Haven Beach Launch, 
Middle Peninsula of VA, 
near Diggs, VA  (aka new Haven Beach)

    
FIG. 1A view looking NE from Haven Beach Launch 
-- note the sandbar in the distance extending north-south 
 view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by 
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  
If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image"

FIG. 1B aerial view of the Haven Beach launch area showing sand bar
 and where one can find nice flat water when the winds have an 
easterly component 

The Haven Beach Launch is located at the tip of the Middle Peninsula
 of Virginia in Mathews county near Diggs, VA

Best wind direction.  Beach faces E to 20 miles of Chesapeake bay with the
Delmarva far in the background.  Therefore, any wind not out of the west
is favorable.  

FROM DC or Richmond  I 95 South to I295.  I295 (Richmond bypass) South  14 miles
 to I64 east exit. Take I64 East about 18 miles to exit 220 for Va Rt 33 East to
West Point. Go thru West Point and then pick up VA RT 198 E. Right onto VA 643 at
 Moon, VA.  Stay on Va 643 to an end.  643 becomes Haven Beach road and ends
at Haven Beach.  Consult www.mapquest.com before departing.

Alternate route from DC, use exit 126 on I95 south and then follow US 17 
South 78 miles (thru Tappahannock) to VA 198.  

For Marylanders, get on US 301 in Maryland and cross the Potomac river into
VA on US 301.  Shortly thereafter, you will reach Jct US 17.  
Turn left onto US 17 South and continue thru Tappahannock.

FIG. 2 view of shoreline looking south from Haven beach
to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by 
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser
 is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

One major draw to this launch is the fact that there is a nice, protected body
of water between the sandbar to the NE and the main land.  When the wind is from,
the NE, E or SE, this sandbar will break the waves but not the wind, providing
a shallow, waveless body of water suitable for beginners

FIG. 3 close-up view of sandbar -- in channel to the left between the sandbar
and the main land is flat and planable water 
to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by 
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is
Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

Hazards, crab pots may be present in water.  Sand bar to the north-east is
private land.  Flies can be nasty in light wind conditions.
Amenities -- port-o-potties, trash cans, no fees

FIG. 4 view of 150 foot long path from parking lot to launch

FIG. 5 view of parking lot with port-o-potties and path to
beach in the background
to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by 
hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is 
Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image"