Potomac and Chesapeke Bay Boating

[RobnBern]

Hello all....2 weeks ago, I helped a friend bring his 34' express down the bay from Annapolis and back up to the upper Potomac near Aquia. I hadn't been on the bay in 5 years. The trip was a great adventure but it got me to thinking about new destinations and how to "boat" out there. I'm used to calm river boating. Raft ups etc. The bay doesn't seem to be a good place for that sort of thing. So, for those of you on the lower Potomac and the bay, where do you go?? From my marina on the Occ to the bay is roughly 90 miles. We're looking for new adventures, especially when we get the 480DB, we'll no longer get into our ol' faithful like Belmont or Mattowoman. Thanks

 

[IslandTime]

Hello all....2 weeks ago, I helped a friend bring his 34' express down the bay from Annapolis and back up to the upper Potomac near Aquia. I hadn't been on the bay in 5 years. The trip was a great adventure but it got me to thinking about new destinations and how to "boat" out there. I'm used to calm river boating. Raft ups etc. The bay doesn't seem to be a good place for that sort of thing. So, for those of you on the lower Potomac and the bay, where do you go?? From my marina on the Occ to the bay is roughly 90 miles. We're looking for new adventures, especially when we get the 480DB, we'll no longer get into our ol' faithful like Belmont or Mattowoman. Thanks

I can speak for the rappahanock river if you want to come down the bay a bit -we really enjoy overnighting at the Tides Inn in Irvington as well as across the river in Urbanna at Urbanna town marina . Windmill point at the mouth of the rappahanock has decent facilities and a nice tiki bar and bands most weekends.
Have also made the trip down the bay and up the York river a bit to York river yacht haven -plenty to do there with an outdoor tiki bar -great indoor seafood restaraunt -pool and live entertainment
Lots of other great spots in Hampton and tidewater as well as up the bay at solomons island -that's on this summers bucket list .

 

[Gunn]

Nearest to you that we enjoy visiting is Sharks Tooth Island in Nomini Bay, on the VA side across from St. Clements Island in the lower Potomac. A popular hangout on the weekends, it's a sandy mini barrier island that is lined with boats enjoying the beach. Breton Bay and the town of Leonardtown, MD has a nice renovated wharf and a short walk to downtown (a couple of bars and a few restaurants). And then up the Bay a bit...Solomon's Island.

 

[Tonygoodhands]

I live in northern VA but have kept my boat on the Chesapeake Bay for 13 seasons and I'm often asked why when the Potomac is so close. I've never owned a boat as large as yours (largest was a 35 LOA Silverton) and even with my 28 footer I enjoy the flexibility that the bay offers. I'm on the South River which affords me calm river boating, sometimes much calmer than the Potomac I might add. Plus there are many more picturesque rivers that would be within your range if you kept your boat in the greater Annapolis area. In addition you'd have all the bay has to offer as far as destinations, St Michael's, Baltimore, Solomons, Oxford well I could go on forever really. My opinion is if you are looking for new adventures, and you have a grand boat like a 480DB then the Bay is the place to be. I guess I sound a bit snobby but I'm really not. The Potomac just seems to have fewer options to discover.

Wishing you the best with the new boat and hoping you enjoy your travels!