Va. Atlantic Coast Island Anchorages?

[BBC16385]

We are considering going "outside" for our summer cruise. Have any of you done this? We would like to anchor behind barrier islands on Virginia's Eastern Shore Atlantic side.Have any of you done that?If so, which inlet and islands did you go to. Did you spend the night? Did you use one anchor or two? Did you go ashore?What other tips or suggestions can you offer?Many thanks.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Not much there on the Delmarva

Assuming you are talking about the part of VA on the Delmarva peninsula. Not much there except skeeters. Real back to nature stuff. We have always done it as an overnight between the mouth of the Cheasapeak and Lewes at the mouth of the Deleware Bay. Try google earth at the google site and you will see what I mean. Several places to hold up if the weather turns bad but not much to write home about.

 

[Ross]

Check Reed's Nautical almanac

As others have said there isn't much there, there. Without local knowledge you can get in trouble. Find a chart of the area of interest, no matter how old, and use that for planning. Then get a new chart for the passage, lights and daymarks change, channels shoal up, storms change the lay of the land.

 

[Jared]

Chesapeake Bay magazine

I think I remember reading about someone who did a trip like this and stopped at one of the harbors in Chespeake Bay magazine in one of the recent issues. I can't remember which month though. It may have been a stop in Chincotegue (sp?). However, I have read in guides such as "Cruising the Chesapeake, a Gunkholer's Guide" and it makes it sound like you should stay away from these places unless you have local knowledge and the weather is good. Then the argument is that if the weather is good, why stop? That book advises to head offshore in bad weather and stay away from coast.