Chesapeake Bay Destinations

Greg

Greg

Active Member
Mar 27, 2008
1,310
North Jersey
Boat Info
2003 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
QSM-11's
I'll be heading to the Chesapeake this year for two weeks and am looking for the places I 'need' to see. I'll be coming in from the bottom of the bay, and working my way up to the C&D.


I've searched and found a few posts about some different areas, but thought it might be good to have a concise thread with all the spots.


I will be taking off from July 23rd to August 7th, with any luck Alex may be able to join us for at least part of the trip.


Some of the places I've read about so far:

Havre de Grace
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31581


Chesapeake City
I actually stayed here one night while bringing the boat home from the Chesapeake.

Annapolis

Rock Hall

Baltimore

Tangier Island

St. Michael's

So where are everybody's favorite spots, towns, activities, sights, restaurants, etc...
 
All that you listed are great places to go. I would add Solomons and Herrington Harbour to your list. Chesapeake City is a one nighter. Definitely St. Michaels. Not sure about Tangiers, we went to Crisfield this summer and it was a waste of time IMO.
 
Last edited:
Herrington Harbor South is a great marina, you won't regret stopping there... Also, we love to anchor in Fair Lee creek in the upper Bay...
 
Awsome, I will add these to my list, what about crabbing? I have a couple of crab pots, should I bring them? thought it might be neat to do some crabbing while there. Any good spots, or rules about that?
 
From the looks of your thread you have got some good destinations picked out. Since you are coming from “bottom up” I would make a stop at Solomon’s Island first as you come in. From there I would hit the Cambridge Hyatt Marina, then St Michaels. At St Michaels my personal preference is the Harbor Inn marina, sure you have to walk the harbor basin to get to town, but I like the facilities there. Others like the town side, personal preference. From St Michaels, head across the bay to Annapolis. I like the Annapolis Yacht Basin as my marina, short walk to town and “Ego Alley” is right there. From Annapolis, it would be the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina, downtown Inner Harbor. There is a lot to see and do in Baltimore so you would like a couple of nights there. At that point you can go straight across the bay again to Rock Hall, and then finally Chesapeake City on the way home through the C&D.

If you like to anchor out Fairlee Creek and Still Pond are good places for that. Both are on the Eastern Shore and would be short ride from Rock Hall. Depends on your “company” preference, if you like the loud and rowdy type go to Fairlee, put if you prefer the more mellow party crowd (like me) go to Still Pond, although Still Ponds secret is starting to get out.

PS, if you go on our clubs website you will find a ton of pictures of some of these places in our photo album section. We have several trips planned for this season as well, all of which we go with a group of boats.
 
Last edited:
rcknecht said:
Herrington Harbor South is a great marina, you won't regret stopping there... Also, we love to anchor in Fair Lee creek in the upper Bay...
Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry I should have said South, Herrington Harbor North is a working yard.

I'm sure Tim will chime in soon. He's the mid to upper Chesapeake Bay destination authority. :thumbsup:
 
Greg said:
Awsome, I will add these to my list, what about crabbing? I have a couple of crab pots, should I bring them? thought it might be neat to do some crabbing while there. Any good spots, or rules about that?
Click to expand...

I can tell you that in Maryland, only those residents that own a pier can use two commercial crabpots tied to their pier. So don't bother to bring yours!

Great thread also. I'll be borrowing some of these destinations this coming season, now that we have a cruiser that can get away and visit some of these places.

I too would suggest Solomons Island, MD...

Enjoy!
 
Great Idea to put all of this in one post:smt038. I'll be heading for a week long trip the first week in August. We'll be leaving Tulllytown for Chesapeake City, then to Rock Hall and across the bay to Baltimore. Hoping to catch on O's game while we are there, my son is a huge fan! What are the time frames from Chesapeake City to Rock Hall and then Rock Hall to Baltimore? Figure an average cruise speed of 20-25mph.

An a seperate note, how long and challenging of a trip is it from the mouth of the C&D canal to Cape Charles? We have relatives down there and eventually would like to make the trip.
 
Here's my reco... your plan is pretty thorough.

On the way up stop at the Tides Inn in Irvington, VA. Then Solomons. I'm a Spring Cove guy, but many like Zanheisers and/or Solomons Yachting Center.

From there go to the Hyatt in Cambridge ONLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS UNDER 13 AND/OR YOU LIKE TO GOLF. If your wife likes to "spa" then that's a plus too.

A day trip through Oxford on the way to Knapps Narrows would be a nice touch. Stay in Knapps for the night.

Then jump across the Bay to Herrington South for a day or two.

From there go to Annapolis. Ego Alley is the place to be. City dock, a $2/ft is first come first serve. You can make reservations at the old Fawcetts dock for #$3/ft.

From Annapolis, go to St. Michaels. You will need a reservation to stay at either of the two small, but excellent, marinas.

From St. Micahels cruise up through Kent Narrows on your way to Rock Hall.

After Rock Hall, cross the bay to Baltimore.

From Baltimore you can go up the bay and across to either of the excellent anchorages on the Eastern shore that Bill mention (Fairlee or Stillpond).

From there, Havre de Grace, Chesapeake City and done.

Wow. That is a lot. If you want to linger more in each spot, I would cut out, in this order: Knapps Narrows, Herrington Harbor, Rock Hall and Chesapeake City.
 
Greg said:
Awesome, I will add these to my list, what about crabbing? I have a couple of crab pots, should I bring them? thought it might be neat to do some crabbing while there. Any good spots, or rules about that?
Click to expand...

Cantlers(sp) near Annapolis... You go by boat... There is a place in St. Michaels a Restaurant near the Mueseum...
 
If my first stop in the Bay is Solomons that looks pretty far up the Bay. How long a run do you suppose it is from Chincoteague Island to Solomons?

Is there anywhere in between to stop?

I was thinking of stopping at Chincoteague to see the Ponies swim on the 27th of July. Has anyone ever gone there to know if it is even worth it? I wonder how much else there will be there.

http://www.assateagueisland.com/ponyswim/ponyswim.htm
 
Greg said:
If my first stop in the Bay is Solomons that looks pretty far up the Bay. How long a run do you suppose it is from Chincoteague Island to Solomons?

Is there anywhere in between to stop?

I was thinking of stopping at Chincoteague to see the Ponies swim on the 27th of July. Has anyone ever gone there to know if it is even worth it? I wonder how much else there will be there.

http://www.assateagueisland.com/ponyswim/ponyswim.htm
Click to expand...

How are you going to get to the Atlantic City 2011 rendezvous if you are out puttering around the Chesapeake Bay?
 
Greg;
I have done the Chesapeake cicle a number of times. The prevailing wind is from the south at that time of year. I would go up the Delaware down the Chesapeake and them back up on the outside, it will be a much better ride. Your kids will love Ocean City MD. You should stop at the Tides in Irvington and of course Norfolk. The Watersie marina is close to all the attractions and it is easy to get to Portsmouth as well. Enjoy the trip.
 
You need the 'Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay' published by Chesapeake Bay Magazine. Well worth the $40. I don't have their web site but Ph. 410 263 2662.
Note on Chesapeake City, it is a small town with great restaurants. The C&D museum is interesting. The main attraction is the Chesapeake Inn, so popular you need to book a slip over a month ahead. Or, you could anchor in the cove and shuttle in.
The old Schaefer's Canal House has new owners again, they say it will open by July. Schaefer's was the mega yacht spot on the C&D. But after ten years of disrepair and two bankrupt owners it will take mega bucks to reopen.
 
Last edited:
I plan on making the trip from Clearwater Fla. to Baltimore in late April. I moved here from Maryland 26 years ago and have the desire to go to a few Orioles/ Rays games at Camden Yards by boat.. It might just be the most expensive trip ever to a ball game ever but sure will be scenic. Any recommendations about stops on the way appreciated.
 
mistercomputerman said:
How are you going to get to the Atlantic City 2011 rendezvous if you are out puttering around the Chesapeake Bay?
Click to expand...

Do we have a date yet? I was hoping it would be the weekend of the 23rd again, then I could stop on my way by. I guess as long as it is not the middle weekend I can stop on my way out or on my way back. I was looking at Virginia Beach as a possibility also...

Mr Salt said:
Greg;
I have done the Chesapeake cicle a number of times. The prevailing wind is from the south at that time of year. I would go up the Delaware down the Chesapeake and them back up on the outside, it will be a much better ride. Your kids will love Ocean City MD. You should stop at the Tides in Irvington and of course Norfolk. The Watersie marina is close to all the attractions and it is easy to get to Portsmouth as well. Enjoy the trip.
Click to expand...

Hmm, That is good information, I may have to reconsider my dates and try to reverse my loop. I was looking at Norfolk on the map, I think I need to take more than two weeks now.

giff1 said:
You need the 'Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay' published by Chesapeake Bay Magazine. Well worth the $40. I don't have their web site but Ph. 410 263 2662.
Note on Chesapeake City, it is a small town with great restaurants. The C&D museum is interesting. The main attraction is the Chesapeake Inn, so popular you need to book a slip over a month ahead. Or, you could anchor in the cove and shuttle in.
The old Schaefer's Canal House has new owners again. Schaefer's was the mega yacht spot on the C&D. But after ten years of disrepair and two bankrupt owners it will take mega bucks to reopen.
Click to expand...

I was looking at that book, saw it on their website. I guess I will get it. Thanks.

http://www.chesapeakeboating.net/
It's over on the right under Quick Links

Oh, so many places, so little time...
 
I just got in from checking on my boats. Started reading this thread - thanks now I won't be able to sleep. Again, whoever comes down this way let us know. I think it would be fun to get together for a few.
 
Searaybio270 said:
I just got in from checking on my boats. Started reading this thread - thanks now I won't be able to sleep. Again, whoever comes down this way let us know. I think it would be fun to get together for a few.
Click to expand...

Bush River. Is that near Aberdeen Proving Ground? Is there anything to see there or is it all off-limits?

Maybe we need to organize a Chesapeake Bay CSR Rendevous?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,162
Messages
1,427,520
Members
61,069
Latest member
Peter61
Back
Top