Rip Raps

Rip Raps is a small 15 acre (60,000 m²) artificial island at the mouth of Hampton Roads in the independent city of Hampton, Virginia. It was originally built in 1817 as part of the harbor defenses for to provide a setting for Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun), the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads.

Rip Raps is located adjacent to one of the unnamed man-made islands of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. However, Rip Raps and and Fort Wool are accessible to the public only by water via harbor tours.

Note: The availability of public tours of both Fort Wool and Fort Monroe are subject to Homeland Security Alert conditions.

See also

• Fort Wool
• Fort Monroe