My wife and I are planning a trip on the middle bay for this summer. I might trailer up to the Great Yeomico River and go out from there. One of the place that I would like to visit is Tangier Island. How is the marina on Tangier Island? Does anyone know of any restaurants? I have been on the island before but it has been a long time ago. What all is there to do on the island?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Brooke Willson
Tangier
Matt: there's really not a "marina" on Tangier -- there are public docks with water and showers. I don't think there's power, but I might be wrong. The most famous restaurant is Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House -- that's where the tourists go from the cruise boats. There are also several small sandwich shops. To do? Well, you walk around and look. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has built a facility there, locals will give you a tour in a golf cart for a small fee, there's a small island museum. That's about it. I know many of the Tangierenes (their joke) -- they're wonderful, salt-of the earth people who get tired of people making fun of the way they talk. Life centers around the church -- there are two, but Swain Memorial UMC is the much bigger. You can pretty much do everything that can be done in a day. Have fun!
Matt: there's really not a "marina" on Tangier -- there are public docks with water and showers. I don't think there's power, but I might be wrong. The most famous restaurant is Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House -- that's where the tourists go from the cruise boats. There are also several small sandwich shops. To do? Well, you walk around and look. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has built a facility there, locals will give you a tour in a golf cart for a small fee, there's a small island museum. That's about it. I know many of the Tangierenes (their joke) -- they're wonderful, salt-of the earth people who get tired of people making fun of the way they talk. Life centers around the church -- there are two, but Swain Memorial UMC is the much bigger. You can pretty much do everything that can be done in a day. Have fun!
P
Peyton Kash
Family cruised there summer of 2002 on Catlina 36, stayed two nights at Parks Marina, not very deep, but has power and water as well as nice showers. or at least he did before Isabell.. heard that the island took big hit from storm. Several nice restaurants, even got pizza to go. Rented bikes for 5 per for entire time we were there, saw the entire island in less than one hour. Hope to go back this summer.
Tangier
To add to what Brooke and Payton have said... "Park's Marina" is actually just a couple of dozen or so slips (owned by Mr. Parks ??) on the south side of the E-W thouough-fare (channel) that runs mostly on the north side of Tangier Island. Mr. Parks charges (or, at least, was charging) $25.00/day to tie up (inc. elect & water). Just take any available slip,(Mr Parks will usually help you tie up), and be ready for a fairly swift current when comming into and out of the slip (except at slack tide). If you get there early in the afternoon, its fun to sit back and watch others deal with the current (or not). Fuel is available "around the corner" at the island's fuel pier. The one nice thing about Tangier, if you're traveling up and down the Bay, is that its a quick (and inexpensive) place to tie up that takes much less time to get into and out of than going up any of the various rivers, creeks, etc. to spend the night. It's one of those Ches. Bay places that you just have to see (at least once)......
To add to what Brooke and Payton have said... "Park's Marina" is actually just a couple of dozen or so slips (owned by Mr. Parks ??) on the south side of the E-W thouough-fare (channel) that runs mostly on the north side of Tangier Island. Mr. Parks charges (or, at least, was charging) $25.00/day to tie up (inc. elect & water). Just take any available slip,(Mr Parks will usually help you tie up), and be ready for a fairly swift current when comming into and out of the slip (except at slack tide). If you get there early in the afternoon, its fun to sit back and watch others deal with the current (or not). Fuel is available "around the corner" at the island's fuel pier. The one nice thing about Tangier, if you're traveling up and down the Bay, is that its a quick (and inexpensive) place to tie up that takes much less time to get into and out of than going up any of the various rivers, creeks, etc. to spend the night. It's one of those Ches. Bay places that you just have to see (at least once)......
B
Bryan
I agree, and try the link!
Everything said before is quite true. Watch it during the deep summer if there is not any wind, the flies can get bad around the docks, and it can get really smoking hot. Also take the left turn at the far south end of the island. It will take you out to the horn shaped beach which seems to stretch a long way. Even though the island is small, take plenty of water on your trek. They even have an day airport for small planes if a friend wants a unique way to hook up with you on your journey. Have fun, Mr. Crockett! Try the link.
Everything said before is quite true. Watch it during the deep summer if there is not any wind, the flies can get bad around the docks, and it can get really smoking hot. Also take the left turn at the far south end of the island. It will take you out to the horn shaped beach which seems to stretch a long way. Even though the island is small, take plenty of water on your trek. They even have an day airport for small planes if a friend wants a unique way to hook up with you on your journey. Have fun, Mr. Crockett! Try the link.
J
joe phibbs
one more thing
Tangier Island is D R Y : no booze allowed anywhere on the island. Read Isle of Dogs by Patricia Cornwell for local color. To us there are two Tangiers: one during the eight hours the tour boats are in; another after the last tour boat leaves. The people are earthy, sincere, willing to help you. One quick story that speaks to the two populations. In mid-1990's, boating partner Ed and I spent a summer Saturday night there. Ed runs/jogs daily. As he was making his 8pm daylight run around the island (<1mile) he jogged past the Dairy Queen teenage gathering, some local yelled, "Run, Forest, Run!" The rest of the kids got a kick out of that and on the subsequent lap, they all yelled it. On the third lap, they started to shout something, and a very mature member of the crowd sushed them with, "BE QUIET! HE IS A CUSTOMER". The folks there can be clannish: they speak English like they did 400 years ago. A friend's wife taught third grade there for two years, in the mid-80's. They called her back for the senior graduation: eleven of the same twelve kids graduated! Don't be off-put by the flotsom and jetsom. When a washing machine or appliance dies, it is buried in the swamp. Everybody there drives golf carts. Be very careful of the current: 4 knots steady. Enjoy.
Tangier Island is D R Y : no booze allowed anywhere on the island. Read Isle of Dogs by Patricia Cornwell for local color. To us there are two Tangiers: one during the eight hours the tour boats are in; another after the last tour boat leaves. The people are earthy, sincere, willing to help you. One quick story that speaks to the two populations. In mid-1990's, boating partner Ed and I spent a summer Saturday night there. Ed runs/jogs daily. As he was making his 8pm daylight run around the island (<1mile) he jogged past the Dairy Queen teenage gathering, some local yelled, "Run, Forest, Run!" The rest of the kids got a kick out of that and on the subsequent lap, they all yelled it. On the third lap, they started to shout something, and a very mature member of the crowd sushed them with, "BE QUIET! HE IS A CUSTOMER". The folks there can be clannish: they speak English like they did 400 years ago. A friend's wife taught third grade there for two years, in the mid-80's. They called her back for the senior graduation: eleven of the same twelve kids graduated! Don't be off-put by the flotsom and jetsom. When a washing machine or appliance dies, it is buried in the swamp. Everybody there drives golf carts. Be very careful of the current: 4 knots steady. Enjoy.
M
Mac Bentley
Check this out
A Wight Potter 19 owner visited Tangier last summer and chronicled his trip with lots of info and pics. Until I got my h23 last fall, I sailed vicariously through his trips posted on the web site. Click on the link and click on his 08/13/2003 trip to Tangier. Mac
A Wight Potter 19 owner visited Tangier last summer and chronicled his trip with lots of info and pics. Until I got my h23 last fall, I sailed vicariously through his trips posted on the web site. Click on the link and click on his 08/13/2003 trip to Tangier. Mac
W
Wright Ellis
By the by ...
If you want to eat supper ashore, be early. The "dining establishments" are closed around 1900hrs.
If you want to eat supper ashore, be early. The "dining establishments" are closed around 1900hrs.
S
Stu Sauer
Alternate Accomodations
It's been a long time since I visited Tangier Island, but at the time I was concerned with the 5'-2" draft of my 28.5 and the shallow channel into Tangier. We decided to sail to Chrisfield, had a great stay at Somers Cove Marina, enjoyed the pool and tried the walking tour and the local seafood restaurants. Take your mosquito repellent and have screens for the opening ports and companionway incase the breeze stops and the bugs find you. Of course, we took the sight seeing boat back into Tangier Island up the narrow and shallow channel; did the tourist family style meal, walked around the island, etc. The kids learned about soft shell crab sloughing and we had a great sail back from Chrisfield to Solomons. I'd take at least the extra day to enjoy Chrisfield, and particularly in mid-summer, a relaxing swim in the pool before dinner.
It's been a long time since I visited Tangier Island, but at the time I was concerned with the 5'-2" draft of my 28.5 and the shallow channel into Tangier. We decided to sail to Chrisfield, had a great stay at Somers Cove Marina, enjoyed the pool and tried the walking tour and the local seafood restaurants. Take your mosquito repellent and have screens for the opening ports and companionway incase the breeze stops and the bugs find you. Of course, we took the sight seeing boat back into Tangier Island up the narrow and shallow channel; did the tourist family style meal, walked around the island, etc. The kids learned about soft shell crab sloughing and we had a great sail back from Chrisfield to Solomons. I'd take at least the extra day to enjoy Chrisfield, and particularly in mid-summer, a relaxing swim in the pool before dinner.
E
Ed Welp
My Taniger Joke
Tangier is a very nice destination. Parks Marina is nice and reasonable. Was $15 a night 2 years ago. The current going into the marina is very strong. Old man Parks, a delightful salt was directing me into my slip. After the third attempt I finally got my Hunter 31 in and tied off, he asked me if my boat was a charter. Guess I looked liked I have never sailed her before.
Tangier is a very nice destination. Parks Marina is nice and reasonable. Was $15 a night 2 years ago. The current going into the marina is very strong. Old man Parks, a delightful salt was directing me into my slip. After the third attempt I finally got my Hunter 31 in and tied off, he asked me if my boat was a charter. Guess I looked liked I have never sailed her before.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.