Big Island

Big Island: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this river spot: Water flowing well · Low flow / trickle · Dry, no water · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Big Island

Season: September to February; boat services pause in floods.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

How to reach Big Island — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: 36.59252, -75.89088. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Big Island

• False Cape State Park · sanctuary · Virginia Beach · ~1 km · Must-see
• Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge · sanctuary · Virginia Beach · ~12 km · Must-see
• Military Aviation Museum · museum · Virginia Beach · ~20 km · Must-see
• Sandbridge Beach · beach · Virginia Beach · ~28 km · Must-see
• Currituck Beach Lighthouse · beach · Currituck · ~31 km · Must-see
• Northwest River State Natural Area Preserve · sanctuary · Chesapeake · ~33 km · Must-see
• Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Centers · sanctuary · Virginia Beach · ~33 km · Must-see
• Currituck Sound · lake · Currituck · ~35 km · Must-see
• De Witt Cottage · fort · Virginia Beach · ~36 km · Must-see
• North River Gameland · sanctuary · Currituck · ~36 km · Must-see
• Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art · museum · Virginia Beach · ~37 km · Must-see
• The Old Coast Guard Station · museum · Virginia Beach · ~37 km · Must-see
• Norwegian Lady · attraction · Virginia Beach · ~38 km · Must-see
• WJLZ-FM (Virginia Beach) · beach · Virginia Beach · ~41 km · Must-see
• Mount Trashmore Park · park · Virginia Beach · ~42 km · Must-see
• Chesapeake Arboretum · sanctuary · Chesapeake · ~44 km · Must-see
• First Landing State Park · sanctuary · Virginia Beach · ~46 km · Must-see
• First Landing Chapel · church · Virginia Beach · ~48 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Big Island

Other rivers, islands & mangroves near Big Island

• Craney Island · river spot · Portsmouth · ~67 km · Must-see
• Hog Island · river spot · Northampton · ~117 km · Must-see
• Jamestown Island · river spot · James City · ~129 km · Must-see
• Little Ball Island · river spot · Virginia Beach · ~3 km
• Little Cedar Island · river spot · Virginia Beach · ~4 km
• Big Ball Island · river spot · Virginia Beach · ~4 km
• Horse Island · river spot · Virginia Beach · ~4 km
• Buckle Island · river spot · Virginia Beach · ~5 km
• Deal Island · river spot · Currituck · ~7 km
• Man Island · river spot · Currituck · ~7 km

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Virginia

Frequently asked