VIRGINIA - The state of Virginia offers a variety of islands to visit. From Tangier Island to Myrtle Island, a few options are available when planning a vacation. However, a few things to keep in mind before you set out.
What Are The Best Islands in Virginia to Visit
1. Chincoteague Island Virginia
Visiting Chincoteague Island is a must-do for anyone looking for an idyllic beach vacation on the eastern coast of Virginia. This small, salty island is home to many types of wildlife. There are wild ponies, dolphins, and other marine creatures to see. Chincoteague is an immaculate, friendly town. It does not have any chain stores or high-rise buildings. The main street is quaint and small, but there are some great restaurants. There are some fantastic seafood dishes to try, including oysters. Other restaurants serve a variety of steaks, Asian food, and pizza.
The Chincoteague Museum is a great place to learn about the area's history. There are several replicas of Misty and Stormy and a First Order Fresnel Lens from the lighthouse. The Chincoteague Main Street Partnership hosts markets, events, and other cool things to do. These include a Chincoteague Island Rendezvous, which features exhibits of decoy carvers and local seafood dishes. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is another great place to visit. This is where you can see many animals, including dolphins and sika deer. It is also home to a large number of birds and butterflies.
2. Assateague Virginia
If you're looking to plan a trip to the Virginia coast, you'll want to make sure that Assateague Island is on your list. Located on the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland and Virginia, Assateague Island is one of the largest natural barrier islands in the middle Atlantic states. There are many things to see and do here. Assateague Island is home to several wildlife refugees. It is also home to many birds. Some more widespread species include the great blue heron, egret, and snowy egret. You may also spot some raptors and brown pelicans.
Assateague Island is a great place to go for a swim. There are several lifeguarded beaches in the park. These beaches offer a variety of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. It's important to remember that you should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Assateague Island is also home to the world-famous wild ponies. These horses are believed to have come from a Spanish galleon that sank on the island. You'll have the chance to witness them in action during a wildlife tour. You can also find out about their history.
3. Cedar Island Virginia
The Cedar Island, Virginia, the beach is a hidden gem. It's uninhabited but has an incredible landscape and wildlife. It's an ideal location for birdwatchers and fishing enthusiasts. You can reach the island via a ferry ride. The Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge is 11,000 acres of brackish marshlands. It's home to more than 270 birds, including the rare and endangered Brown Pelican. It's also great for boating and kayaking. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is working to restore 216 acres of marsh on the island.
Visitors to the island can enjoy an outdoor adventure course, horseback riding, and a week-long ponies festival. There are also public boat ramps and launching facilities. The island's beaches are vast, with interesting shells and fossil finds for beachcombers. There are also charter businesses for inshore and offshore fishing. If you want to learn more about the island's birdlife, visit the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harkers Island.
4. Tangier Island Virgina
Located in the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, Tangier Island is one of the few remaining isolated islands worldwide. This tiny village is home to around 700 residents. The town is comprised of two neighborhoods. The main street is a channel between the two. The locals speak a distinct dialect throughout the town that dates back to the Elizabethan era. Although the village is small, it has several amenities. There are restaurants, an ice cream shop, and a grocery store. The area also offers a variety of tours. There is even a health center.
The island is also known for its crab fishing community. Most residents make their living from crabbing and oysters. The town has one school for kindergarten through 12th grade. During the summer, tourists can rent bicycles to explore the island. They can even tour the historical museum, which is free. Visitors can also rent a golf cart for self-guided exploration. The island is surrounded by marshes and tidal flats, which make it a perfect place for wildlife. Many species live in these areas, including glossy ibis, clapper rails, and several heron species.
5. Myrtle Island Virginia
If you're looking for a family-friendly beach getaway, look no further than the Grand Strand in South Carolina. This area has a rich history and many attractions to offer. Whether you're into water sports, sunbathing, or amusement parks, you're sure to find plenty to please your family. The beaches of the South are famous for their sand, waves, and fun. You can spend days swimming, scuba diving, and sunbathing. The oceanside boardwalk in Myrtle Beach is also a must-see.
Myrtle Island is a barrier island off the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It is one of the few islands that remain undeveloped. The Nature Conservancy owns this island. While you can visit the island on foot, it's best accessed by boat. This island is an excellent destination for surfing, boating, and crab fishing. You can find a bike rental for just a few dollars, and there are some excellent B&Bs available. You can also get a guided tour. If you're into history, you'll want to check out First Landing State Park. This 3000-acre reserve is filled with protected freshwater Cypress Swamps and a beautiful boardwalk.
6. Hog Island Virginia
If you're looking for an exciting place to visit in Virginia, Hog Island is an excellent choice. It is a barrier island located on the Virginia Eastern Shore. Unlike many other islands, Hog Island is completely uninhabited. The island is owned by The Nature Conservancy and is open to visitors. Several trails take you around the island. Some areas are closed to visitors. This barrier island has a unique history. Historically, Hog Island was part of a network of natural barrier islands that protected Virginia's Eastern Shore from storms. A community flourished on the island in the mid-19th century. However, the island was abandoned in the 17th century. In the 1930s, hurricanes drove the island's residents to the mainland.
Today, it is one of 14 barrier islands in the Virginia Coast Reserve. It is the most significant stretch of wild coastline on the Eastern Seaboard and is now a national conservation area. The nature conservancy purchased most of the island 28 years ago. A few structures remain on the island.
7. Gwynn’s Island Virginia
Gwynn's Island is an island on the west shore of Chesapeake Bay. It's located at the mouth of the Piankatank River. This 3.5-square-mile body of land has been home to people as early as 10,000 years ago. For a long time, the island centered on agriculture and fishing. However, by the late 19th century, it had become a recreational destination. During World War II, the demand for seafood increased. The Great Depression slowed the fishing industry, but the economy remained strong. The Chesapeake and Atlantic Steamboat Company began using Callis Wharf for passenger and commercial travel.
By the late twentieth century, the population of Gwynn's Island had increased to around 600. In addition to the fishing and farming industries, a second-home economy developed. In 1990, 49 percent of the island's population was 50 and older. The island community became active in raising funds to construct a ferry. This allowed the island to connect to the mainland, and the community built its first post office in 1883. Today, Gwynn's Island is a peaceful community that offers visitors plenty to see. The island's public pier is being rebuilt, and a restaurant is in the works. There are also several hiking trails.
8. Fishermans Island Virginia
Fishermans Island, Virginia, is a beautiful island at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. This is one of the best places to watch birds. You can only access the island by boat. There are also some trails. The area has lots of beaches and a marsh. The eastern shore of the United States is full of barrier islands. These are sandy strips of land with marshes on either side. These islands are often used as wildlife refuges. The beaches and marsh are essential for bird migration.
Fishermans Island is the southernmost island in the Delmarva Peninsula chain of barrier islands. It has been a significant stopover for migrating birds and a nesting site for waterfowl. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region manages the island. It is closed to the public during the nesting season. Guided tours of the island are available on Saturdays during the months of October to February. These tours include a walking tour through the woodlands to the beach.
You must follow all posted rules to ensure the safety of the wildlife. The island can be a challenging place to visit during the winter. The winter months are the best time to view water birds, including Snow Buntings, American White Pelicans, and a variety of shorebirds.
9. Wallops Island Virginia
Virginia has many islands, but a few stand out from the rest. Wallops Island, located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, is a barrier island. It is also home to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Wallops Island has had a storied history. It was the site of an airfield during WWII. Since then, it has been a launch facility for small rockets. In recent years, the facility has received millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades to accommodate more significant launches.
While visiting Wallops Island, you may have the opportunity to see a rocket launch. A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket is scheduled to carry a Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS on Sunday morning. The launch will be visible across the Mid-Atlantic from North Carolina to New York.
