There are a lot of great Atlantic Ocean beaches to visit on the eastern shore of Maryland this summer. There are also interesting and tranquil nature parks and state parks, some with swimming opportunities, in and around Queen Anne’s County and Talbot County Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay. Along with swimming, surfing, bicycling, hiking, and camping you can experience wild horses in their native island habitat, eat salt water taffy until your heart's content on the boardwalk and even search for fossilized shark teeth.
Assateague Island National Seashore: Wild horses, a sandy beach, and some sweet ocean waves make for a perfect day on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. You will find a little saltwater tranquility as you swim in the waters of the Assateague Island National Seashore and share the sandy beach with some unique local wildlife. This 37 mile long barrier island is home to wild horses, white-tailed deer, and sika deer. Shorebirds also make this island their home during biannual migrations. This island is a wonderful place to camp. You will have plenty of things to do. After a day of swimming, and a good night's sleep, you can go crabbing, surfing, fish in the surf, hike, bicycle (on a variety of paved and unpaved trails), and even go horseback riding. You will have to bring your own horse, as the national seashore doesn’t rent horses. You are required to maintain a distance of 40 feet from the wild horses. If you are riding a horse it is suggested to keep more distance, as wild stallions can be aggressive. The State of Maryland manages Assateague State Park, a 2 mile stretch of beach on the island.
Ocean City Maryland: If you are looking for the iconic Atlantic Ocean seaside resort town experience complete with over 10 miles of beaches, a 3 mile boardwalk, and saltwater taffy Ocean City, MD has you covered. The Travel Channel called the boardwalk “America’s Best” and National Geographic placed it in their top 10. After a day of swimming the boardwalk will be calling your name. There is food, shopping, arcades, a roller coaster, a ferris wheel, and much more. Special regulations for skateboarders, bikers, and rollerbladers are in place during the summer to keep everyone safe on the boardwalk. Skateboarders and inline skaters won’t be far from some vertical challenges as the Ocean Bowl Skate Park is just a couple of blocks away from the beach.
Breezy Point Beach: If you are looking for prehistoric shark teeth this summer you may need to look to the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. But look further than Breezy Point Beach in Calvert County. Along with daily fossil hunting, swimming, crabbing, and fishing (from a 200 foot pier) visitors come here to camp…and they show up in great numbers. It is suggested to call ahead before visiting as the beach is closed to traffic after reaching capacity (it often does). The beach is closed to the public on Tuesdays & Wednesdays but still open for campers.
Matapeake Club House & Beach: Located on Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County you will find this sweet little public beach open daily from sunrise to sunset. There is a public swimming area, a picnic area, and a mile long trail that winds through the woods and ends at Dog’s Beach: a swimming destination set aside for your canine companion (dogs are not permitted on the public beach).
Terrapin Nature Park: Located in Stevensville in Queen Anne’s County this nature park is a lovely way to spend part of a day meandering along the sandy shoreline, woodlands, tidal pools, wetlands, and wildflower meadows on this 3.25 mile walking trail on the Chesapeake Bay. While swimming is not permitted, you can enjoy a little tranquility in the shoreline gazebo overlooking the bay and enjoy a picnic in this 276 acre nature park. Fishing is permitted in designated areas.
There are waterfront recreational opportunities for all ages and interests on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I look forward to helping you find your perfect waterfront home in Queen Anne’s County or Talbot County and meeting all of your real estate needs. Contact Chuck Mangold today!
Chuck Mangold