Ports (or Gunkholes) of the Chesapeake

[Hayden]

I had a plan to circumnavigate the Delmarva Peninsula next summer in my Hunter 23.5. That has changed to a circumnavigation of the Chesapeake. I'm looking to develop a list of favorite stops (ports of call or gunkholes) that will make the 3 to 4 week trip memorable. I know the ususal plces like Annapolis, St. Michael's (which my wife infroms me is a must because she'll join me on the boat for a night or two while in port so we can go shopping etc), Solomon Islands setc. What I really need is to identify some unique places (especially on the VA eastern shore where the only port seems to be Cape Charles)to drop the hook or slip into a slip for the evening (a drink, a hot meal and a shower makes for a great evening after a long day on the salt pond).I hope to travel about 25 nautical miles per day and stop for a rest every 3 to 4 days.What and where are your favorite anchorages or ports of call????????????ThanksHayden

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Check the guide

There's a swell book in its 20th year or so that lists all the marinas, gunkholes and creeks you can manuever. Check with any marina.

 

[Lasata]

Rapahannok/Windmill Point and Reedville

These are three great places. If ya dont wanna go up the river to Irvington, Windmill point is a neat marina at the end of the river.

 

[tom]

can you spend a summer??

We plan to cruise maybe next spring for a year or so . We are on the gulf coast now but plan to go around to the Chesapeake. I would like to spend the summer there then move south to the Bahamas for the winter. Also how expensive is it to cruise there??? We plan to spend most of the time on the hook. But my brother lives in Leesburg ,VA so we'll have to dock for awhile. If marinas are reasonable we may even have someone drive the car up from Alabama and stay at a marina for a month or so. My brother says that the marinas are expensive and hard to get a slip. But maybe that's only true near Washington.

 

[George Dibble]

Onancock

Try this little town on the lower eastern shore, above St Charles. Neat place with a municipal marina. Also, St mary's College on the St Mary's River off the Patomac. Tangier Island and many more.

 

[Buck Harrison]

Hayden,

I've cruised the Bay for almost 20 years... been to, and anchored in, almost every spot there is... Bill O'Donovan's advice is IT. Get a "Cruising Guide to the Ches. Bay"... and get a chart book of the Ches. Bay. Then spend the Winter reading and planning.... There isn't a bad place to go on the Bay... so go to as many spots as you can... but, you'll have more fun if there's someone with you to share all the neat places and adventures...

 

[joe phibbs]

my vote goes to Horn Harbor

No one should miss Horn Harbor. It is located about 3 miles southwest of Wolf Trap Light. The entrance is tricky, but you will find the most secluded, sweetest little anchorage on the lower Chesapeake. Folks there are welcoming, the marina is ok, fishing for spot/croaker is surprising and the holding ground is stable. We always stop there on the way up the bay, as any other site around Mobjack Bay adds two to three hours to your transit time. Horn Harbor is a gunkhole you can pop into in less than an hour from mid-bay. Let me also throw in a vote for Rebel Marine, in Willoughby. joe