My wife and I have a Hunter 22. We are about ready to leave on a cruise, in about 10 days, and we are heading out into the Chesepeake Bay. I would appreciate any information anyone has on cruising in these areas. We are sailing out of Colonial Beach, VA. That is my home port. I am pretty familiar with the Bay in the areas around the Potomac River. I have two ports that I really want to visit: Tangier Island and Solomin's Island. I was considering Smith Island as another place to visit but I have heard that there is a lot of Shoaling there and it is pretty shallow. Anyone have any advice or thoughts on this? Another place I was thinking about was Chrisfield, MD. I have heard that this is a nice area. How long of a sail is it from Tangier Island? How long of a sail is it from Chrisfield to Solomin's Island? If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate them. I haven't been to many places around the Bay so any local information would help greatly! Thanks in advance!!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
W
Warren
Cruising the Chesapeake
Take a look at Chesapeake Bay Magazine's "Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay," or "Cruising the Chesapeake" by William Shellenberger. Both offer lots of info on places to go and how to get into them. My favorite route would be to go from Colonial Beach northeast to Oxford, then west to Dunn Cove, then thru Knapps Narrows and up into Eastern Bay stopping off at either Shaw Bay in the Wye River or down the Miles into St. Michaels. From there backtrack down Eastern Bay and cross over to the West River into Galesville. From Galesville head into Annapolis. From Annapolis head NE across the Bay and into Rock Hall and then back to Colonial Beach. That should keep you gainfully occupied for at least 10 days.... The Chesapeake is just the most wonderful place to sail!
Take a look at Chesapeake Bay Magazine's "Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay," or "Cruising the Chesapeake" by William Shellenberger. Both offer lots of info on places to go and how to get into them. My favorite route would be to go from Colonial Beach northeast to Oxford, then west to Dunn Cove, then thru Knapps Narrows and up into Eastern Bay stopping off at either Shaw Bay in the Wye River or down the Miles into St. Michaels. From there backtrack down Eastern Bay and cross over to the West River into Galesville. From Galesville head into Annapolis. From Annapolis head NE across the Bay and into Rock Hall and then back to Colonial Beach. That should keep you gainfully occupied for at least 10 days.... The Chesapeake is just the most wonderful place to sail!
F
FrankR
St. Michaels Also
The Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is excellent and a must see. Great crab cakes in Crisfield.
The Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is excellent and a must see. Great crab cakes in Crisfield.
M
Mike DiMario
Out trip
Matt, Two years ago we ventured from the Eastern Shore, MD to Tangier. Tangier is a must see. Plan to get there at slack tide if possible. The one marina, Parkers, is right in the canal and it can have a nasty cross current. Crisfield was nice. It is about 11 miles from Tangier, as the crow flies for timing. A small town, nice for a stroll and dinner. They are trying to attract our type. Spring Cove is a nice marina. We were told to skip Smith Island and did. If you have not been to Solomon Island on the Patuxent, it is a very worthwhile stop. Nice town, shops, a museum, and restaurants. Zanhiser's is a premium marina. They have bikes for your use on a first come basis. There is a nice anchorage just north of the marina also. I think it is on Back Creek. Oxford, St Michaels, and Knapp’s Narrows are our favorites on the Eastern Shore. The Wye River off of Eastern Bay is a great scenic anchorage area. Herrington Harbor South, a very resort like marina, The West and Rhode River (good anchorages) and Annapolis are great on the West Side. If you need any other info, please feel free to email us. We are in the HOW directory. Have a great trip, Mike D
Matt, Two years ago we ventured from the Eastern Shore, MD to Tangier. Tangier is a must see. Plan to get there at slack tide if possible. The one marina, Parkers, is right in the canal and it can have a nasty cross current. Crisfield was nice. It is about 11 miles from Tangier, as the crow flies for timing. A small town, nice for a stroll and dinner. They are trying to attract our type. Spring Cove is a nice marina. We were told to skip Smith Island and did. If you have not been to Solomon Island on the Patuxent, it is a very worthwhile stop. Nice town, shops, a museum, and restaurants. Zanhiser's is a premium marina. They have bikes for your use on a first come basis. There is a nice anchorage just north of the marina also. I think it is on Back Creek. Oxford, St Michaels, and Knapp’s Narrows are our favorites on the Eastern Shore. The Wye River off of Eastern Bay is a great scenic anchorage area. Herrington Harbor South, a very resort like marina, The West and Rhode River (good anchorages) and Annapolis are great on the West Side. If you need any other info, please feel free to email us. We are in the HOW directory. Have a great trip, Mike D
B
Bill O'Donovan
Further south, into Virginia
Highly recommend Deltaville, located between the Piankatank and Rappahannock rivers. At least five marinas on one side and another on the lower side. Grocery story burned down but there's competition afoot to do a new one. There's even a West Marine in Deltaville, so you know it's civilized.
Highly recommend Deltaville, located between the Piankatank and Rappahannock rivers. At least five marinas on one side and another on the lower side. Grocery story burned down but there's competition afoot to do a new one. There's even a West Marine in Deltaville, so you know it's civilized.
M
Mike DiMario
We need Suggestions for South Bay
Does anyone have some "must see" or recommendations for a 14 day trip into the lower Chesapeake Bay? We have done Tangier, Crisfield and Solomon. We are leaving from the upper bay and stopping at the Rhode River and Solomon. We would like to do maybe 4 more 2 day layovers. I saw Bill D's advice on Deltaville. Also, we were told to go the Tides. Any suggestion welcome including routes, itinerary, marinas, anchorages, provisions, etc. We would like to stay in the lower bay area. Is Norfolk worth seeing? Thanks, Mike D
Does anyone have some "must see" or recommendations for a 14 day trip into the lower Chesapeake Bay? We have done Tangier, Crisfield and Solomon. We are leaving from the upper bay and stopping at the Rhode River and Solomon. We would like to do maybe 4 more 2 day layovers. I saw Bill D's advice on Deltaville. Also, we were told to go the Tides. Any suggestion welcome including routes, itinerary, marinas, anchorages, provisions, etc. We would like to stay in the lower bay area. Is Norfolk worth seeing? Thanks, Mike D
S
sailgirl
Norfolk can be a fun spot
Actually, Norfolk is a great spot to stop. The downtown area has a marina at Waterside and directly across the harbor is Tidewater Yacht. During the summer on Friday nights there are outdoor concerts beside the Waterside area and if the Tides (a Triple A ball team) are in town you can catch a ball game. There is usually a lot going on on both sides of the water. Also the trip up the river will take you past the Norfolk Naval Base which gives you a unique perspective from the water. I would highly recommend it as a stop.
Actually, Norfolk is a great spot to stop. The downtown area has a marina at Waterside and directly across the harbor is Tidewater Yacht. During the summer on Friday nights there are outdoor concerts beside the Waterside area and if the Tides (a Triple A ball team) are in town you can catch a ball game. There is usually a lot going on on both sides of the water. Also the trip up the river will take you past the Norfolk Naval Base which gives you a unique perspective from the water. I would highly recommend it as a stop.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.