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Climb a historic lighthouse, practice knot-tying, build signal flags, and join a treasure hunt at Pirate Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse. Timed sessions and base access rules make advance planning essential—this is a short, active lesson in coastal seamanship for families.
Climb a historic lighthouse, practice knot-tying, build signal flags, and join a treasure hunt at Pirate Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse. Timed sessions and base access rules make advance planning essential—this is a short, active lesson in coastal seamanship for families.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Preservation Virginia · Virginia Beach, Virginia
At the tip where the Chesapeake Bay opens to the Atlantic, Cape Henry Lighthouse rises above the wind-swept spit at Fort Story in Virginia Beach. Pirate Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse converts this landmark into a hands-on maritime fair: visitors climb the tower, learn knot-tying and rope-making, build signal flags, practice scrimshaw, and hunt for treasure during lively 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. sessions. The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is part of the nation’s early public works history; stepping up its narrow stair puts you level with gulls, breakers, and low dunes shot through with beach grass. The site’s architecture and coastal geology—coarse sand, windswept grasses, and exposed shoreline—make each view a lesson in how weather and wave energy shape Virginia’s beach front. Program stations are organized for families: a rope table teaches line splicing and practical lashings; a knot-tying bench covers bowline, clove hitch, and reef knot; a flag workshop explains simple semaphore and signal patterns; and a scrimshaw demo introduces carving and historic maritime crafts. The climactic treasure hunt threads these skills together, turning small achievements into a cooperative, low-stakes adventure. This program runs on Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, which means security procedures govern every visit. All guests 18 and over without a military or DoW base pass must complete SECNAV Form 5512 and pass a background check between five and thirty days before their timed ticket. Expect to park at the base gate, present your reservation, and ride the shuttle to the lighthouse; drivers must also show vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Preservation Virginia handles reservations and access questions—call 757-422-9421 or email [email protected]. Staff monitor weather and internal temperatures; in summer the tower may close if the internal heat index approaches 115°F, and climbs stop during lightning or storm warnings. All climbers must meet a 42-inch minimum height; adults cannot carry children on the stair. Service animals are allowed by ADA but the final ladder is not accessible. Bring sun protection and water; wear stable shoes suitable for worn metal stairs and tight turns. Pirate Day at Cape Henry is not a theme-park spin on history but a short, focused chance to touch the tools, language, and labor of coastal seafaring while standing in a place that helped shape early federal engineering. For families, the mix of active skill stations and open-air climbing compresses a day of maritime education into ninety minutes. Whether you come for the lighthouse silhouette at dusk, the bracing ocean air, or to teach a child how to tie a bowline, the event is a compact, memorable way to meet Virginia Beach’s coastal history face-to-face. Advance reservations are strongly recommended to secure your spot and ensure timely base access approval today.
moderate.
1.5 hours.
Participants should be comfortable climbing narrow, sometimes steep metal stairs and turning in confined spaces; suitable for active kids meeting the 42" minimum.
Yes. All visitors 18+ without an authorized base pass must submit SECNAV Form 5512 and pass a background check between five and thirty days before their timed ticket.
Per JEBFS policy, foreign nationals who do not hold US Department of War security passes are not allowed on base and therefore cannot visit the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Event tours take place at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; timed tickets are required and shuttles operate according to the schedule.
There is a minimum height requirement of 42 inches for tower climbers; adults are not permitted to carry children on the climb.
The tower closes during thunderstorms, lightning, or when the internal heat index reaches unsafe levels—staff will cancel or reschedule climbs as needed.
Visitors without base credentials must park at the gate and ride the shuttle to the lighthouse; drivers must present their timed ticket, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse was one of the nation’s earliest public works projects and helped establish coastal navigation in the early republic.
Because the site sits on a military base and sensitive shoreline, stay on designated paths, pack out waste, and avoid disturbing dune vegetation.
Preservation Virginia is a Richmond, Virginia-based organization that operates and interprets historic sites and educational programs across the state. The organization presents guided tours, hands-on workshops, documentary-style tours, and virtual programs that highlight Virginia’s colonial, revolutionary, and 19th-century history. Preservation Virginia’s portfolio of sites and programs includes Bacon’s Castle (built in 1665 and recognized as North America’s oldest brick home), the historic landing site at Cape Henry Lighthouse, Smith’s Fort with surviving earthworks and an 18th-century manor house, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown—the remaining house of the famed orator—and the John Marshall House in Richmond. Programming spans in-person tours and remote learning: the John Marshall House offers a 45-minute tour; the Courtmaker Documentary Tour of the Marshall House provides an intimate look at family artifacts; the Beginners Genealogy Research Workshop at Bacon’s Castle is taught by genealogist Sarah Carson; and multiple virtual programs bring lighthouse history and Revolutionary War sea battles to students. Educational offerings also include the Augustus Hodges virtual program, focused on Willis Hodges—Cape Henry Lighthouse’s first African American keeper and abolitionist—and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper kids program. Preservation Virginia’s events and tours emphasize primary sources, artifacts, architecture, and site-specific stories to connect visitors with Virginia’s past. All descriptions and program leaders are provided in third-person; visitors should consult Preservation Virginia’s official listings for booking and availability.
Book with Preservation Virginia