Cape Charles Lighthouse
Virginia
Cape Charles Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Virginia, first lit in 1828. The tower stands 180 feet tall. It is a Virginia Historic Landmark. The nearest other lighthouse is Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse, 11 mi away. It is best seen from the water or from shore.
Cape Charles Lighthouse at a glance
Visiting
Seen by boat or from shore
First lit
1828
Tower height
180 ft
Light 190 ft above water
Heritage status
Virginia Historic Landmark
National Register of Historic Places
About Cape Charles Lighthouse
Cape Charles Lighthouse is an octagonal cast iron skeleton tower lighthouse at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on Smith Island which was officially removed from service in 2019. It is the tallest lighthouse in Virginia and the second tallest in the United States.
Cape Charles Lighthouse sits at 37.1229, -75.9065 in Virginia. The closest other lighthouses are Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse (11 mi), Cherrystone Bar Lighthouse (12 mi) and Chesapeake Lighthouse (18 mi). Virginia has 34 lighthouses in all.
Visiting Cape Charles Lighthouse
Cape Charles Lighthouse stands offshore or on an island without regular public access. Most people see it from shore or from a boat, and some local cruises pass close by.
Tours and Tickets Near Cape Charles Lighthouse
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Lighthouses near Cape Charles Lighthouse
All lighthouses in Virginia →
Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse
11 mi away
Cherrystone Bar Lighthouse
12 mi away
Chesapeake Lighthouse
18 mi away
Thimble Shoal Lighthouse
20 mi away
York Spit Lighthouse
20 mi away
Back River Lighthouse
20 mi away
Also close to Cape Charles Lighthouse: Hog Island Lighthouse 22 mi · Old Point Comfort Lighthouse 24 mi · New Point Comfort Lighthouse 24 mi · Wolf Trap Lighthouse 24 mi · Tue Marshes Lighthouse 28 mi · Craney Island Lighthouse 29 mi · Lambert Point Lighthouse 29 mi · Newport News Middle Ground Lighthouse 29 mi
Questions about Cape Charles Lighthouse
Where is Cape Charles Lighthouse?
Cape Charles Lighthouse is in Virginia, at 37.1229, -75.9065. The nearest other lighthouse is Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse, 11 mi away.
Can you visit Cape Charles Lighthouse?
Not on foot. Cape Charles Lighthouse stands offshore or on an island without regular public access, so most people see it from the water or from shore.
Can you climb Cape Charles Lighthouse?
No. The tower at Cape Charles Lighthouse is not open for climbing.
When was Cape Charles Lighthouse built?
Cape Charles Lighthouse was first lit in 1828.
How tall is Cape Charles Lighthouse?
The tower is 180 feet (55 m) tall, and its light sits 190 feet above the water.
What lighthouses are near Cape Charles Lighthouse?
The closest are Old Plantation Flats Lighthouse (11 mi), Cherrystone Bar Lighthouse (12 mi) and Chesapeake Lighthouse (18 mi).
Sources: history and visiting details from the Wikipedia article on Cape Charles Lighthouse (CC BY-SA 4.0); facts and location from Wikidata. Photo credits are listed under each photo and on the photo credits page.