Trip to Ocean City, MD - Looking for recommendations in the area

Alex F

Well-Known Member
Nov 14, 2006
9,166
Miami / Ft Lauderdale
Boat Info
2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
Engines
Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
We’re planning a trip to Ocean City, MD next season. Along the way we’ll stop by Cape May to see some things we’ve missed on our other trips. I think we’ll stay in Canyon Club in Cape May. In regards to OCMD, I’ve heard pretty good reviews on Sunset Marina, so most likely this is where we’ll stay.

I was hoping to get some recommendations on places to stop by and things to do in the OCMD area. More specific questions are:

1. Are there any good place to stay on the hook for a day/night?
2. I was planning to take the open ocean, but is it worth taking ICW and do some site seeing? If yes, which inlet would you suggest?
3. From what I recall there’s not much to do on the Delaware Bay, but I’m open to the option of taking a side trip if you guys can recommend something interesting.

Thanks,
Alex.
 
The last 2 years running this has been my favorite destination. Sunset marina is the place to go. Very, very, very clean, great open air bar with a band. Check it out you woun't be dissppointed.
 
Thanks, topgun. Did you do any stops along the way between Cape May and OCMD?
 
Are you serious?

Based on my knowledge there's nothing, but since I'm not from the area I was hoping to hear something more optimistic than I know. From on your response I'll take it that I should focus on doing a straight run and just explore OCMD?
 
The Delaware bay will kick your ass and take names. no joke.
 
The Delaware bay will kick your ass and take names. no joke.

I'm sure it can, Mike. But, the good thing is that it's much shorter than 120NM and can't get much worst than Atlantic, which kicked my a$$ for about 6hrs coming back from LI to NJ last year. It was some nice learning experience for the crew. Admiral said it was worst conditions we ever experienced.
 
We have taken the boat to OC a couple of times, Sunset is a great place. the only issues is if you have Kids,you can't really walk to town from the marina. As far as i know they don't have Bus service from that area to town. We stayed at the White Marlin Marina, you can walk to the beach, boardwalk etc. Close to may resturants. The only issue is if they put you on the outside of the basin, Whne your outside the basin it can get a little rocky, mainly early in the A.M when the Chaters are headin out, other than that it's great. If on the inside no issues.You could look at Harbor Isle, nice place the run the WMO from there, close to the beach, but not as much activity as at the White Marlin. You can't take yout boat on ICW from the Deleware to OC. No water, a couple low bridges. Bob
 
Alex, the only place to go on the bay is Lewes Delaware. They have a nice public dock and a little town you can walk thru but that's about it. Personally I don't think it would be worth the trip for you. In OC I would recommend the White Marlin if you can get an inside slip but it might be tough to do. It's a very small marina but the location is perfect. I've been there several times on the outside slips and will never do it again unless I can get inside. The boat was constantly rocking and it drove me nuts. If you get a chance, besides going to Seacrets, and if you like cold beer, I would recommend a little hole in the wall bar called The Bearded Clam (Yes I said Bearded Clam). They have the coldest beer on the island. Also would recommend The Harrison House for lunch. Its right on the inlet and they make an awesome oyster chowder right at the bar from scratch. Every bowl is made to order. Oh yeh, and I think there's a boardwalk or something there in between the bars:smt043Have fun, Mark
 
This place is a lot of fun.
http://www.seacrets.com/

Ya mon, Jamaica in MD it does look like a lot of fun. Since we have kids, I guess we can only go here during the day, though. Thanks for the tip.

We have taken the boat to OC a couple of times, Sunset is a great place. the only issues is if you have Kids,you can't really walk to town from the marina. As far as i know they don't have Bus service from that area to town. We stayed at the White Marlin Marina, you can walk to the beach, boardwalk etc. Close to may resturants. The only issue is if they put you on the outside of the basin, Whne your outside the basin it can get a little rocky, mainly early in the A.M when the Chaters are headin out, other than that it's great. If on the inside no issues.You could look at Harbor Isle, nice place the run the WMO from there, close to the beach, but not as much activity as at the White Marlin. You can't take yout boat on ICW from the Deleware to OC. No water, a couple low bridges. Bob


Yes Bob, looking at the charts this section of ICW seams to have enough water only for my dink.

Alex, the only place to go on the bay is Lewes Delaware. They have a nice public dock and a little town you can walk thru but that's about it. Personally I don't think it would be worth the trip for you. In OC I would recommend the White Marlin if you can get an inside slip but it might be tough to do. It's a very small marina but the location is perfect. I've been there several times on the outside slips and will never do it again unless I can get inside. The boat was constantly rocking and it drove me nuts. If you get a chance, besides going to Seacrets, and if you like cold beer, I would recommend a little hole in the wall bar called The Bearded Clam (Yes I said Bearded Clam). They have the coldest beer on the island. Also would recommend The Harrison House for lunch. Its right on the inlet and they make an awesome oyster chowder right at the bar from scratch. Every bowl is made to order. Oh yeh, and I think there's a boardwalk or something there in between the bars
043.gif
Have fun, Mark

Mark,
Rocking in the slip is the last thing I need at 5am. I was thinking on renting a car to go around and explore the area, including the boardwalk. I hope they have similar accommodations like Schooners. Thanks for the tips on restaurants.
 
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I haven't stayed at thw white marlin but Sunset is a first class marina. Well protected in the basin. There are 3 resturant within a 2 min walk. No bus to the boardwalk but I used a taxi that is about $10. I usually leave Manasquan inlet (137 miles to OC) because I had gas motors I stop in Ac or Cape May for fuel. If it's too rough I would stay over in Cape May. Remeber there is low water off the southern coast of NJ so stay off shore and watch out. For my money Sunset is the place to go I'm planning to do a trip this year for the third time in a row.
 
I'm sure it can, Mike. But, the good thing is that it's much shorter than 120NM and can't get much worst than Atlantic, which kicked my a$$ for about 6hrs coming back from LI to NJ last year. It was some nice learning experience for the crew. Admiral said it was worst conditions we ever experienced.


We were in your wake, (from LI to NJ) and it wasn't that bad, for us, since you flatten the seas for us and blocked the winds... I've been in worse, but not for that long... In fact one of the places it was worse was in the Delaware Bay with the wind against the Tide. We had to run the windshield wiper for two hours and it wasn't raining... We have friends that made the trip from Cape May to OCMD and loved it. Not sure if we can make it, I have a bit of disdain with MD since working here keeps me away from my family... We do love to go to Cape May...
 
$10 for a cab beats the car rental and parking hassle. I guess, I'll keep the cab as my primary transportation method.

When I'm traveling along the coast I usually stay couple of miles off shore to be in deeper water and avoid dealing with shoaling and lobster traps.
 
I was doing this trip in a 320 da you can make it no problem.

Oh yeah, we've done a lot of cruising (some with land in site) on our 320DA. It was a great boat. I think I could have done this trip on my 240DA with no issues. OCMD is only about 40NM from Cape May.
 

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