Assateague Island
4.8(666)google
4.5(226)yelp
IslandBeachWildlife WatchingBird WatchingCampingPhoto SpotMust-See
Overview
Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. The northern two-thirds of the island are in Maryland, and the southern third is in Virginia. The entire island is designated as Assateague Island National Seashore, though management is shared by three entities.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 days
Best TimeMay through October is prime time. Mid-autumn (October) is particularly exceptional due to fewer mosquitoes and mild weather. Head to the bayside marshes around 5:30 PM for a spectacular sunset, offering a dramatic silhouette of the world-famous wild horses roaming the coastal dunes.
Getting ThereDriving is essential as there is no public transit to the island. From US-50, transition onto MD-611 S and follow it to its southern terminus across the Verrazano Bridge onto the island. Once across, stay on Bayberry Drive to access the various oceanfront parking lots.
Travel Tips
- Wild horses roam freely but bite and kick; federal law strictly prohibits approaching within 40 feet, and feeding or touching them triggers a minimum 500 USD federal fine.
- The island interior suffers total cellular dead zones; download offline maps beforehand and carry a tire deflator, tow strap, and shovel if entering the Over-Sand Vehicle zone.
- Saltmarsh mosquitoes and biting horseflies blanket the island in summer; standard repellents fail completely, making 30%+ DEET military-strength sprays mandatory.
Reviews
Positive
- An unforgettable and unique landscape! Seeing the wild horses roam freely against the backdrop of pristine sand dunes and the Atlantic ocean is mesmerizing.
- An outdoor paradise; beyond ocean swimming, you can kayak through the calm bayside marshes to spot abundant coastal birds and blue crabs.
- The nature trails feature beautifully constructed wooden boardwalks with rich educational signage, making it fun and informative for all ages.
- Perfectly preserves a raw, anti-commercial atmosphere with zero high-rises, offering incredibly dark skies for stargazing and catching the Milky Way.
Heads up
- There are virtually no commercial dining or grocery facilities on the island; if you don't pack your own food and gallons of water, you're stranded.
- Most scenic deep spots require trekking through deep, loose sand for long distances, making it exhausting for elderly visitors or families with strollers.
- The ubiquitous wild horses leave horse manure and swarms of flies all over the sand, leading to unpleasant smells and sanitary concerns in hot zones.
- Due to its global fame, mid-summer weekends see high crowd density on the main shores, packed with umbrellas and making it tough to find quiet isolation.