Friday, May 8, 2026 2:00 PM by Chesapeake Convention & Visitors Bureau
Every year, thousands of boaters travel the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a legendary route stretching along the East Coast through rivers, canals, sounds, and protected waterways. Running directly through Chesapeake, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal portion of the waterway offers boaters a peaceful stop filled with marinas, waterfront dining, local charm, and easy access to the city’s natural beauty. For many travelers, Chesapeake becomes more than just a waypoint. It becomes a place to slow down for a while.
Each spring, Chesapeake welcomes Great Loop travelers passing through on one of North America’s most iconic boating journeys. Spanning nearly 6,000 miles around the eastern United States and Canada, the Great Loop brings hundreds of boats through Chesapeake each year as mariners navigate the city’s historic waterways and locks along their route.
One of the best places to experience this seasonal tradition is around Great Bridge. At Great Bridge Lock Park and nearby Battlefield Park South, visitors can watch boats pass through the locks while enjoying the slower rhythm of life along the canal. Cyclists move along the trail, drawbridges rise for passing vessels, and boaters wave from the water as they continue their journey in either direction. It is a uniquely Chesapeake experience that feels both peaceful and connected to something much larger.
Many boaters stop at local marinas including Atlantic Yacht Basin, Centerville Waterway Marina, and Top Rack Marina to relax, refuel, and explore the area. Whether visiting for a few hours or staying for several days, GoChesapeake helps travelers experience the best of the region with personalized recommendations, local insight, and concierge-style services tailored to life on the water.
From waterfront dining and outdoor excursions to golf outings, spa treatments, and curated local experiences, visitors can easily connect with everything Chesapeake has to offer while enjoying the relaxed pace that makes the city such a memorable stop along the waterway.
That slower rhythm is part of what makes Chesapeake special to so many travelers on the water. It is not crowded or hurried. The waterways here invite visitors to pause, breathe, and experience a side of coastal Virginia shaped by nature, history, and life along the canal.
Whether you arrive by boat or by land, Chesapeake’s waterways offer a place to reconnect with the journey and discover why so many travelers return year after year.
As the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), our mission is to promote and market Chesapeake, VA as a premier visitor and convention meeting destination for the purpose of positively affecting the city's economy.
