Rising from the waters of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Chesapeake Light is a striking offshore lighthouse built in 1965. This modern platform-style structure replaced earlier lightships that had guided mariners through one of America’s busiest waterways. Decommissioned and no longer active, the lighthouse now serves as a research platform for scientific studies.

Chesapeake Light is not open to the public, and visitors cannot climb or board the structure. It can best be viewed and photographed from charter boats, with golden hour and clear winter days offering the most dramatic shots.

Nearby attractions include Virginia Beach’s oceanfront boardwalk, First Landing State Park, and the Cape Henry Lighthouses, making it a worthy addition to any coastal Virginia itinerary.

Explore Nearby

• First Landing State Park — State Park in Virginia
• False Cape State Park — State Park in Virginia
• Colonial Parkway — Scenic Byway in Virginia
• Perquimans Crossing — Scenic Byway in North Carolina