through fall months yields a chance to see a number of sea creatures that call Virginia Beach home.
-Sandfiddler crabs are small, tan crabs that run sideways across the sand. They usually come out at dawn and dusk, especially when there are few people on the beach. They dig small holes and bury themselves when they sense danger or activity.
-Porpoises swim along the coastline in the morning and often throughout the day. Some visitors mistake their black fins for sharks, but the friendly creatures are more closely related to dolphins and whales. Porpoises mostly dine on squid and small fish, but never people. They tend to romp in small groups and hover beyond the ocean breakers.
-Jellyfish congregate in the water close to the shoreline in ankle- to waist-deep water. They often float out into deep water, as well. Swimmers should be alert for jellyfish with pink for white centers. These have long tentacles that will deliver a sharp sting to passersby.
-Mole crabs, often called sand fleas, look similar in shape to regular fleas, but they are about one to two inches long, very round about the middle and have grey or tan shells. They burrow in the wet sand along the waterline. Sand fleas are a great source of entertainment for children and tickle the hands when held. They do not bite or sting.

Boat Excursions
Those on pleasure craft and charters boats can see a variety of water mammals on a Virginia Beach vacation. There are several local charter boats that specialize in whale watching in the late fall through early spring, and dolphin trips from spring through early fall. Humpback and fin whales are the most common sightings as they migrate to the Caribbean. They like to meander near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay as well as swim along the Atlantic Coast. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are plentiful along the coastline and frolic in groups, called pods. They often jump out of the water beyond the breakers, much to the surprise and delight of those sitting on the beach. They can be seen from the shore, but those with binoculars in hand are in for a show.

Trails
Visiting the parks on a Virginia Beach vacation will yield some wildlife most people never see. Back Bay Wildlife Refuge is mostly marshland, since it lies on the coastline. It has a variety of waterfowl and the occasional wild pony. Ducks, snow geese, plovers, peregrine falcons and the American bald eagle call this park home. To the south is False Cape State Park. Visitors can enter by tram, by bike, by foot or by boat. Turtles, wild horses and many ducks and geese nest and rest here. On the North End of Virginia Beach is First Landing State Park. With nearly 20 miles of walking and biking trails, there are many opportunities to see birds and wildlife. These parks are a birder’s paradise, so visitors should come prepared with comfortable shoes and binoculars.

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about virginia beach hotel packages, visit http://www.virginiabeachresort.com/.