Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a serene coastal destination that is ideal for a scenic water trip, whether in a kayak, on a stand-up paddleboard, or in a canoe. It’s a peaceful way to revel in the views of salt marshes, sandy beaches, quiet coves, shallow bays, and native wildlife.
Whether you have your own watercraft or need to rent a kayak or canoe, you have lots of options for a paddle on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. A good place to start is Virginia Water Trails, an informative web resource that features interactive maps, water safety tips, local tides and currents, and even tips on how to hire an ecotour guide for an interpretive outing on a water trail.
When you’re ready to get out on the water, here are three fun and family-friendly ways to ensure a day well-spent with a paddle.
Paddle for Ponies in Chincoteague
Finding the wild ponies that call Chincoteague home can be tricky since they are fenced in at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. One option is to book a beginner-friendly, guide-led kayak tour through the island’s grassy marshes and coastal waterways with Assateague Explorer. Keep your eyes open for ponies, as well as dolphins, bald eagles, and egrets.
Paddle & Pedal in Onancock
Burnham Guides is a seasonal paddling shop at Onancock Wharf, which rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for a chill paddle on Onancock Creek. The shop also books guided kayak tours that range from a two-hour paddle on Onancock Creek, including a history of this port town, to a full-day paddle out to deserted barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean. The shop also rents cruiser bikes for pedaling on the quiet streets in town.
Paddle to Concrete Ships in Cape Charles
At Kiptopeke State Park in Cape Charles, bring your own watercraft or rent a single or tandem kayak on site to paddle the Chesapeake Bay out to a small fleet of nine concrete ships that date to World War II. The crumbling ships, which once served as transport and training vessels in the South Pacific, today act as a breakwater, protecting Kiptopeke’s sandy beach and wooden pier. They also serve as a home for local marine life and migratory birds.
Before you set off with a paddle, check out Wandering Waters Paddle Quest, an initiative started in 2023 by Virginia State Parks to get more people out on park waterways. Participants can earn prizes like stickers, patches, mesh gear bags, and a cellphone dry bag.
Feature image courtesy Assateague Explorer
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This story originally ran in our May issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
