Summer 2018 Vacation (Middle Chesapeake Bay)

importmonkey

Opinionated Member
Jul 9, 2015
1,056
Space Coast, FL
Boat Info
2005 260DA (sold)
2007 44DA (sold)
1989/2015 Hatteras 65c
Engines
12v92TA
Finally booked! Plan to stay at Harrington Harbour South for the first week of July. Would like to check out St.Micheals on a day trip and plan to take the kids to Chesapeake Beach waterpark for a day as well.

Interested to hear any feedback you might have. I think we'll plan to anchor in St.Micheals Harbor and take the water taxi in. Also, looking forward to meeting any CSR members for the 4th festivities!

Cheers!
 
Finally booked! Plan to stay at Harrington Harbour South for the first week of July. Would like to check out St.Micheals on a day trip and plan to take the kids to Chesapeake Beach waterpark for a day as well.

Interested to hear any feedback you might have. I think we'll plan to anchor in St.Micheals Harbor and take the water taxi in. Also, looking forward to meeting any CSR members for the 4th festivities!

Cheers!

What kind of feedback? Day trips, bar/restaurants? Been in that area since early 2000's....
 
How to get into St. Micheals. Can we dock somewhere for the day (preferred) or do we need to anchor and take the water taxi in? Is there enough depth/space to dock at the public dock during the week? Should we try to dock at the museum? Is the museum worth seeing? What are must sees when there? Any good spots for kids (4 and 7 years old)?

Any worries about getting in to/out of Chesapeake Beach and Harrington Harbour South?

Any other tips that might be useful?

Thanks!
 
The maritime museum at St Mike's is pretty cool for all ages. You can only dock there if you're a member, but to many it's worth joining just for that perk. I've sailed over a few times from HH and docked/stayed at The Inn at Perry Cabin which is next door/just past the museum. People do anchor just off from the Inn, but I don't remember a ton of room. The Crab Claw is the "authentic" crab joint...an experience for sure. There are a couple other places down by the town marinas also. I'd call ahead for dockage. We even did a small winery/tasting thing in town on one trip...not sure if that's still going.

Herrington Harbor is a straight easy deep shot in. They just re-opened their restaurant after a long reno. Very resort-like there...the pool can be a zoo as (at least when I had a slip there) they sell memberships to neighbors. Plenty of short trips if you want...just up to Deale and their North Marina. They have a restaurant there or go across the creek to Skippers Pier. A few miles north is the West River and Rhode River. Thursday's and Pirates Cove to eat...Thursdays saves their t-heads for 40+ boats. Crabs, tiki bar etc. Rhode is great to anchor in and chill out (and swim if the jellies aren't in yet.)

You can also go over towards Knapps Narrows and hang out at Lowes Wharf for one of the best sunsets on the bay. You'd grab a ball there and ride Jessie's dinghy in...beach area etc.
 
Herrington Harbor and the Chaney family put on quite a shindig for their 4th of July Celebration. I think they're doing it on the third, so I'd definitely plan on staying there that day.
 
We keep our boat in the Kent Narrows, so St Michaels is a quick day trip and we go there a couple times a year.

My go-to place to dock is Higgins Yacht Yard. It's more of a service-type marina than a nice place for transients, but the location is terrific if you want to walk into town and get lunch.

Also, the Crab Claw restaurant has free docking and you can call ahead to reserve a slip.

If it's a busy weekend it can be difficult to find a place to dock for a few hours. Your idea of anchoring and calling the water taxi sounds good. Their hours of operation seem to be variable but you can call them at (410) 924-2198.
 
Thanks!

I'd love to dock instead of anchor. We'll be going during the week. Is the yacht yard free? Will crab claw allow us to stay all day?

Thanks again!

P.S. I guess I could just call and ask..
 
In a related note...I went to Ketch 22 on Sunday, the new restaurant at Herrington Harbor South. Food was good, I'm sure they're still working everything out too. The menu wasn't super extensive (IMO) at this point...but the place itself has been opened up-much brighter, more windows and the such. The new outdoor bar overlooking the marina and the pool looks amazing. It was raining all day so there weren't many people around though. Very nice upgrade...hope the service is ready for the summer crowds there.
 
Higgins says they are booked. If they have something free up, it'll be $70 for the day to tie up.
Crab Claw says they are booked.
City dock doesn't seem to have the depth we need (4'), so I guess anchoring it is. Gonna shoot for inside the harbor, but may have to sit in the river if it's crowded.
 
Finally booked! Plan to stay at Harrington Harbour South for the first week of July. Would like to check out St.Micheals on a day trip and plan to take the kids to Chesapeake Beach waterpark for a day as well.

Interested to hear any feedback you might have. I think we'll plan to anchor in St.Micheals Harbor and take the water taxi in. Also, looking forward to meeting any CSR members for the 4th festivities!

Cheers!
Taking the same trip with my family next week. Let me know if you have any suggestions.. THX!
 
Herrington Harbor is excellent! Never made it to St.Micheals, but it's okay cause there isn't much there to do with the kids. Chesapeake water park wasn't worth it. Would have rather just stayed at Herrington. We almost didn't leave Herrington. Hope to make it our home port next season.
 
Herrington Harbor is excellent! Never made it to St.Micheals, but it's okay cause there isn't much there to do with the kids. Chesapeake water park wasn't worth it. Would have rather just stayed at Herrington. We almost didn't leave Herrington. Hope to make it our home port next season.
Family spent a night at Herrington South and a night at St Michaela City. Two different experiences, but great nonetheless! Herrington Harbor was perfect with kids and will absolutely do that again soon!
 
Don't miss Foxy's in St. Mike's on next trip, fun place and good fish tacos
 

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