Kings Creek Inlet

About

Introduction:

Kings Creek is located on the lower Eastern Shore of Virginia just north of the town of Cape Charles. A large new marina development with floating docks has gone in on Kings Creek, and there is also a repair facility at the mouth. Kings Creek is unfortunately shoal and requires a bit of patience (and a full tide) to enter. Depths range from three to five feet, but can abruptly change if there is any recent shoaling. Proceed slowly with a good depth sounder within view.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12224.

The reliable Kings Creek entrance channel is actually located almost two miles to the southwest of the town of Cape Charles. From the Chesapeake Bay, you will initially pick up the Old Plantation Flats Light (flashing white every four seconds), and then look for flashing green “1,” marking the actual beginning of the approach channel. The approach channel has a width of 300 feet and depths of 11.5 feet in mid-channel.

From flashing green “1,” you will head to quick flashing red buoy “2,” which marks a bend in the channel to the north. Once you have started your turn north, you will pass flashing red “4” to starboard, and then line up for green can “5” and red nun 6”,” which both lead you toward Cape Charles Harbor. After you have cleared the unlit buoys, you will proceed past the Cape Charles breakwaters to flashing green “1,” and then toward the mouth of Kings Creek. Make sure you avoid the bar that extends north almost to flashing green “KC.” If you head to the east too soon, you will go aground.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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