Little Creek Jetty
off the beach.
Norfolk, VA.
Little Creek Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) is a joint military base between two sites - the old Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and the Army Post of Fort Story. Little Creek was established as a training ground for WWII amphibious forces, while Fort Story was established in 1914 at the onset of WWI.
The dive site is the jetty that sits at the entrance to Little Creek inlet, outside of the base, so no clearance is required. Divers can access the jetty from the easternmost beach access in Oceanview. What you can expect to see are forests of algae and soft corals, along with a variety of marine life. Crabs, bass, and tautogs are common. On various dives, DiveVB members have seen a seahorse, a baby seaturtle, and rays here too!
Experience The Bay
The jetty is an oasis for wildlife at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, so a lot of juvenile fish and marine species are found here. This little fish decides to show us the way over the next pile of rubble!
East Coast Kelp Forest?
Reminiscent of the kelp forests of California, the colorful macroalgae in the bay are mesmerizing as they sway in the current. The algae gather energy from the sun through photosynthesis and form the backbone of life on this bay reef.
A Safe Haven.
A gorgonian soft coral and a pair of tautogs are waiting right over this ridge. Structures like these rock piles, with many nooks and crannies to hide in, attract fish that are looking for shelter from larger predators - like the dolphins that we frequently see right off the beach!
Dive in your backyard.
While many beachgoers are familiar with the waves, sand, and dunes of Oceanview, not many experience the true wonder and diversity of life that sits just underneath our noses. Come with DiveVB and see for yourself!
A wild human swims off into the abyss. Little Creek is a DiveVB favorite site because of its accessibility and variety of life!
A juvenile sea bass hovers over the reef. Structures like these provide a place for oysters and algae to anchor, which provide refuge to younger fish.