The Phoebus Channel is tucked behind Old Point Comfort in a cove that was formed when the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was commissioned many years ago. The Phoebus area is an excellent spot to stop for the evening, or to base out of, if you plan on making the offshore hop around Cape Hatteras or into the Atlantic, as it cuts 10 miles off the trip from Norfolk

The image above is a view from the south-southeast looking west-northwest over the opening to the Phoebus Channel. To the left (west) is the northern tunnel exit for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, while Old Point Comfort is visible to the right (east). Hampton Roads Channel is the large expanse of water in the bottom portion of the image.

Use NOAA Chart 12222.

Use NOAA Chart 12222.

The easiest way to reach the Phoebus Channel is from the North Auxiliary Channel just southeast of Old Point Comfort. First set a course for quick flashing red “22,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N37 00.155 W76 17.870. Once you have picked up quick flashing red buoy “22,” set an approximate course of 254 degrees magnetic for about .9 miles until you can see flashing green “1” at the entry to the Phoebus Channel. You can expect depths of 14 to 20 feet along most of the marked channel area.

The Old Point Comfort Marina is located just to starboard on entry (visible in the image above) and has transient slips, gas and diesel fuel, marine supplies and a lift for haul-outs and related repair services. There is also a commercial wharf all the way at the end of the Phoebus Channel, but it is primarily used by large commercial fishing vessels.

As with most locations in this area, a constant lookout for commercial traffic is warranted. Freighters, tanker, tugs with tows and all sorts of Naval vessels come and go from the Hampton Roads area at all hours of the day.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.