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Take to the skies over Chesapeake Bay with the Lighthouse Tour, a 20-minute seaplane flight from Yorktown, Virginia. Circling the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse, this adventure blends stunning natural landscapes with maritime history, perfect for families and photography lovers alike.
Take to the skies over Chesapeake Bay with the Lighthouse Tour, a 20-minute seaplane flight from Yorktown, Virginia. Circling the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse, this adventure blends stunning natural landscapes with maritime history, perfect for families and photography lovers alike.
Book with Coastal Seaplanes
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Coastal Seaplanes · Yorktown, Virginia
The Chesapeake Bay, a vast estuarine system on the East Coast of the United States, offers not only rich ecological diversity but also a unique perspective on American maritime history. From Yorktown, Virginia, embark on the Lighthouse Tour—a 20-minute seaplane flight that gives adventurers a rare chance to glide above the stunning coastal waters and marshlands of this iconic bay. Departing from the serene Chisman Creek, this aerial journey combines natural beauty, historical insight, and the thrill of flight into one concise and accessible tour.
This intimate flight caps at just three passengers, allowing for a personalized experience as you take off and ascend over lush wetlands thriving with reeds and migratory birds. The highlight of the tour is the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse, an impressive beacon that has guided sailors since its 1805 construction. Perched on a small shoal in the bay’s shallow waters, this lighthouse stands as a relic of early American coastal navigation and resilience, surviving centuries of storms and shoreline changes.
The flight path circles the lighthouse at low altitude, offering ample time for capturing remarkable photography of the structure’s weathered brick facade contrasting against the deep blues and greens of the bay. Along the way, witness expansive mudflats and tidal creeks flanking the marshes that are vital habitats for native flora and fauna. The tour allows travelers to appreciate the ecological richness of the Chesapeake Bay while linking it to human history and engineering.
Returning smoothly to Chisman Creek, the seaplane touches down in peaceful waters, ensuring a safe and enjoyable landing. This tour is ideal for families, history buffs, photographers, and anyone eager to experience a new vantage point over Virginia’s coastal environment.
Operated from 821 Railway Road in Yorktown, Coastal Seaplanes provides expert pilots who combine a passion for flying with deep knowledge of the local waterways. The company plays a unique role in connecting visitors with this lesser-seen perspective of the bay, making it a standout aerial adventure in the wider region.
Visitors are recommended to bring a camera, wear comfortable clothing, and prepare for a quick yet immersive immersion into the Chesapeake Bay’s natural and historical wonders. Booking requires a minimum of two guests, but private flights are available to guarantee departure.
Exploring the Chesapeake Bay from above on the Lighthouse Tour offers a fresh canvas, whether you’re capturing dawn light on water grasses or marveling at a centuries-old lighthouse standing sentinel in an ever-changing estuary. This short flight captures the essence of outdoor adventure alongside cultural heritage in a way few tours can match.
easy.
20 minutes.
No special fitness required; accessible for all ages and ability levels
The tour lasts approximately 20 minutes from takeoff to landing.
Flights take off and land at Chisman Creek in Yorktown, Virginia.
There is no minimum age; the flight is suitable for all ages.
The seaplane accommodates up to three passengers per flight.
If fewer than two guests book, the operator will contact you to reschedule or cancel. Private flights are available for guaranteed departure.
Bring a camera, wear comfortable clothing, and be ready for an unforgettable aerial experience.
New Point Comfort Lighthouse was first lit in 1805 and is one of the earliest lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay area is part of ongoing restoration efforts to protect water quality and native habitats, emphasizing responsible tourism.
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