5 Virginia Waterfront Homes, from Private Islands to Bayfront Builds

Along the water’s edge on the York River, Carmines Island offers a rare chance to live in one of the only private island residences on the East Coast. Set in Gloucester, Virginia, the island is framed as a place of refined Southern serenity, where daily life moves at a quieter, more gracious pace. The estate is described as gracious—an atmosphere that suggests welcoming interiors and a setting designed for unhurried mornings and long afternoons shaped by river light and open sky. With the island’s privacy as its defining feature, the experience here is less about spectacle and more about presence: water nearby, distance from the mainland, and a sense of retreat that still feels grounded in Virginia’s Tidewater landscape. It’s a setting that invites calm routines and restorative weekends, season after season.

Along the water’s edge on the Chesapeake Bay, this rare assemblage on E Ocean View Avenue in Norfolk presents a distinctive beachfront development canvas. The offering includes four generously sized beachfront lots measuring 50′ x 150′, plus a 50′ x 125′ street-front lot with deeded beach access—bringing flexibility to how the site can be envisioned and used. Practical groundwork is already in place, with water lines and meters installed to support a smoother path toward future plans. From here, coastal living takes center stage: wide-open shoreline, the rhythm of waves, and a setting designed for time outdoors and a slower daily pace. It’s a place to shape a retreat that feels rooted in sun, sand, and long-term serenity.

Size: 1.00 acres

Along the water’s edge in Croatan, this contemporary residence sits right on the ocean with solid concrete and steel construction. A unique glass elevator makes the home’s dramatic vertical design feel effortless, connecting outdoor living spaces on all levels to a rooftop deck with 360-degree views—described as the highest in the area. Two-story-high windows bring in changing light and Atlantic vistas, while new decking and a direct walkway over the dune offer an easy transition from house to beach. Morning routines arrive with spectacular sunrises; evenings can be spent in the hot tub, listening to the waves. With views from everywhere, there’s no shortage of places to watch wildlife, surfers, and the rhythm of water sports just beyond the shoreline.

Price: Contact for pricing

Within the gated Kingsmill community in Williamsburg, this cutting-edge architectural residence offers a rare fusion of innovation, design, and luxury. Mature woodlands frame the setting, giving the home a quiet, natural backdrop that feels removed from the everyday while remaining part of Williamsburg’s premier resort community. Tucked into a private, terraced lot, the approach is defined by a sense of seclusion and intentional siting—an address that privileges privacy and calm. The result is a living experience shaped as much by its landscape as by its forward-looking architecture, with woodland views and layered terrain creating a subtle rhythm to daily life. Here, modern design meets a protected setting, lending each arrival and departure a more grounded, retreat-like feel.

Along the James River in Newport News, this estate-styled residence by James River Construction unfolds across 1.26 acres with 120 feet of riverfront and sweeping water views. An open foyer sets the tone, leading to a two-story great room designed for everyday ease and easy entertaining. Formal dining is complemented by casual river dining, while a glass-enclosed river room keeps the shoreline close in every season. The first-floor primary river suite offers a quiet retreat, joined by three additional en suite bedrooms for comfortable privacy. Fine appointments appear throughout in tall ceilings, fine woodwork, hardwood floors, custom tile work, stainless appliances, and a masonry fireplace. Custom design and construction by Davis Mason Builders bring a polished, enduring feel to a setting defined by the river’s daily rhythms.