Things to do nearAssateague Island
Assateague Island, straddling Maryland and Virginia, draws visitors with its roaming wild ponies, pristine barrier beaches, and unspoiled coastal marshlands.
Assateague Island is a 37-mile barrier island shared between Maryland and Virginia, managed jointly by the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its protected status has kept it largely free of the commercial development that defines much of the mid-Atlantic coast, preserving a landscape of rolling dunes, maritime forest, tidal flats, and open ocean beach that has changed little over centuries.
The island's wild ponies are its most celebrated feature. Descended from horses believed to have survived a colonial-era shipwreck or, more likely, placed on the island by mainland farmers to avoid livestock taxes, these small, sturdy animals have adapted fully to the coastal environment. On the Virginia side, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company holds an annual pony swim and auction each summer, a tradition dating back decades that draws large crowds to the region.
Beyond the ponies, Assateague Island offers some of the finest undeveloped beachgoing on the East Coast. Swimmers, surfers, and anglers share the shoreline across different stretches, while birders find the island especially rewarding during spring and fall migrations. Overnight visitors can camp on the beach or in the pine forest, falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking to the sight of ponies grazing nearby.
Few places along the Eastern Seaboard offer such a direct encounter with a coastal ecosystem still operating largely on its own terms, which is what makes Assateague Island worth the trip for anyone drawn to natural landscapes.
7-day forecast
Tips for visiting Assateague Island
Visit during late spring or early fall to enjoy milder temperatures, smaller crowds, and active wildlife along the marshes and shoreline.
Try surf fishing along the ocean side, where striped bass, bluefish, and flounder are commonly caught from the beach.
Bring insect repellent in generous quantities, as biting flies and mosquitoes are persistent from late spring through summer.
Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle the calm back-bay waters on the Maryland side, where herons, egrets, and shorebirds are plentiful.
Keep a safe distance from the wild ponies at all times and never feed them, as they are protected animals and can kick or bite without warning.
Top tours & experiences near Assateague Island
Chincoteague Wild Pony Cruise
Explore island back bays while searching for wild ponies and coastal wildlife
Sunset Ghost Story Boat Cruise in Ocean City, MD
Golden-hour ghost stories with bay sunset views
Private Pony Watching Boat Tour in Chincoteague
Explore island waterways, pony habitat, and local history from the water
Chincoteague Wild Pony Boat Tour
Cruise Chincoteague’s back bays in search of wild ponies and coastal wildlife
Assateague Island Boat Trip & Beach Day from Ocean City
Set your own pace with swimming, beach time, and a boat to relax on
Assateague Wild Pony Kayak Tour from Chincoteague
Paddle from Chincoteague to Assateague to look for wild ponies and lighthouse views
Chincoteague Pony & Bird Watching Boat Tour
Explore remote marshlands while searching for ponies, native birds, and dolphins
Chincoteague Pony Cruise
Search for Chincoteague ponies and coastal wildlife by boat
Private Assateague Lighthouse Cruise
See Assateague Lighthouse and look for ponies on a private island cruise
Chincoteague Wild Pony Cruise
Explore Assateague’s back bays and search for wild ponies by boat
Sunset Boat Cruise in Ocean City, MD
See Ocean City and Assateague Island from the water at sunset
History & Birding Walking Tour in Chincoteague
Walk Chincoteague’s history and birdwatching spots with a local guide
Sunset Cruise Around Chincoteague & Assateague
Watch coastal marshes glow as evening settles over Virginia's barrier islands
Chincoteague Wildlife Boat Cruise
Spacious pontoon cruise with island views and onboard restrooms
Sunset Assateague Wild Pony Cruise in Chincoteague
Cruise at sunset to spot Assateague ponies and coastal wildlife
Birdwatching Boat Tour of Chincoteague
Scan Chincoteague’s coastal marshes for eagles, herons and migratory shorebirds
Dolphin Watching Nature Cruise in Chincoteague
Cruise Chincoteague waters and look for bottlenose dolphins (1.5–2 hours)
Chincoteague Pony Watching Guided Kayak Tour
Paddle remote refuge waterways with a guide and look for ponies and coastal birds
Assateague Wild Pony Nature Cruise
Explore Assateague Island and its coastal wildlife by boat
Chincoteague Island Pony Cruise
Harvest local shellfish and look for pony herds on a full-island cruise
70-Minute Jet Ski Ride in Ocean City
Explore Ocean City waters on the 6-Mile Jet Ski Ride
Chincoteague Island Sunset Pontoon Boat Rental
Cruise Chincoteague Bay at golden hour on a private luxury pontoon
Private Boat Parties And Cruises
Charter the Calico Jack for a private bay cruise with space for up to 32 guests
Chincoteague Pony Swim Pontoon Cruise
See the Pony Swim from a comfortable pontoon boat