NAVAL STATION NORFOLK TO OPEN FOR PUBLIC TOURS OF U.S. & INTERNATIONAL WARSHIPS DURING SAIL250® VIRGINIA

Rare Opportunity to Experience FleetEx250 and Tour Military Vessels from Around the World During America’s 250th Commemoration

 

Visitors attending Sail250® Virginia events in Norfolk have a rare opportunity to tour U.S. Navy and international military vessels as part of Fleet Fest 2026. The United States Navy announced that Naval Station Norfolk will offer tours of various U.S. Navy warships and international ships during the historic Sail250® Virginia and FleetEx250 events commemorating the 250th anniversaries of the United States and the United States Navy. 

On Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to meet sailors from around the world, step aboard and explore an extraordinary lineup of U.S. Navy and international military ships docked at the world’s largest naval installation. 

 

Featured vessels* are expected to include: 

• USS Iwo Jima 
• USS San Antonio 
• USS Bainbridge 
• FGS Sachsen (Germany) 
• BNS Leopold I (Belgium) 
• (Additional participating vessels may be announced in the future.) 

 

(*All schedules and ships are subject to change without notice.) 

Base Access & Transportation 

Access onto Naval Station Norfolk for public ship tours will only be by shuttle buses. No individual cars will be permitted to access the base for these tours. Shuttle buses will depart from the Sail 250 Virginia shuttle bus lot at the foot of Colley Avenue and Front Street. Visitors must board the shuttle bus to access the ship tours. 

 

Security Regulations and Tour Information 

The following security regulations will be strictly enforced. All guests and their belongings are subject to search before boarding the shuttle bus. 

 

BASE ACCESS/IDENTIFICATION 

• For U.S. Citizens: A REAL ID is required for participants ages 18 and over. 
• For Non-U.S. Citizens: A passport is required and non-U.S. citizens are subject to additional screening. 

 

BAGS 

• Purses and small bags are permitted but are subject to search. 
• Bookbags and large totes are not permitted. 

 

PROHIBITED ITEMS The following items are prohibited on Naval Station Norfolk: 

• Weapons and Ammunition: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, pyrotechnics, club-type weapons (e.g., brass knuckles, blackjacks, nunchucks), mace, pepper spray, laser pointers, knives, and Leathermans. 
• Illegal and Controlled Substances: Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and alcohol. 
• Other Restrictions: Drones, motorized scooters, professional cameras, and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Guests must wear closed-toed shoes. 
• The ship is an industrial environment. Guests must be able to climb up and down steep ladder wells and be able to move about the ship unassisted. 

 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the public to experience naval history and international maritime cooperation up close,” said Karen Scherberger, president and CEO of Sail250® Virginia. “As we celebrate 250 years of the United States Navy and America’s Semiquincentennial, Norfolk will once again demonstrate why our region is recognized around the world as a global harbor of friendship and goodwill.” 

The FleetEx 250 naval base public tours are one of many signature experiences planned as part of Sail250® Virginia, the largest event in the Commonwealth commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. 

 

• For more information, maps, and schedules about Sail250® Virginia, visit www.sail250virginia.com. 
• For more information about the U.S. Navy and International Warship tours, contact 757-438-4245. 

 

Sail250® Virginia support includes: 

In Partnership with VA250. 

Sponsors: Virginia is for Lovers, The City of Norfolk, Sentara, TowneBank, W.F. Magann Corporation, Crofton, E. G. Middleton, Inc., Dominion Enterprises, McLeskey, VIGOR Marine | MHI Norfolk, The Port of Virginia, Dominion Energy, Robbins Maritime, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, Fairlead, Light Tech, Inc., Colliers, Virginia Pilot Association, Nauticus, Carnival Cruise Line, ICON, Colonna’s, Inc., Perry Family Foundation, Hilton Norfolk The Main, Visit Norfolk, City Cruises, BAE Systems, Coastal Precast Systems, LLC, Elizabeth River Concrete, S. B. Ballard, Bay Power Solutions, Caligari Gerloff Painting Inc., STIHL, Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Navy League of Hampton Roads, City of Virginia Beach, Bruce Bishop, Decker Law, Sherwin Williams, Centennial, Schaubach Fund/Suffolk Foundation, Town Point Club, New Journal & Guide, 13News Now, WAVY TV 10. Produced by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. 

WHRO Official Education Media Partner. Hilton Norfolk The Main – HQ Hotel. 

 

About Sail250® Virginia 

Sail250® Virginia, hosted by the City of Norfolk, is part of the United States’ national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. This signature event is planned as the largest public event in the Commonwealth for the 250th. Scheduled June 12- 23, 2026, the event will bring a fleet of international tall ships, military ships, historic and character vessels to Norfolk (June 19 – 22, 2026) and Affiliate Harbors (June 12 – 21, 2026) in the Chesapeake Bay Region for multi-day waterfront festivals, featuring ship tours, fireworks, concerts, and educational programming. Sail250® Virginia will showcase Virginia's role as a maritime gateway to the world, bringing together participants and visitors from around the globe. 

 

For more details, visit www.sail250virginia.com, Facebook, and Instagram