Itinerary for Chesapeake Bay Cruise

[Cruiser2B]

Sailneters,

Wife and I are planning a 10-12 day cruise on the chesapeake for later this year. We will leave from Norfolk and head for Annapolis where we will stay for 2 days. We have a dinghy and are looking forward to some secluded areas(anchorages) to stop on the way to and from. We would like to stop on the western side of the bay on the way up and east on the way back. Our boat drafts 4.5 ft. We are gonna hit the Solomons for sure and probably deltaville or close to. Please help us decide where to visit and why you like it. We have the Ches bay guide...but I know you all know where the nice spots are!

Thanks in Advance

[DRFerron]

Cruiser,

Check out the Chesapeake folder in the Destinations topic. There is a ton of good information there.

[Flybyknight]

You may or may not be interested in:
smithtrail.net
but we're doing it piecemeal.
Dick

[epaolino]

a good resource to keep on board when in the bay is the
Guide to Cruising Chesapeake Bay 2011 EditionBy the Cheasapeak Bay Magazine.


I use it all the time.

[T37Chef]

Perhaps this will help you out...

Southern Chesapeake Bay Cruise 2010

and

Chesapeake Bay Cruise 2009

[T37Chef]

I would add a few favs we visit...

Western Shore:

- Rhode River, the weekends can be busy but during the week it should be pretty quiet. The Smithsonian owns much of the land around it. Note High Island is now gone pretty much, just watch your chat
- Solomons, Zanihizers or Spring Cove if you want a marina. Zans has moorings of your prefer. The Calvert Maritime Museum is wonderful
- St. Leonard Creek, past Solomons up the Patuxent. You will see for yourself

Eastern Shore:

The Wye, shouldn't be missed, Dividing Creek is a favorite spot. Great to explore by dingy as well. You could spend several days here.

St. Michaels, the Maritime Museum is a great time. Some good restaurants. Splurge for a night at The Inn at Perry Cabin

Oxford, the more laid back and less commercial version of St. Michaels. Anchoring off the public beach is where we usually end up.

If you think you'll go North of Annapolis...Still Pond, Worton are worth the extra distance. With 4'6" draft you could try sneaking into Still Pond Creek, but the entrance is tricky. Fairlee Creek is worth it off season. Let us know if you want more info

[chef2sail]

I would add Cackaway ISland on Langford Creek, Greys Inn Creek, and the Corsica River all up the Chester River about 4 hours from Annapolis.

Also Broad Creek on the Magothy River
Rock Hall
Shaw Bay on the Wye River

[GeorgeDog]

We headed south from Annapolis in June. Here are a few brief thoughts:

Rhode River: Great secluded anchorage.
Solomons Island: Very nice maritime museum but otherwise not impressed.
Cod Harbor, Tangier Island: Incredible, secluded beach.
Onancock: Nice town. Mostly antique stores and good restaurants. Very good town marina. Small but fun waterfront.
Tangier Island: Working waterman’s harbor. Cool village once the tourists leave on the ferry. Nice people.
Corrotoman River, east branch: Nice anchorage. Quiet.
Urbanna: Very good town marina. $15 for showers, laundry, pumpout, fresh water, and washdown. Enjoyable town. Good for kids.
Rappahannock River Yacht Club: Small and nice. New pool.
Cape Charles: A favorite. Beautiful new town docks. Nice village with great pubs. Great playground. Excellent beach with volleyball.
Yorktown: Another favorite. Great city docks right on the wonderful Riverwalk. Nice beach. Beautiful area.
Oxford: Very nice town but barely enough to fill a day.
Duns Cove: Convenient anchorage next to Knapps Narrows. Lots of boats.
Magothy River: Great protected sailing. Nice waterfront (lots of trees). Crowded anchorages.
Baltimore: Nice waterfront but totally unimpressed with the city docks. Poor service. Incorrect information. Commercial music blasting across harbor until 1am.

-Chris

[sailordave]

Well, DEFINITELY St. Mikes and Oxford. Down in your neck of the woods if you haven't already been, you need to do Mobjack Bay, esp. the East River. VERY protected anchorages, quiet, pretty scenery.

On your way up the bay make certain you stay clear of the no-go zone around the LPG facility north of Cove Point!

WEST River by Thomas Pt. Light is nice

Rock Hall on the Eastern Short north of the Bay Bridge is nice; watch your draft.

[DRFerron]

On the way from St. Michaels we anchored in Claiborne Inlet at Tilghman Point in Eastern Bay. Very nice and cozy. Not too much traffic.