Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk

Naval Station Norfolk holds the distinction of being the largest naval installation in the world, serving as both headquarters and homeport for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Situated on the Sewells Point peninsula, it extends across several miles of waterfront and supports a vast range of naval operations, making it central to America’s maritime power.

The base was created in 1917, during World War I, on land that had hosted the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. Originally established to meet the urgent needs of a rapidly expanding wartime navy, the station steadily grew in scope and importance. By the late 20th century, it had become the principal base for the Atlantic Fleet, and in 1999 it merged with the neighboring Naval Air Station, creating the modern consolidated installation.

Today, Naval Station Norfolk sustains a large fleet of ships and aircraft, with extensive pier facilities and an active airfield. Its port services oversee thousands of ship movements annually. Visitors can experience this scale firsthand through guided tours, including land-based bus routes and harbor cruises on the Victory Rover, which provide close views of the base’s operations, historic features, and daily naval activity.