For those who long to lace up their running shoes, paddle through the ocean's waves or sleep under the stars, nature's gifts await in Virginia Beach. Although Virginia Beach has long beckoned sunbathers and sandcastle-builders, the resort city is also a wonderland for sports enthusiasts and those desiring more physical adventures, something that has consistently made the coastal city one of America's fittest. From watersports and hiking to zip-lining and skydiving, Virginia Beach provides that heart-thumping rush sports enthusiasts crave.

STATE PARKS

First Landing State Park, a 2,888-acre park that fronts the Chesapeake Bay, features 1.25 miles of beachfront and more than 19 miles of interpretive trails through protected salt marsh habitat, freshwater ponds, beach, dunes, forest, tidal marsh and cypress swamp. A registered Natural Landmark, First Landing is the most visited state park in Virginia and contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 9,108-acre refuge made up of barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forests, ponds and ocean beaches. Sharing a border is the 4,321-acre False Cape State Park, which features six miles of unspoiled beaches in an ocean-to-freshwater bay habitat, as well as dunes, woodland, farm fields, salt marsh, maritime forest and wooded swamps. Together, the parks offer numerous hiking and biking trails. The extensive list of resident wildlife includes more than 300 species of nesting and migratory songbirds, shorebirds and ducks (inclusive of a returning snow geese population of 10,000), otters, white-tailed deer, red fox, loggerhead turtles, American bald eagles, feral pigs, wild horses and a number of interesting reptiles. From April through October, visitors may travel into the heart of the parks on a tram and explore by foot from there.

KAYAKING WITH DOLPHINS

Bottlenose dolphins feast in the rich waters of the estuarial Chesapeake Bay year-round and, from May through October, travelers can get up close and personal with the playful marine mammals during guided kayaking excursions. Guides will lead visitors to where the bay's waters meet the Atlantic Ocean, the dolphins' favorite spot for a frolic between feeding grounds, for an incredible photo opportunity and unforgettable experience.

WATER SPORTS

Swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, windsurfing, hydro-boarding, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, sailing and boating are all available in the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, as well as a variety of other waterways, including the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Lynnhaven River. Recreational equipment can be rented from various companies near the beaches, while several outfitters also offer surfing camps for those wanting to learn to “hang 10” in a safe environment. For a different view of the water, try your skills at stand-up paddle-boarding, or SUP.

HORSEBACK RIDING

October through May is a prime travel time for equine enthusiasts visiting Virginia Beach. During the fall and winter months, when most tourists steer clear of the beach, riders can take to the sand on and ride down the scenic shorelines through the Oceanfront resort area and beyond. Beyond the beach, experienced equestrians and first-time riders can explore nature throughout the city during guided trail rides all year long.

CAMPING

Virginia Beach is home to five campgrounds containing more than 1,800 campsites and nearly 70 rustic cabins, with amenities including restrooms/showers, guest laundry, bicycles, playgrounds, pools and boat ramps.

First Landing State Park offers tent, RV and cabin camping accommodations. The park has campsites both with and without water and electrical hookups and come equipped with a picnic table and fire-grill. All tent and RV sites are located just steps from the Chesapeake Bay, offering campers close water access.

False Cape State Park features 12 primitive camping sites and an extensive environmental education program. There are no cabins, but camp sites are open year-round and are located in four main areas – Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean.

Holiday Trav-L-Park, located just a few miles from the Virginia Beach oceanfront, offers campers 830 campsites for motorhomes, trailers and tents, as well as 44 cabins dispersed throughout 100 wooded acres. The campground features four playgrounds, a miniature golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and other fun activities to keep campers entertained.

A few other campgrounds in Virginia Beach include Virginia Beach KOA, North Landing Beach Campground and North Bay Shore Campground.

FISHING

Known as the “Striped Bass Capital of the World,” Virginia Beach and its neighboring waters are home to a multitude of freshwater, brackish and saltwater fishing opportunities. With the food-rich Chesapeake Bay adjoining the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach, a long list of fish, including croaker, spot, flounder, striped bass, tautog, sea bass, trout, bluefish, skipjack, cobia, mahi-mahi, Spanish and king mackerel, puppy and red drum, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, white and blue marlin, amberjack and wahoo are abundant at various times of the year. Tow your boat and choose from several different ramp locations, or opt for a full or half-day private charter. Or, cast a line from one of the four fishing piers. Each January, Virginia Beach holds the annual Waterman's Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shoot-out, which is now the largest rockfish tournament in the country.

BIRD-WATCHING

The Seashore-to-Cypress Loop is part of the Coastal Phase of the statewide Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. This loop traverses Virginia Beach and extends into the neighboring city of Norfolk. It contains 12 viewing sites teeming with flocks of migrant shorebirds, songbirds and raptors, winter wetlands filled with waterfowl, whales swimming offshore and summer swarms of dolphins, butterflies and dragonflies. Popular stops include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, First Landing State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park and the Virginia Aquarium.