This Quiet Atlantic Coast City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers

The Atlantic Coast is an ideal destination for a nature-centric vacation. Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, this region is blessed with natural endowments that appeal to nature lovers, from a diverse landscape to wildlife and beautiful beaches. Fortunately, all of this coast’s incredible features are packed into one small town right in the good state of Virginia: Chincoteague.

This island town, although small, is home to wetlands, beaches, dunes, shrubs, and maritime forests which one of the country’s most unique animals call home. Named after an Indian word that means “beautiful land across the water,” this island in Virginia was once used for livestock grazing in the 17th century. By 1800, it had become a permanent settlement, and its abundance of fish, crabs, clams, and oysters soon made it a thriving seafood hub. Today, Chincoteague is a quiet and beautiful town on the Atlantic Coast that is perfect for an intimate experience in nature. Read on to learn more about why this quiet Atlantic Coast city remains an underrated gem for nature lovers.

Chincoteague: An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers

Chincoteague is a town encompassing the Chincoteague Island between Wallops Island and Virginia’s portion of Assateague Island. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Chincoteague Bay, this island town is one of the pristine places in the US where nature has been left virtually undisturbed. Here, Chincoteague ponies can be seen roaming on the beaches or swimming in the waters, while migrating birds forage freely in the area year-round. The island’s waters are also excellent for fishing and a network of more than 15 miles of trails wind through the island’s forests, wetlands, and shrubs where sights and sounds of wildlife are common year-round.

This island is a haven for nature lovers and the laid-back ambience makes the experience even more pleasurable. In summer, the town even hosts one of the most unique festivals in the United States where ponies are taken on a swim while people watch. More on that later. Despite its abundance of natural features, Chincoteague is one of the country’s lesser-known destinations and one of the least populated towns in Virginia, with a population of around 3,300. This under-the-radar status, however, is what makes Virginia’s Chincoteague Island the perfect destination for a vacation in nature. Whether you’re looking for where to relax with family, enjoy entertaining bird shows, or sharpen your kayaking and fishing skills, this quiet Atlantic Coast city is a must-visit.

Natural Attractions And Experiences On Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague Island is just seven miles long but it packs a long list of natural attractions to offer. When visiting these attractions, especially in the summer, be sure to carry bug repellent, carry a camera, and wear protective clothing for a pleasant experience. With that said, here are some of the amazing natural attractions and experiences that make Chincoteague Island such a paradise for nature lovers.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Chincoteague is most famous for its namesake Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a 14,000-acre area located on nearby Assateague Island. This wildlife refuge is characterized by dunes, salt marshes, shrubs, beaches, and maritime forests, which accommodate a diverse population of wildlife, particularly the famous Chincoteague pony. These feral ponies are the main attractions on the island and number about 150 individuals. Other types of wildlife that call this refuge home include red fox, white-tailed deer, ghost crab, sika deer, and raccoons. Several birds such as songbirds, woodpeckers, brown pelicans, black skimmers, and ducks also inhabit this area.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge also has more than a dozen miles of nature trails offering easy access to its varied landscapes and wildlife. The 0.15-mile Black Duck Trail is just one such trail that connects to the Woodland Trail and offers sights of turtles, songbirds, and a couple of small mammals. At the 1.75-mile Woodland Trail, hikers will walk through a pine forest to an overlook which sometimes offers a good view of Chincoteague ponies. The sights and sounds of woodpeckers and the adorable Delmarva fox squirrels are added pleasures to enjoy on the Woodland Trail.

The Beach

The mile-long beach in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of this island’s most appealing natural attractions. Known as Assateague Beach, it is one of the few places in the world where feral ponies can be seen roaming freely with their young ones on a beach, without people on their backs. This undeveloped white sand beach is tranquil, and excellent for seashell collecting, surf fishing, crabbing, sunbathing, and swimming.

Pony Penning

Perhaps one of the most famous festivals in the US, the Pony Penning has been held annually on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July in Chincoteague since 1925. Also known as the Pony Swim and ideal for nature lovers, this event involves a literal pony swim held on Wednesday, a pony auction on Thursday, and a pony swim back to Assateague Island on Friday. The event actually kicks off during the weekend before the pony swim, with a round-up of the Chincoteague ponies by Saltwater Cowboys on Assateague Island. On Monday and Tuesday, the ponies are led to the beach and vetted before the swim to Chincoteague Island, after which some are auctioned.

Meanwhile, the Chincoteague Fireman’s Carnival will be open from 7 pm throughout the pony swim week, and feature food, games, and rides. Keep in mind that this event is held to help control the island’s feral pony population and also as a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, whose Saltwater Cowboys take care of the feral horses year-round. Notably, the July 2025 Pony Pennings will mark the event’s 100th year and it promises to be unforgettable.

Fishing

The waters around Chincoteague are ideal for fishing year-round and visitors can fish from the pier at Chincoteague Veterans Memorial Park or Robert Reed Waterfront Park. Both parks also have boat ramps from where visitors can launch into the waters for deep-sea fishing. Fishing gear can be purchased from local shops like Captain Steve’s Bait & Tackle and there are many charter boats in town for more guided fishing tours in the open waters.

Surf fishing can be enjoyed at the beach in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge or from designated areas of Toms Cove and Swan Cove. Keep in mind that a Virginia Saltwater License is required to fish on the beach. Species to catch in the waters around Chincoteague include flounder, striped bass, trout, yellowfin tuna, and drumfish, among others.

Nature Cruises and Kayak Tours

Cruising is one of the best ways to witness all that Chincoteague has to offer. These cruises offer unobstructed views of the island’s unspoiled nature and its famous ponies. In addition to the feral horses, the sights of dolphins, bald eagles, and shorebirds are common on these boat tours. Disney’s Island Cruises is one of the top tours on the island worth experiencing as passengers aboard will enjoy listening to the area’s history while taking in the sights. Barnacle Bill’s Boat Tours is another worthy mention as its hosts are incredibly knowledgeable about the area.

In the meantime, kayaking is an exciting and more relaxing way to explore this island from the waters and see Chincoteague ponies. Visitors can bring kayaks when visiting or rent kayak gear from Chincoteague Island Outfitters and get into the waters from one of the boat launches like the Queens Sound Boat Ramp, Donald Leonard Park, and Veteran’s Memorial Park. Snug Harbor Marina & Resort also offers a large selection of kayaks for rentals as well as kayak tours around Chincoteague and Assateague waterways.

Bird Watching

Chincoteague is a paradise for bird lovers as the island is part of the Atlantic Flyway, which is a major north-to-south flyway for migratory birds in North America. Year-round, especially in Spring and Fall, this island is visited by thousands of birds on their journey in search of food, rest, and breeding grounds. Year-round, some 300 species find refuge on this island including geese, herons, egrets, sandpipers, osprey, terns, and many more. Whether you’re visiting in Spring, Summer, or Fall, there are always lots of birds to see on Chincoteague Island, and kayaking and boating, are the best ways to see them.

A Year-Round Sanctuary For Nature Lovers

Chincoteague Island is an excellent place for nature and relaxation. And Chincoteague itself is a quiet Atlantic Coast city that forever remains an underrated gem for nature lovers. At all times, this island has something interesting to offer nature lovers. Summer is usually the most popular time to visit Chincoteague, particularly because the famous Pony Swim is held in July. However, Spring and Fall are also excellent times as they offer more laid-back experiences and amazing bird-watching opportunities. Winter is also a great season to visit Chincoteague Island for an even more tranquil experience. While this might not be the best time to kayak due to the cold-water temperatures, the crowds are significantly lesser, and visitors will still get to see lots of migratory birds and wild ponies. Moreover, winter is an ideal time for relaxing beach activities like seashell and sea glass collection, and sunset watching.