Just across from the southern tip of the boardwalk is a small marina community know as the “Rudee Inlet” which is overflowing with activity and things to see. The Marina District is only a short, five-minute walk across Pacific Avenue from Fifth Street at the beach, is the place to go for boating and fishing charters, water activities and excellent seafood restaurants. To truly experience Rudee Inlet, just stroll around the docks and watch the fishing boats and sport boats coming and going. You will drool over the irresistible aromas of fresh seafood being prepared at any of the inlet’s famous waterfront restaurants. Take a ride with the dolphins or soar with the seagulls on one of the many water sports adventures attractions. And finally, toast to family and friends as the sun sets on another perfect day in resort city of Virginia Beach.
Now you can experience all Rudee Inlet has to offer without stepping foot in the car or on the gas. Catch the Wave—the Hampton Roads Transit Shuttle that encircles Rudee Inlet via Route 34, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
There’s also a great new way to get from the Rudee Inlet to the Oceanfront via the Rudee Inlet Connector Walk. This 10-foot-wide concrete walkway connects Winston Salem Avenue, under the Rudee Inlet Bridge, to the 4th Street parking lot. The walkway creates a direct link from the oceanfront to the Marina District for the 1st time for pedestrians and cyclists to get back and forth with ease and it’s well lit to ensure everyone’s safety.
In 2014 Virginia Beach introduced a brand new Rudee Inlet water taxi! The taxi takes guests from the inlet through Lake Rudee to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. In the future, the service will be expanded to include stops in shopping areas that are coming to “Rudee Inlet” In fact the Marina District will one day have it’s very own “Shopping District”. The project will include a dock for the water taxi as well as a park specially created so that those anticipating the taxi may relax as they wait for the adventure to begin.
Rudee Inlet is the Fishing Headquarters!
Rudee Inlet or the “Marina District” is no doubt the headquarters in the area for offshore and inshore fishing charters, Rudee Inlet has all you need to plan the ultimate fishing experience. Choose from a variety of half-, full-day or even night-time trips with experienced captains who know the best fishing spots in the Atlantic and surrounding waterways. Many charters are air conditioned, and their staff will provide you with all the tackle and gear you’ll need to reel in some prize winners or at least some worthy of your picture albums. So if fishing is not your thing, everyone enjoys just sitting back and relaxing as the head boats return to the dock with the catch of the day. Just imagine the bounty of freshly caught seafood that could end up on your plate for dinner over at Rockafeller’s.