Hanging on the hook in the Chesapeake Bay

JustUs2

JustUs2

New Member
Jul 8, 2009
135
Kent Island, Md
Boat Info
2011 450 Sundancer
Engines
CMD 380's - Zeus
My wife and I like to spend the weekend hanging on the hook in a nice quiet cove somewhere. It's been a while since I've been boating and I was wondering what some of the better spots are in the Chesapeake Bay?
 
JustUs2 said:
My wife and I like to spend the weekend hanging on the hook in a nice quiet cove somewhere. It's been a while since I've been boating and I was wondering what some of the better spots are in the Chesapeake Bay?
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Can you be a bit more specific? That's like saying "Can you give me some nice places to eat in Italy?". Where are you based on the Bay?
 
I second that...

The bay is pretty big. I know some about the Back River area near Hampton.

There are a few that anchor in the Northwest branch. Up the York river is always nice.
 
Good points, we are based on Kent Island so we are pretty well centrally located. We currently live in Northern Virginia (but born and raised on the eastern shore of Md.) and plan on coming down on weekends.

We used to travel up the Chester River to Chestertown, sometimes to St. Michaels, a lot of times to Tilghman Island (my parents live there). Been to Hart Miller Island (who hasn't), and have taken a few trips up to Baltimore Inner Harbor.

This time around, we'd like something a little more secluded. Spend Friday night at the slip, cruise around on Saturday, find a nice place to drop anchor, through some steaks on the barby, a little swimming, soak up some rays, spend the night, putz around again on Sunday, then head back Sunday evening. We don't mind cruising around so pretty much anything within a few hours of Kent Island is within range.

Thanks for the tip on Mill Creek Cove. We'll definately check it out.
 
Back Creek on the Magothy can be romanic and semi-private...and is less than an hour from Kent Island. For swimming it can be hit-or-miss with the jelly's this time of year.

Swan Creek just North of Rock Hall (as of the 4th no Jelly's) is also a decent anchorage. If you don't mind a large crowd/many other boats anchored around you Farlee Creek is a little further north and is pretty much Jelly free all the summer.

If you really want to go private the Little Choptank river has some great anchorages (ie. Hudson Creek) but this time of year anywhere south of the Bay Bridage will definitely have jelly's.
 
JustUs2 said:
Good points, we are based on Kent Island so we are pretty well centrally located. We currently live in Northern Virginia (but born and raised on the eastern shore of Md.) and plan on coming down on weekends.

We used to travel up the Chester River to Chestertown, sometimes to St. Michaels, a lot of times to Tilghman Island (my parents live there). Been to Hart Miller Island (who hasn't), and have taken a few trips up to Baltimore Inner Harbor.

This time around, we'd like something a little more secluded. Spend Friday night at the slip, cruise around on Saturday, find a nice place to drop anchor, through some steaks on the barby, a little swimming, soak up some rays, spend the night, putz around again on Sunday, then head back Sunday evening. We don't mind cruising around so pretty much anything within a few hours of Kent Island is within range.

Thanks for the tip on Mill Creek Cove. We'll definately check it out.
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For what you are looking for... (now this is going to be a shocker): Stillpond.

And Mike, there are now jellies in Swan Creek by the way...
 
It's been a while but I do remember going up the Sassafras river quite a while ago. If memory serves, nice and quite, no sea-nettles.

Thanks for all the advice.
 
Add Wye River to your list. Short run from Kent Island and many quiet, secluded coves. You will have jelliues by this time of year so not ideal for swimming.
 
Sue Creek just off the entrance to Middle River is nice. A good storm hole as well.
 
I think a lot depends on what type of weekend on the hook you are looking for. If you are looking for a quite time then bypass Fairlee Creek and head just a little further north to Still Pond. Still Pond had two good areas for anchoring and swimming, if you are planning to spend the night there on the hook follow the channel marker going in and head into the back section. The front section has some good swimming but it is a little exposed to the bay, the back is very secluded and sheltered for a quite evening.

If you are a party person, then head into Fairlee Creek, lots going on there and you can never tell what you will see next…. Oh my eyes! :smt009 Fairlee Creek presents an interesting approach coming in, you will think you are about to go into the beach.

If you are in the area an evening just floating at Maxwell Point in the Gunpowder River is really nice. Just next to APG, there is plenty of water there is no need to drop anchor if you are just staying a couples of hours to have dinner and wine and watch the sunset behind you.

I would not recommend spending the night at Hart Miller or Pleasure Island, but it is a decent spot for afternoon swimming. It does get a bit choppy with all the boat traffic going by.

One thing about the Chesapeake Bay, you can find many places for enjoyable boating. We have just begun to do our exploring, but we generally prefer to spend the evening in a Marina rather than on the hook. Enjoy.
 
Thanks Bill. Party sometimes, but mostly enjoy the peace and quiet.

Reminds me of a funny story though. We're anchored in St. Michaels Harbor when a big windstorm comes up (we were in our 10 ton 40' Silverton Aft Cabin). Our anchor breaks loose and we are being pushed out of the harbor sideways rather rapidly. I run out on deck and up onto the bridge. I look over and see that we are barreling down on a 20 ft sailboat that is anchored outside of us. As I frantically try and get the engines started, I look down (we're real close now) and see a guy standing on the bow of the sailboat holding out a 10 ft aluminum boat hook. Well, I got the engines started and was able to move out of his way. But to this day I wonder what he thought he was going to do with that boat hook?
 
I'm so glad I found this thread! New member here. We just bought our boat this Spring and are keeping near Kent Island. Have 2 little ones so we're looking for similar places, especially where we can get close and have a beach for the kids to play at? Found Conquest Beach up the Chester, but looking for other suggestions. Sorry, not trying to hijack, just trying to get a little more specific on the beach part.
Nice to find the Chesapeake crowd, maybe we'll see you out there!

1994 270 Sundancer, 5.7 w/ BII drive.
 
No worries mate! I'm new as well (we settle tomorrow on a 330). Been boating most of my life but this will be my first Sea Ray. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for some nice beach suggestions as well.
 
Some of my notes from Chesapeake cruising. We have two pre-teen daughters so we need to throw some fun in there for them sometimes. We like to do marinas and anchor out, with other boats and alone.

Annapolis- we live on the Severn River in Annapolis. It is a very pretty river with many great creeks for very quiet anchoring. Homes line the shores. Of course downtown Annapolis is a wonderful town with docking at the city docks and Marriott, moorings available with a good water taxi.

St. Michaels- always a nice place. The anchorage is a little rough and you can be a little far out for a dingy ride. There is a good water taxi service. We usually like to stay at a marina and eat out on the town. We have stayed at the St. Michaels Marina and the Harbour Inn Marina. Both are good with nice facilities, small pools, loaner bikes, restaurants and great staff. The St. Mikes one is a closer walk to main street, the Harbor one is the quieter, more resort one. Both marinas have avg-high prices, $3.40 per foot with $110 minimum per night. There is a working marina as well with minimal facilities- Higgins Boat Yard I think.
http://www.stmichaelsmarina.com/
http://www.harbourinn.com/

Oxford- the smaller, quieter St Mikes. Good close in anchorage. Town can be overwhelmed with sailors if it is a race weekend. There is a small working marina with minimal facilities.

Cambridge- we have only stayed at the Hyatt Marina. It is a great place for a young family with three pools, waterslide, free putt-putt, three restaurants, very good marina and facilities. Not a good walk to town. Avg-high price marina. There is in-town docking but we have not done it. http://www.hyatt.com/gallery/chesamarina/

Herrington Harbour South- a very nice, well done place. Beach,big pool, restaurant, bar, great landscaping, picnic areas. Avg price marina. http://www.herringtonharbour.com/transient-south.html

Rhode River- a nice anchor spot, small islands to adventure to off of Camp Letts and Smithsonian Research Center which is thousands of acres of undeveloped land. Good wildlife watching.

West River- many good quiet spots to anchor.

Fairlee Creek- a huge party scene, been there done that.

Chester River- good anchoring, some barren beaches to adventure to.

Whitehall Bay- rough anchorage, some barren beaches to adventure to, Cantler’s Restaurant close by, as good as crab joints get.

Sassafras River- a very pretty river.

South River- a pretty river with many good creeks to anchor. Anchor on Beards Creek and watch the airplanes and sea planes take off in the morning or be woken up by them. Some restaurants and marinas along the river. Homes line the shores.

Magothy River- a pretty river with many good creeks to anchor, some islands to adventure to.
 
Bodkin Creek George said:
Quiet Week End spots on the Chesapeake are becoming a premium. Now quiet week day spots are a lot easier to find. One of the benifits of being retired.
George






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George,

We are headed down your way next weekend. We made a reservation at Pleasure Cove Marina for next Saturday for me and another boat. I am looking forward to a peaceful weekend for a change.
 
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