New Point Comfort Lighthouse
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Location
Mathews County, Virginia
Setting
At the entrance to Mobjack Bay
Best land-based view
New Point Comfort Preserve
Access
View from shore; tours must be arranged in advance
At the southern tip of Mathews County, Virginia, New Point Comfort Lighthouse stands on a small island offshore, where the Chesapeake Bay meets Mobjack Bay. It is not a walk-up lighthouse: visitors can see it from the mainland observation walkway, or arrange a guided boat or kayak tour to get closer. The tower is not open for interior visits, according to the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center; check with the center or your tour provider before making plans. [1]
The lighthouse was completed in 1805 to help guide vessels around the shoals near Mobjack Bay. Its sandstone tower has stood through changing shorelines and shifting currents, which eventually separated it from the mainland. Today, the adjacent preserve offers a practical way to take in the view, the salt marsh and the area’s birdlife together. [2][3]
Plan a trip to New Point Comfort Lighthouse
Why visit New Point Comfort Lighthouse?
The appeal is the combination of maritime history and a coastal landscape that is still changing. From shore, the lighthouse appears across the water rather than at the end of a path; the preserve’s elevated boardwalk and observation deck make that view accessible without a boat. The site is also a good stop for a quiet walk or birdwatching, with tidal marsh, maritime forest and sandy beach habitats in the surrounding preserve. [4]
For a closer look, the county visitor center lists boat and kayak tours, which must be scheduled in advance. Tours and access arrangements can change, so confirm availability, meeting details and current restrictions before traveling. [5]
Start here
Begin at the New Point Comfort Preserve observation walkway, at the end of Route 600 near Bavon. The accessible boardwalk crosses salt marsh to an observation deck with views toward the lighthouse and Mobjack Bay. The Nature Conservancy lists the preserve as open year-round from dawn to dusk; it has no restrooms, and dogs are not allowed. Confirm current access information before setting out. [6]
If you want to see the lighthouse from closer range, contact the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center about guided boat or kayak tours. The center says tours must be arranged in advance and that the lighthouse interior is not open to visitors. [7]
What to see and do
Place New Point Comfort in the wider story of lighthouse building and navigation along Virginia’s coast.
Use the county as a base for exploring its shoreline, small communities and maritime heritage.
The lighthouse overlooks a meeting point of the Bay and Mobjack Bay, with views shaped by marsh, open water and a shifting coast.
Walk the preserve’s marsh and roadside edges, where the Nature Conservancy notes that birding is especially good during spring and fall migration.
History and significance
New Point Comfort has served as a navigational reference since the 17th century. Congress appropriated funds for a lighthouse in 1801, and Mathews County resident Elzy Burroughs built the sandstone tower, completed in 1805. Its position near shoals at the entrance to Mobjack Bay made it a useful marker for vessels navigating the Chesapeake. [8]
The lighthouse remained in service until 1963, when a newer light was built offshore to mark the shoals. Erosion and changing currents gradually cut the original tower off from the mainland, leaving it on a small island. The Coast Guard transferred the historic structure to Mathews County for preservation. It is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. [9]
Planning a visit
- **Viewing from land:** The Nature Conservancy’s New Point Comfort Preserve has an accessible boardwalk and observation deck with a view of the lighthouse. The preserve is listed as open daily, year-round, from dawn to dusk; verify current conditions before visiting. [10]
- **Facilities and pets:** The preserve has no restrooms, and dogs are not allowed. [11]
- **Tours:** Boat and kayak tours may offer a closer view, but they must be scheduled in advance. Check with the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center or a local outfitter for current availability and details. The lighthouse itself is not open for interior visits. [12]
- **Getting there:** The preserve is in Mathews County near Bavon, at the end of Route 600. Check the preserve’s directions and current access information before driving. [13]
Nearby attractions
Mathews County
Explore the county’s coastal communities and local heritage.
Deltaville
A nearby Chesapeake Bay community to pair with a coastal drive through the Middle Peninsula.
Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay
Find more places to experience the Bay’s shoreline, waterways and maritime character.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Visit Mathews, Mathews County Visitor & Information Center. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Visit Mathews, Mathews County Visitor & Information Center. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Visit Mathews, Mathews County Visitor & Information Center. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort Lighthouse, Visit Mathews, Mathews County Visitor & Information Center. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ New Point Comfort, The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.