Exploring Chincoteague Island | 4 Beaches To Visit Near Chincoteague Island
Chincoteague is a place where I fell in love immediately after moving to Virginia. I remember there was a poem we had to read in school days called ‘Misty of Chincoteague’. It is about a wild horse. The island was far away from where I live. But my curiosity about that place until one day when I finally took a trip down there and while on the road I came across many beaches near Chincoteague Beach.
Here is my article where you will find the names of the beaches that I came to know about during my trip to the island. To learn more about Chincoteague Beach, I have another blog coming up. For now, let’s talk about the beaches that you might enjoy, once you are there.
Exploring Chincoteague Island: All That You Need To Know!
Ponies run around wild on Chincoteague Island – you can dig or catch your own seafood. Plus, the beaches here are literally a breath of fresh air. Moreover, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is an unspoiled destination for horseback riding, swimming, biking, and bird watching.
Since 1925, every summer, the feral ponies of Assateague are simply rounded up for the very famous Annual Pony Swim to Chincoteague Island. Stay tuned and read about this beautiful island.
Location And Background:
Located on the eastern shore of Virginia on the northernmost tip is Chincoteague Island. An important part of Accomack County, these islands are known across the globe for their wild ponies. In fact, Marguerite Henry even wrote about this island in his novel, ‘Misty of Chincoteague’ – the novel was later made into a movie.
The island is just a small fishing town on the eastern shore of Virginia and happens to be only steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. The island was voted as ‘America’s Happiest Seaside Town’ by the Coastal Living Magazine.
Wild Ponies And Chincoteague Island:
The famous wild ponies of the island are residents of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge located on the Assateague Island. You can easily check these ponies out by driving to the wildlife refuge from town by car or bike.
The refuge here is basically Virgina’s entry to a beach that is 37 miles long and completely undeveloped. Seasonally, the National Park Refuge and Service offers programs led by rangers. Fall and Spring bird migrations are both popular events here, but the island’s biggest event is the Pony Swim and Auction, hosted by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company every year, bringing plenty of spectators here every year.
Saltwater cowboys have rounded up ponies and even swam them across the water channel from the Assateague to the Chincoteague islands to be auctioned since the summer of 1926.
What Do Visitors Like Here?
Visitors who travel to Chincoteague Island love digging clams, watching oystermen, and competing for cash prizes in saltwater fishing events. Interestingly, Abe Lincoln had actually sent a Union ship to protect the seafood trade of the island, and today, the story lives on in Patriot Oysters – seafood dining is a must for everyone here!
Fans of water activities can enjoy nature cruising, charter fishing, and kayaking. The Chamber usually hosts events throughout the year, and a very lively art scene thrives in galleries and at the Island Theatre, which has been recently restored.
4 Beaches To Visit Near Chincoteague Beach Island
Chincoteague Beach KOA is just a few hour’ drive from many beautiful beaches. There are private shires on Chesapeake Bay and pristine barrier islands on the Atlantic.
So, on your next visit, carry your beach gear.
Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge Near Chincoteague Island
It is a gateway to wildlife with the sandy beach of Assateague Island National Seashore. This place covers miles of both Maryland and Virginia. Located just a few miles away from Chincoteague.
One section is filled with lifeguards as families occupy the beach in Virginia and the other section is all about surfers and skimboarders.
There are many activities that you can become a part of such as clamming, crabbing biking, horseback riding, surf fishing.
Ocean City Near Chincoteague Island
If you look for a beach where you can have a boardwalk with your partner all day long, talking to each other about your favorite things then plan a day trip to Ocean City, Maryland.
You don’t have to even drive long to reach the destination. The ride is just for an hour from Chincoteague Beach, KOA. The sand is beachy enough to sunbath and play games or build sandcastles and the water is suitable for swimming.
The major attractions here are shops and restaurants.
Tangier Island Near Chincoteague Island
A perfect Sunday trip would be a trip to Tangier. Though the island is tiny of the Chesapeake Bay, the unique thing about it is the dialect the residents speak. The beach happens to be very beautiful and the best secret kept intact by the Eastern Shore.
The trip is a bit tricky; it is not that easy to suddenly plan it. You have to drive 45 minutes south towards Onancock and then ride a ferry to Tangier and then you can walk on the beach on Hog Ridge Road.
The cars are limited on Tangier, but golf carts can be seen operated by the locals. It is also a good choice if you want to get that ride with the guides because I can guarantee you will know a lot about the place.
Barrier Islands Near Chincoteague Island
It is the same as Tangier when it comes to the trip to the Barrier Islands. The shore of the 14 barriers is the longest and most developed shoreline on the East Coast; maybe that’s why it has its own essence.
If you have always thought about lying down in the daylight and feeling the sand on your body and mind, Then this beach is going to be perfect. The beach is so empty that strolling as much as you want will never make people look at you in surprise.
These beaches are home to some wildlife; therefore, taking pictures of the way they live or just capturing the scenes with your bare eyes are going to make you remember the place after you wave goodbye. Be careful and stay under the high tide line, as there are nests with birds.
Assateague is the only barrier island that you can travel to by car. For a better experience, you can think about booking a stay at Chincoteague Beach.
Here’s Why Chincoteague Island Should Your New Favorite Getaway
Famous today for its herd of over 100 ponies that graze the beautiful salt marshes of Assateague in Chincoteague Island, Hollywood first thrust this island under the spotlight in the 1960s.
In 1961, a film called Misty was released – the plot was based on a children’s book by Marguerite Henry. The story was about this local mare, Misty. Since the movie’s release, the sleepy fishing village located on the eastern shore of Virginia has served as a paradise for horse lovers.
Every summer, horse lovers land up on Chincoteague Island to witness the legendary pony swim and auction. As children, we spent hours reading Henry’s books, but at the time, we never had the good fortune to see ponies up close. But as grown-ups, it was no longer an impossibility!
We loved the place – and here’s why it should be on your new favorite weekend getaway!
1. Small Museum With A Big Impact:
While the ponies are the major attraction of Chincoteague Island, the local museum is one of the lesser-known must-visits. It’s a tiny museum located on the roadside overlooking the salt marsh.
Fun fact – Misty and her foal’s (Stormy) taxidermically preserved bodies reside here, though Misty died in 1972 and Stormy died in 1993.
There was so much to learn about the island’s history – plus, paying homage to the two famous ponies of the island was important for us.
However, before you go to the museum, remember that operations here start in March, but during the offseason, the museum hosts multiple community events like the Halloween Scavenger Hunts, Educational programs, and the Christmas Tree Village.
Recently, the museum hosted an extensive fundraiser and bought the local Beebe Ranch, Stormy and Misty’s original home. The museum is currently restoring the ranch and the house, opening it to the public sometime soon.
Moreover, the museum is also in the process of planning different exhibits soon – a mutual honoring event for local decoy carvers, an exploration program about community building by the island’s churches, a new feature event on shipwrecks, and a spotlight on the area during the ‘70s, ‘60s, and ‘50s.
2. The Mighty Mollusk
As in other coastal towns, seafood rules supreme on Chincoteague Island. In fact, the briny, slender oysters harvested in the Bay come with plenty of history. These oysters were the most famous variation found in this area during the Civil War and then throughout the 1930s.
At the time, places like Philadelphia and New York relied on the oysters found in Chincoteague Island to supplement their local options since they were actually overharvested in the northern part.
You can grab lunch at Subs Shop and Famous Pizza for the best of Chincoteague. We also loved the ice cream cones at the Island Cemetry, where owners get their own milk from independent dairies and flavor inspiration like cherries jubilee and whiskey brittle from the local farmers.
During the peak travel season (between May and November), takeout counters and food trucks make it very easy to grab quick bites. Then, during the summer months, you can always check Pico Taqueria and Woody’s!
Best Time To Visit Chincoteague
When it comes to seasons, Chincoteague is as diverse as its attractive sites. All four seasons prevail here with their specialties and uniqueness.
Next, you will be witnessing a detailed explanation of all four seasons so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Let’s jump straight into the details:
1. Winters In Chiconteague
The fact that this place gets quite cold is undeniable, but that shouldn’t bring your fun-filled trip to a halt. In fact, winters can be perfect to experience a deserted, uncrowded island.
You get to watch classic birds migrating both on the Assateague and Chincoteague Islands, like snow geese and others.
2. Spring: The Season Of Bloom
Spring on this island is a bit different from other places as you get little April Showers making it the wettest month. Late April-May is when it gets dry with cool, sunny days, and the island becomes literally green.
If you are a summer lover, this could be your season to discover this amazing island. Make sure to visit here before May as the temperatures start getting hotter.
3. Summer Season In Chiconteague
The island brightens up in summer, although the temperature remains around 70 on average. The water gets warm enough for swimming.
As a matter of fact, summer is the busiest time for tourists, and most roadside vendors make huge profits. You will find crowded beaches with a lot of people around.
4. The Fall Season
Just like spring, autumn in Chiconteague comes with nice sunny days that have a crispness of cool breeze. Autumn has fewer crowds, even in major tourist attractions, so you can hit the spot without any worries.
Wildlife in the region remains active but drawn, as always. Take your family on an exciting beach vacation during the fall.
How To Get To Chincoteague
Chincoteague is a remote part of Virginia on the Eastern Shore. To get there from mainland Virginia, take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge -Tunnel that picks you up in between Norfolk and Virginia beach.
The price is 14 dollars( one way) during off-peak and 18 dollars during peak. Peak periods are Friday to Sunday. May to September.
For a round trip to the Eastern Shore within 24 hours, the return price is 6 dollars (off-peak) and 2 dollars (peak) period. If Maryland or Delaware is the place you are traveling from to Chincoteague, take Hwy 13 which starts from south of Pocomoke.
Things To Do In Chincoteague
If you’re traveling with kids or maybe all alone here are some activities that can add more fun to your trip.
After all, you need some stories as souvenirs for your friends and relatives!
1. Satisfy Your Soul With Some Heavenly Fishing
Settled between the Virginia Coast and Assateague Island, Chincoteague is smaller in size. It also acts as the gateway to Assategue’s southern passage. Both the Atlantic Ocean and Assateague Bay are filled with waters where you will get an ample number of fish and crabs.
From flounder to striped bass, there are so many game fishes available here. Get indulged in some quick fun with fishing near Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park, where a memorable journey awaits you.
2. Wander In The Trails
Both biking and hiking routes assist travelers to nearby refuges for birds and other wildlife animals. More than 300 resident and migratory birds are available here for sightseeing. The refuge road ends in pristine beaches with astounding sunrises and sunsets.
Additionally, don’t forget to visit this beautiful lighthouse in Assateague. Beachcombers are absolutely in love with the bounty of shells found here. And the dramatic dunes are simply the cherry on the cake.
Other fun-filled activities to do here are:
- Enjoying the Pony Express Nature Cruise.
- Checking out the Museum of Chincoteague. For sure.
- Don’t skip the NASA Wallops Visitor Center on Wallops Island.
- Getting to know about the Historic Main Street Merchants.
- Entering Ray’s shanty and enjoy the food, thank me later.
- Do not forget to taste the craft beer.
Wrapping It All Up
So, here you go with a full picture of beaches that are near Chincoteague, and also, if you change your mind and decide to take a look at Chincoteague Island, this article supports it.
Often, we plan for more fun when we have enough and can’t get enough of it. Therefore, we must take some days off from our busy work and take trips to see places that most people don’t know.
I hope my article helps a lot of people to have a basic idea about the place and rest you can have it on your own.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences about visiting Chincoteague Island in the comments below.
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