Questions for Chesapeake Sailors

[NiceAft]

We are starting to think about heading to the Chesapeake for two weeks again this coming June.

Last June we went down the Delaware to the C and D canal and down the Chesapeake. We went to Havre de Grace, Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michael’s, and back.

This coming June we would like to stop at other spots on the Eastern Shore besides St. Michael’s. Rock Hall seems interesting. Has anyone explored the eastern side of the Chesapeake?

This June we plan on starting at Havre de Grace and skipping the Delaware and the C and D.

[Chinook]

We have cruised on Chesapeake Bay twice, most recently during our 2015-16 Great Loop trip. Descriptions of where we visited can be found in the Great Loop blog. On the Eastern Shore St. Michaels was a big favorite. If you go further south, I think Smith Island is a must see. I can't help you regarding Rock Hall, since we didn't stop there. On the west side, we loved visiting Annapolis. At the mouth of Patuxent River you'll find Solomons, which is a major sailing hub. The Calvert Marine Museum there is well worth seeing, with many historic vessels and exhibits. Pick up a cruising guide for the area and you'll be enticed by all sorts of interesting places.

[NiceAft]

Thanks Mike.

We were at Saint Michaels last summer, and will go back.

The information about the Calvert Marine Museum peaked my interest.

I will seek out a cruising guide.

Please give regards to Sandy

[Chinook]

Always good to hear from you. I'll share your greetings with Sandy. Check out the Waterways Guide for Chesapeake Bay. It's pretty good.

[Seapup]

Depends what you are looking for. For St michaels the south side off broad creek is nice little calm creek anchorage with dinghy dock. From there its a short sail up the Tred Avon to Oxoford (we anchor in the shallows near the cemetary behind town) and another short sail to Cambridge which is larger. Heading south there is not much for about 30 miles so we usually cross over to solomons (Ok but busy) or Point lookout st park (anchor in cornfield Harbor) at the mouth of the Potomac. Crossing back to the eastern shore we generally stop at tangier (smith has really emptied out the last few years) and then Onancock (another nice town) on the eastern shore.

Another nice trip without as much open water is the Potomac. There are parks and places to stop about every 10 miles, so you can stop a couple places in a day. Heading North - Point Lookout, St. Marys (my wifes favorite), daystop at Piney Point (museum/park) and St Clements Island, (beautiful park) Overnight in Leonardtown, Daytrip to Westmoreland Park (we generally anchor off the cliffs to explore anchor just south of fossil beach) and overnight in Colonial Beach.

We generally head north up the bay second week of June and come back down mid july. Its great time on the bay since there is still good winds before the dog days of summer begin.

[NiceAft]

Great info, thanks:

If we can go, we are leaving from Havre de Grace mid to late June. Depends on when my wife’s last day at school where she works is. Last day is quite accurate; after 25 years as a high school guidance counselor, she is retiring.