VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Quarantine seems to have everyone going a little stir-crazy.
If you want to get out of the house, but aren't ready to brave the open beaches yet, look no further than the miles of Virginia Beach waterways nearby.
"[Boating] is a great way to get out, keep the social distancing [and] enjoy some time out in the fresh air," said Susan Neely, owner of VB Boat Rentals.
Susan Neely owns VB Boat Rentals off of N. Great Neck Road, which is a great local option to look into if you're itching to get out of the house while still keeping 6 feet of distance from others.
There are Duffy boats and fishing boats that can be rented for a few hours or the whole day as long as there are less than 10 people on board.
Jennifer Lynch said she has driven from Norfolk many times with her family to have a relaxing day on the water. "You can be out here in the fresh air, get some sunshine, [get to] see all the animals and wildlife, and you don't really have to do anything other than stay on the little navigational line and just enjoy the day," she said.
Neely is back open for business now after fear of the pandemic closed the marina where her boats are docked. With safety being a top priority, she's adding extra time between appointments for cleaning.
"We are taking the steps necessary to disinfect every part of the boat that somebody would be touching," she said. She also told News 3 that she has changed the catering options. Only paper plates and plastic utensils will be provided so there will be no overlap between customers.
Those on board also have the option of stopping by local restaurants along the water.
Neely said, "This way, they have their own table that they can pull up right to the door. They don’t have to wait for a table [and] restaurants will bring the food down to the boat and provide them a meal right on the boat."
Boating is open and available to anyone, even if you don't have a license. The team will do a run-through of water safety and etiquette, then the party can be on their way.
However, if boating isn't your thing, just a few steps away you can try paddleboarding or kayaking at Tula Paddle Sports. Owner Isa Cohen said, "We kind of have a nice activity where people can stay separated and paddle in seclusion."
Cohen said they're rotating out equipment more and offering more time between use of the boards, paddles and life jackets. It's a smooth trip down the water, proving beneficial for both the mind and body.
"There's a lot of little beaches along the way that you can stop in, and I think that's a really nice option to have if you're not up for joining the crowds at the main beaches," Cohen said.
