The barrier islands that hug the 70-mile coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore are home to wild, unspoiled stretches of beach, delicate natural habitats and remnants of the past left by those who once called this frontier home. You’ll feel like the last person left on earth as you stand on the edge of the Atlantic.
Hire a local guide and boat or kayak out for the day or play captain and set sail for a day on the beach yourself.
About the Islands
There are 14 barrier islands off the coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. They comprise the largest stretch of coastal wilderness left on the eastern seaboard of the United States. They have been designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of International Importance. This barrier island chain is one of only 17 locations in the United States designated as wetlands of international importance.
The islands are owned primarily by The Nature Conservancy and state and federal government and are open for hiking, nature study, swimming and photography during the day. All of the islands except Assateague Island, which you can drive onto, are accessible only by water.
Many of these islands were once home to thriving communities. Island residents farmed, fished, hunted and ran lodges and hotels for tourists to make ends meet. In the 1930s, island residents began fleeing as hurricanes battered the coastline. Many houses from the islands were moved to the mainland and still stand today. You can learn about the history of the barrier islands and their fascinating residents at the Barrier Islands Center.
Getting There
There is no road or bridge to these wild islands. The saying that getting there is half the fun when you travel, is definitely true of a trip to Virginia’s barrier islands. Hop in a kayak or canoe and paddle through salt marsh to the islands or head out with a boat captain who knows more about the barrier islands and the waters that surround them than you could fit in an encyclopedia. Take to the air and get a bird’s eye view. We recommend that you do all three — each experience will give you a unique perspective.
Kayaking
If you want to paddle the barrier islands on your own, bring your own kayak, or rent one here, then follow the Seaside Water Trail. Tackle small sections of the trail or if you’re feeling ambitious, kayak from one end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the other. Enjoy the peace of floating quietly among the salt marshes and bays with wildlife all around.
Learn more about kayaking on Virginia’s Eastern Shore here. See below for details on where to launch your kayak.
Boating
If you have a boat, the barrier islands are really just a stone’s throw away. You can launch from a boat ramp in one of the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s quaint seaside harbor towns and be standing with your toes in the sand on a barrier island in as little as 10 minutes. Pack a picnic, hop in the boat and spread your towel on the sand for a relaxing day on a secluded stretch of beach. Bring your binoculars for some spectacular bird watching or grab your rod and reel for a little surf fishing.
Here’s a list of boat ramps on the Atlantic coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Most are free but any fees are negligible compared to most popular boating destinations.
Guides
You can also hire an expert guide to help you explore the barrier islands. Catch a ride on DayTripper’s boat taxi. They’ll drop you off on Dawson’s Shoals, a sandbar off of the seaside village of Wachapreague, for a beach day. Take a cruise with a licensed captain and certified eco-tour guide who will point out shorebirds and regale you with tales of days gone by on the islands.
Kayaking outfitters can design guided trips out to the barrier islands. You can paddle around Assateague and get a closer look at the famous Chincoteague ponies, kayak out to Metompkin Island and learn about wildlife along the way or book a multi-day kayaking adventure and spend your evenings relaxing on Holly Bluff, the last privately held barrier island.
Learn more about guides or book an eco-tour here.
From the Air
Get above it all and see how the barrier islands form a long strand off the coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. You’ll get a whole new perspective on the barrier islands and the peninsula they protect.
Learn more about air tours here.
Planning Your Trip
Not all of the islands are open to the public. Below is a list of islands that are open to the public with details about allowed activities.
The barrier islands are very delicate ecosystems that serve as an important habitat for migratory birds, are home to protected plants and animals and serve as a buffer for the Eastern Shore of Virginia against storms. These shifting and dynamic sands play an important role in the environment. Please treat this fragile ecosystem with the utmost respect.
- Camping, dogs, vehicles and open fires are prohibited at all times.
- Obey all posted signs to protect nesting birds and other sensitive wildlife and plants.
- A good way to avoid doing any harm is to stay below the high tide line.
- Leave nothing but footprints behind.
- If you bring a picnic make sure to pack your debris out with you and dispose of it properly.
- If you spot any trash while you’re out there, be a good samaritan and pick it up. It will make you feel good and it will keep trash out of the ocean and out of the bellies of wildlife.
The Nature Conservancy
Most TNC-owned islands are open to the public for low-impact, non-commercial, recreational day use, such as swimming, hiking, bird watching, surf fishing and photography. These include Cobb, Godwin, Hog, Mink, Myrtle, Parramore, Revels, Rogue, Sandy, and Smith Islands, and the TNC-owned portions of Cedar and Metompkin Islands. Seasonal restrictions apply. Little Cobb and Ship Shoal Islands are closed to public access. Learn more here.
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Assateague, Assawoman, and the FWS portions of Cedar and Metompkin Islands and parts of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are open for day use with some seasonal restrictions. Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge is closed to public access, but you can take guided tours during the winter months. Learn more here.
VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources
Mockhorn and the state-owned portions of Cedar Island are open for use with some seasonal restrictions. Learn more here.
VA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
Wreck Island is open seasonally to public use and is closed to public access April 15 through August 31. Learn more here.
VA Marine Resource Commission
Dawson’s Shoal is open to the public for low-impact day use. Seasonal restrictions apply. Learn more here.
Comments are closed.