Lift off from the Eastern Shore and fly low over the Chesapeake Bay to photograph shifting sandbars, marsh, and a rare water landing on a remote island. This private Coastal Seaplanes flight is a short, high-impact way to see Virginia's barrier islands up close.
Lift off from the Eastern Shore and fly low over the Chesapeake Bay to photograph shifting sandbars, marsh, and a rare water landing on a remote island. This private Coastal Seaplanes flight is a short, high-impact way to see Virginia's barrier islands up close.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Coastal Seaplanes · Irvington, Virginia
easy.
1–1.5 hours.
No special fitness required—able to sit for the duration and board a floatplane is sufficient.
The flight is private for up to three guests at one flat rate—no shared seating.
The itinerary lists departure from Cape Charles with operations based in the Irvington, Virginia area.
The typical experience lasts roughly 70 minutes, including the aerial tour and water landing.
Yes—on calm days the pilot performs a water landing beside a remote barrier island as part of the tour.
Coastal Seaplanes requires at least 24 hours notice prior to your reservation for cancellations.
Yes—scheduling and water landings depend on wind, visibility, and sea state; operators may reschedule for safety.
These barrier islands are part of a dynamic coastal system long shaped by storms and tidal action, central to regional fishing and shorebird habitat.
Seeing the islands from the air highlights erosional processes and the value of protecting marsh and dune systems; guests are encouraged to respect remote-island regulations.
Coastal Seaplanes, based in Yorktown, Virginia, operates scenic seaplane flights showcasing the coastal landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach coastline. Departing from Yorktown and Chisman Creek, the company offers a range of aerial experiences that highlight local landmarks and natural scenery. Popular offerings include the Virginia Beach Tour, a 60-minute flight that features views of Navy ships, the New Cape Henry Lighthouse, and the Virginia Beach shoreline; the Chesapeake Bay Tour, which soars over the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean with pilot-guided highlights of landmarks and wildlife; and the Historic Triangle Tour, a 30-minute scenic flight providing aerial perspectives of Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. Shorter introductions to seaplane flight are available with Seaplane Saturday!, a 10-minute tour over the York River and surrounding historic landscapes. The Lighthouse Tour departs from Chisman Creek and flies across marshlands to the New Point Comfort Lighthouse in a focused 20-minute outing. Special experiences include the Fathers Day Scenic Flight & Distillery Experience, a seaplane trip to Cape Charles that combines marshland and barrier island views with a guided tasting at Cape Charles Distillery and time exploring the waterfront. Guests are encouraged to bring cameras to capture seascapes, lighthouses, and wildlife from above; pilots point out noteworthy features and local history during many narrated segments for an unforgettable perspective today.
Book with Coastal Seaplanes