February 25, 2023
If you’re looking for an authentic Chincoteague experience, then check out a boat tour with Captain Dan. He’s been navigating the island since before he could walk and can show you all its hidden gems! When I first was exploring Chincoteague a friend recommended taking a boat tour with Captain Dan. It was mid June and I called to schedule a tour. Once you make your reservation you will get instructions to easily find the dock and where to park nearby on Chincoteague Island.
Captain Dan’s Boat Tour Intro
Arriving at the dock was a moment of excitement and anticipation, especially when we were graced with Captain Dan himself! Our small group jumped aboard his cozy pontoon vessel, ready to embark on our exploration. Of course no coastal adventure would be complete without playing it safe – so checking the weather forecast beforehand is vital (especially in unpredictable June!). A quick application of sunscreen combined with my hat and light jacket ensured I was prepared for whatever Mother Nature brought us that day!
While pushing off from the dock, we headed south around the island. You could immediately see why Captain Dan gets so many great reviews. He mixes interesting local facts, history, and comedy along with stories from ventures past. I had a camera along and starting snapping away…
Chincoteague Island Nature & History
Above you can see a view of the bay as we headed south. Being mid week there were a few other boats out but overall the traffic was not heavy. Below you can see a couple shots of some birds along the way.
The early sightings of nature were a sign to come. I think everyone onboard was excited to explore the waterways and discover what was around the next corner. Would we see dolphins or even the famous wild ponies of Chincoteague?! Here we see one of the many duck blinds found throughout the water and marshland. Captain Dan told us about these small structures and about how the area is a huge destination for duck hunting. In fact, there is a yearly event called the Easter Decoy and Art Festival in Chincoteague that is now in its 42nd year. You can learn more about the event here: 42nd Annual Decoy and Art Festival
As we neared the end of the back bay and started to turn the corner (above) we saw a bunch of construction happening at the old site of the Inlet View campground. This was back in 2022 when the construction was in its early stages. This property is now called Sun Outdoors Chincoteague Bay and is set to open on June 1st 2023. The property is getting a complete overhaul with the addition of glamping tents, cottages, a fishing pier, boardwalk, pool, and of course space for rvs.
As we went through the inlet and headed towards the bay sitting between Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island, Dan told us about the history of this sea side town. We quickly learned how the local seafood (oysters, clams, fish), beach, nature, and wild ponies are all really what put Chincoteague on the map. It is interesting to witness the charm of this island town, it feels small, almost like you found a hidden gem on the coast. In reality, it is known worldwide and draws in large crowds throughout the summer. On top of that, Coastal Living Magazine at one time voted Chincoteague as “America’s Happiest Seaside Town”. If you are looking for a different place to explore, I would highly recommend it. Chincoteague is more quaint than it is commercial, a quality not easily found on the coast!
While the weather so far was sunny, hazy, and wam… the breeze started to pick up and the sky ahead started to darken. We all love beautiful weather but I was intrigued by the opportunity for adventure and the uncertainty of the seas. After all, we were in good hands with Captain Dan who is as experienced and as seaworthy as any captain around. Forward we went, now in pursuit of some wild pony sightings. As we checked by Captain Dan’s secret spots we came across the Chincoteague Lighthouse. Side note, you can also hike into the lighthouse for photos from the road on Assateague Island. Assateague is actually the home for the Chincoteague Ponies. They stay there year round except for the yearly Pony Swim where they are brought over to Chincoteague Island. Here are a few shots along the way while we searched out the ponies.
We found the Chincoteague Ponies!
Around the next bend we got our first glimpse of the Chincoteague Ponies! They were out grazing in one of the fields. You could feel the excitement rush throughout our group as we all started taking photos. Most of us don’t get to cross paths with wild horses and they are as majestic as you can imagine. While it was a huge success to finally find the ponies, they were a little far away so we continued on.
The dark weather now rolled in and things got a bit foggy. It actually ended up perfect timing to capture these moody photos of some cabins out on the water. These were likely used for oyster, clam, duck hunting, and fishing over the years. Perhaps this first one would make for a nice fixer-upper…
Soon the weather passed through and we were on to the next spot in search of the wild ponies. This next location did not disappoint! Captain Dan found a herd of wild ponies closer to the water. They were unbothered by our presence as they grazed in the field. As I was taking photos I noticed something moving to the right in the brush. Out came a young foal! It was very cute and a great reward for our search.
Next we headed back to the marina and ran into Captain Dan’s son leading another tour, next some dolphins enjoying the bay.
Captain Dan’s Boat Tour Recap
All in all this was a great way to explore and learn about Chincoteague. I would recommend taking the tour early in your trip so that you can get ideas and tips on where to explore for the rest of your vacation. Captain Dan has a few boats in his fleet but we would recommend booking ahead of time to make sure you have a spot. Have you had a tour on land or at sea in Chincoteague that you think we should try next? Let us know, reach out on social media. We love to hear about your adventures!
Travel Tips and Facts:
- Book well in advance to reserve your day/time: Chincoteague Boat Tour Booking
- Bring bug spray, sun screen, and a light jacket (maybe more, check the weather).
- There is a bathroom on the boat
- Plan for a few hours for your tour
- Places to stay:
- Enjoy the journey!
