A day on Tangier Island

A day on Tangier Island

Grab the ferry at the Onancock Wharf and set off for a day exploring Tangier Island, Virginia. This charming, welcoming island is the perfect introduction to Coastal Virginia. Get ready to enjoy tasty foods, learn unique history, and see a way of life that has been preserved for over 400 years.

Accessible only by traversing the Chesapeake Bay

As Tangier is an island located about 15 miles off the Eastern Shore, the only way to access it is by boating (or flying) across the Chesapeake Bay.

The first step in your journey to Tangier is to cross the Chesapeake Bay. The Island can be accessed by boat or by plane. A popular way to get there is by taking the Tangier Ferry, which leaves out of the Onancock Wharf.

The Ferry leaves at 10am and 5pm daily. The 10am boat returns around 4:30, which gives you most of the day to explore Tangier. The ride is an hour and 10 minutes, give or take, and gives a beautiful view of our lovely Bay.

Welcome to Tangier

As you approach Tangier, the first thing you will notice is all of the crab houses and the friendly boat captains who wave as you pass. A variety of beautiful boats travel in and out of Tangier every day and you will see a variety of sizes and types of boats as they bring in their catches for sorting.

These shacks are like the waterman’s home away from home. Days and nights are spent working (and occasionally resting) in these shacks as they expertly sort and pack their day’s catch.

On Island Time

Stepping onto the Island is like stepping back in time. The folks are friendly and the pace is slow. Ride around on a golf cart from Four Brothers to explore the Island or use a bike. You can bring your own on the ferry or rent bikes from Four Brothers.

Our first stop was the Tangier Island Museum. The Museum is a community effort to preserve the unique history and culture.

 

With stories of the Island dating back hundreds of years, the museum is incredible to walk through. Learn about military operations, English settlements, the preserved waterman’s dialect, and the intricacies of saltwater living. They truly are isolated – the small grocery store is stocked by ships bringing in limited supplies, but otherwise, locals fend for themselves. They have learned to live simply and slowly. It’s not an easy way of life, but it is one that the locals love.

Watch the video which shares information about the history and future of Tangier to learn more. Scan the pictures sharing local stories, check out the old appliances, and see the unique crab with oysters attached to its front that was caught by the mayor of Tangier himself!

The museum also has a game table outside and a gift shop featuring local artists, so everyone in your group will find something to enjoy!

Find it in a book

Just behind the museum is the Muddy Toes Library, which is the local spot for education and reading through books. Be sure to stop in and say hello and maybe find your new favorite beach read!

Off they go!

On our way to the beach, we stopped over at the Tangier Airport to watch the planes take off. On any given day, you will see upwards of 20 planes coming in and out of the Island. If you have a plane, it is a great way to see Tangier and explore!

Hit the Beach

Wind through a small neighborhood and follow the trail down to lovely Tangier Beach. If you are staying at the Bay View Inn, you are lucky to only have a short jaunt out to the sand!

You will notice the sand on Tangier is a little coarser with larger grains than other beaches on the Eastern Shore. It is one of the things that makes this little piece of paradise unique. Sit and stay awhile and enjoy the sound of the waves rolling in.

Check out a Crab Shack

Now, this one can be a little tricky, but if you happen to ask and you’re in the right place at the right time, you just might get an exclusive tour of a local waterman’s crab shack. Not guaranteed, but you never know! The local watermen know the water like the back of their hands. Be sure to ask them about their experiences and stories. You will learn about a lifestyle that is unique to this area and a history you won’t find in any textbooks. 

Dinner Time

Be sure to grab a tasty plate of food from one of the local restaurants or rustle up some fabulous Tangier crabs to steam on your own.

There are so many things to do on the Island that we just scratched the surface. Be sure to check out all the gift shops, restaurants, and churches, and otherwise just explore by bike or golf cart. Bring your kayak and hit the water trail around Tangier (learn more at https://virginiawatertrails.org/eastern-shore/).

Don’t forget your camera! There are so many beautiful spots on the Island and you will have no shortage of opportunities to take incredible photos during your stay. When you get back, be sure to tell us what you loved!