Rip Raps, Artificial island in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Rip Raps is an artificial island in Hampton Roads, Virginia, home to Fort Wool, a fortified military structure. The island sits at the harbor entrance and functioned as a strategic defense point for maritime traffic.
The island was built in 1817 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to support the fort. It served as an active defense position during several military conflicts throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
President Andrew Jackson selected this secluded island as his personal retreat, making regular visits between 1829 and 1835 during his presidency.
The island is visible from the shore and sits adjacent to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, a major transportation corridor. Visitors can mainly view the island from the water or designated vantage points nearby.
Since 2020, the entire island has been a protected bird sanctuary with no public access allowed. The change was made to preserve natural migration patterns and seabird habitats.
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