Chincoteague and Assateague Outdoor Activities
by Sam Serio
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, the Virginia Eastern Shore Islands of Chincoteague and Assateague could be the nearest things to Paradise-in Earth you’ll ever experience! If you’re a birder, fisher, or simply someone who just enjoys nature and long walks you can indulge yourself to your hearts content in the islands’ marshes, woodlands and along the beach.
Chincoteague and Assateague Island is a natural resting stop for migratory birds flying south along the Atlantic flyway. The islands also serve as a nesting ground for many species. The Chincoteague Island Refuge contains natural salt marshes, sheltered pines and man-made freshwater nesting areas. Hikers and cyclists traveling the Refuge Wildlife Loop may see herons, gulls, ducks, snow geese, song birds and the endangered piping plover.
Established in 1943 the 14,000-acre Wildlife Refuge is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area. The National Audubon Society designated this area as a Top Ten Birding Hotspot, each season brings different species, and to date more than 320 total species have been spotted.
If you love to fish you will find the surf fishing action along the undeveloped beaches of the Assateague Island National Seashore exciting and productive and as a bonus offering all the solitude you can stand. If you prefer the companionship of other anglers, try pier fishing in the Town of Chincoteague, and if you want real adventure spend a day on a deep sea fishing charter.
Other activities for water enthusiasts include kayaking and canoeing with plenty of places to rent by the day or hour to explore the Island’s miles of waterways, cove, and inlets. For a relaxing sightseeing tour of areas impossible to reach by land take a National Park Service approved Wild Pony Watching Boat Tour, several US Coast Guard Certified Captains operate from Chincoteague.
Finally there are plenty of places to participate in the centuries-old Chincoteague tradition of crabbing and clamming. Several methods work well, a net and baiting line (available at one of the local fishing tackle shops) with some raw chicken will tempt crabs into your net. If you want clams a clam rake at low tide will get good results, or walk along the sands at low tide (see chart) for keyhole-shaped impressions indication clams are directly underneath.
Whether your outdoor interests run to fish or fowl, a trip to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands will not disappoint!
