SAILING DESTINATIONS
Just saying .....
There are some easier ways to sail on the Chesapeake Bay that involve flexibility, looking at the weather and not being set on a schedule. Generally it makes for easier and quicker sailing if you don't head into the wind (I know, like duh). So if your itinerary includes Baltimore and Solomons Island and the wind is forecast to come out of the North at 15 knots, it makes sense to go to Solomons first, even though your original plan was Baltimore first. Generally the winds clock around so it should be favorable to go to Baltimore in a few days. With the caveat that the weather is not an exact science. Here are some popular destinations on the Bay.....
Lots to do, lots of restaurants and shops and lots and lots of boats, don't forget the Wednesday night races either.
About two hours from our marina.
Baltimore inner harbor has it all within walking distance: Tall ships, first rate aquarium, shopping, museums, Orioles baseball, Ravens football .....
About a half day from our marina.
Lots to do, lots of restaurants and shops and lots of boats. There are a number of nice anchorages on the Miles river on the way as well as in St. Mics.
Saint Michaels, home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, is worth a visit or two. They have many special events throughout the year.
About a half day from our marina.
Rock Hall Harbor is a busy party spot with a few marinas. Nearby Swan Creek is quiet and idyllic with good anchoring and more marinas. Rock Hall crab cakes are first rate.
About a half day from our marina.
Galesville
Sailing center for cruisers, J-boats and small racing catamarans. Plenty of protected anchorages and some good restaurants.
About two hours from our marina.
Rhode River
The Rhode River, right off the West River, is a popular anchorage for a good reason, it's idyllic with a beach on a small island. Gets crowded on weekends.
About two hours from our marina.
White Hall Bay
A great anchorage for a party, close to Annapolis, has a beach and is very picturesque.
About two hours from our marina.
Classic Eastern Shore charm. Quiet and idyllic. Home to the Oxford Yacht Club and the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry which was established in 1683. The trip from Oxford to Saint Michaels on bike, taking the ferry, is very popular and actually quicker than sailing there:)
About 3/4 off a day from our marina.
Cambridge is another colorful Eastern Shore town with some grit to it. You can tie up in the protected harbor there, first come first serve. My favorite is the J.M. Clayton Co. for crab meat.
About 3/4 off a day from our marina.
Knapp's Narrows
Knapp's Narrows is not only a shortcut to Oxford and Cambridge, it also leads into the Choptank river with many creeks and coves. Dunn cove, just north of Knapp's on the Choptank side, is one of those Chesapeake Bay spots where you can spend a day or two leisurely anchored up and forget about the rest of the world. Tilghman is home to the world's oldest working skipjack, the Rebecca T. Ruark and it doesn't get much more Eastern Shore than this.
About 3 hours from our marina.