First Landing State Park (Cape Henry) in Virginia

Trip Overview

First Landing State Park is a very historically significant location. It is where the English settlers bound for Jamestown first touched land on North American soil. It is located at the southern point where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Henry. The park is surrounded on north and east by those two great bodies of water, to the south and west by lesser but very enjoyable Broad Bay and Long Creek.

To make it to the landing for these inland waters, enter the park at the 64th Street entrance off Atlantic Blvd. The landing is an active motor boat trailer spot. Come early to make for easier drop in. The waters along the parks shore are shallow so being bothered by the motor boats wasn't really a problem. The occasional wakes are easy to either surf or head through.

The first part of the voyage is through Broad Bay. Head out to the West North West and follow the shore line but dodging shoals. From the landing you will see the park shore line recede and homes appear. This is where Long Creek joins Broad Bay.

Long Creek is a "No Wake Zone" passage. On the park side you'll see marsh creatures and oyster bars and on the other side, plush homes of rich shore creatures. Of the marsh creature variety, we spotted blue heron, osprey, great white heron, black nocturnal heron, crabs and oysters. It was peaceful in Long Creek. Follow the creek to day marker "1A", this is the end of the park shore line. The creek continues to the west to rejoin Broad Bay further up from here.

We chose not to circumnavigate the island to avoid some of the motor boat traffic on the Broad Bay side. The section of Broad Bay between landing and Long Creek was off the channel enough to keep the motor boats away.

With the waters tidal, there was some concern about current. We didn�t notice much of from a rising tide coming in from the Chesapeake at Lynnhaven Inlet.

Accommodations:

Virginia Beach - enough said!

Fees:

Park launch & Parking: $5

Directions:

To make it to the landing for these inland waters, enter the park at the 64th Street entrance off Atlantic Blvd.