The Most Beautiful Islands in Maryland
Maryland is one of the smallest states in the US by land area, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in many other ways. Located in the Mid-Atlantic region, this state scores high on natural beauty as it is home to many water bodies, including iconic ones like the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. These water bodies flow within and around the state’s boundaries, creating about 281 named islands and several unnamed ones. While some islands are temporary and usually disappear in a few decades or centuries, others have been established as permanent and can be visited, although many remain uninhabitable. These eight Maryland islands are unique with various amenities, making each of them worth visiting for different reasons. So even though the feral horses of Assateague Island are intriguing enough, or the miles of seductive beaches in Kent Island keep you hooked, many more Maryland islands are waiting to be explored!
St. Clement Island
St. Clement Island is located on the Potomac River and represents one of the state’s uninhabited islands worth a day’s trip. The island town is under the 62-acre St. Clement’s Island State Park and is remarkable for its 40-foot stone cross, standing before the reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse and symbolizing freedom of worship in the United States. Additionally, the island preserves the site where colonists first landed in Maryland in 1634, and there's even a plaque to mark the event. St. Clement’s Island also offers recreational activities like picnicking, sunbathing, hunting, fishing, and hiking. To get to the island, however, one must take a water taxi from St. Clement’s Island Museum at Coltons Point, which makes it perfect as one can explore the museum before embarking on the short ferry.
Assateague Island
Assateague Island is undeniably stunning as it stretches 37 miles off the coast of Delmarva Peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This island is home to the Assateague National Island Seashore and Assateague State Park, with two-thirds of the entire area in Maryland while the other third is in Virginia. Both reserved areas that constitute most of the island are home to scenic beaches, bays, marshes, coves, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can swim, fish, kayak, and canoe on the ocean, and hike nature trails into the forest and marshlands. Remarkably, the island houses an impressive herd of Feral Horses, and visitors can spot them on the beaches.
Deal Island
Deal Island is an island on Tangier Sound where history and natural beauty come alive. Accessible by a bridge from the mainland, this island is home to several communities, including Wenona, Deal Island, and Chance, which host hundreds of people. Here, visitors can head to the harbor in Wenona to fish and boat or visit Skipjack Heritage Museum in Chance to learn about America’s oldest functioning sailing vessel. Also, simply walking around the island is satisfying, as it has a rural feel and features laid-back waterfront establishments like Memories Dockside Bar & Grill. For history buffs, the Deal Island Historic District in the village of Deal Island features dozens of historic buildings worth checking out. The Deal Island Wildlife Management Area is also located here, and it invites visitors to explore forested wetlands and see interesting ducks, geese, swans, and other beautiful waterfowls.
St. George Island
St. George Island is a charming destination between the Potomac River and St. George’s Creek, accessible via a bridge from Strait Point. The island is remarkable for being the British headquarters during the Revolutionary War. However, it has since transformed into a tourist destination for birdwatching, kayaking, boating, paddling, and sightseeing. Once here, head to St. George’s Landing to explore the Potomac and St. Mary’s Rivers. Next, proceed to Piney Point across the bridge from the island to visit the Piney Point Lighthouse & Museum, featuring exhibits about the construction and operations of the lighthouse, among other historic highlights. St. George’s Island Beach is also on Piney Point, featuring two miles of gorgeous soft white sands and activities such as swimming, kayaking, boating, sunbathing, fishing, boating, and surfing. Meanwhile, Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse is a popular waterfront diner in the area worth visiting for tantalizing seafood and craft beer after all the adventures.
Smith Island
Smith Island is an island in Chesapeake Bay, made up of three communities - Ewell, Rhodes Point, and Tylerton- and is accessible by boat only. Also known as a watermen's community, this lovely island is a boating and kayaking paradise. However, biking is also an exciting thing to do as there are zero cars on the roads. The island is also renowned for its abundant crabs, and visitors are always welcome to pick some at the Smith Island Crabmeat Co-op. For history lovers, the Smith Island Cultural Center Museum is a great place to visit to return to the island’s history and water traditions. Additionally, Smith’s Island is famous for its delicious cake, which is now the proud official dessert of Maryland.
Kent Island
Kent Island occupies the largest landmass on the Chesapeake Bay, flanked by Kent Narrows and Chester River. It is incredibly beautiful, historic, and full of seafood restaurants, beaches, marinas, and parks, among other amazing things. On the outdoors, the island is home to Terrapin Beach Nature Park, featuring a one-mile nature trail, a pond, and a boardwalk to the Chesapeake Bay, perfect for relaxed tourists to explore. Visitors are invited to Matapeake Lighted Pier and Boat Ramp or Romancoke Pier and Kayak Ramp for water sports and fishing. For history, the island presents the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center on the Kent Narrows waterfront, where visitors can learn about Chesapeake Bay via interpretive exhibits and displays. Before leaving, taste the island's culinary offers at some of its top establishments like Knoxie’s Table, Kentmorr Restaurant, and Harris Crab House.
Tilghman Island
Tilghman Island is a charming island on the Chesapeake Bay that packs a boatload of adventures, sights, and history for visitors. Here, the Tilghman Island Marina offers kayak, jet ski, and boat rentals for visitors to explore the water. Visitors can also explore the island on bikes or simply walk through the tree-lined streets and proceed to spot birds at the Black Walnut Point Natural Resources Management Area. The island also features the Tilghman Island Watermen Museum, where visitors can learn more about maritime life on the island. More interesting attractions on this island include - 2 Vintage Chics (for antique shopping), and restaurants like Marker Five, Two If By Sea, and Tilghman Island Inn Restaurant (for sensational culinary offers).
Solomons Island
Solomons Island is a magnificent and enchanting seaside town in Calvert County, at the confluence of Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. Renowned for its spectacular natural beauty, the island is also full of attractions like the Calvert Maritime Museum, where one can learn about the area’s maritime storied past and ascend a former lighthouse for stunning scenery views. Outdoor buffs have the Patient River and Chesapeake Bay as playgrounds for kayaking, boating, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and cruises. On the side of arts, Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center is on the island, featuring interesting sculptures in a forested area, exhibits, and a walking path. More interesting attractions here include - the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Visitors Center (offering resources about the Chesapeake Bay) and the Lighthouse Dock Bar and Restaurant (offering some of the best meals in the area.
The islands in Maryland are some of the best destinations in the US to visit year-round. With their gorgeous scenery, abundant water sports activities, great seafood, and smaller populations, they are perfectly suited to satisfy every traveler. Ever yearned for a vacation in a watermen’s community where everything seems slower and the water is never out of sight? These islands in Maryland await with open arms to offer you great value for your hard-earned bucks.
