Virginia is for Lovers

  • Welcome

    Welcome

    • About Virginia
    • Welcome Centers
    • VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS
    • Accessible Travel
    • International Visitors
    • Weather
    • Transportation
    • Related Links
    • Weddings In Virginia
    • LGBT Travel
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS SHOP

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Things To Do

    Things To Do

    • Family Fun
    • Historic Sites
    • Eat & Drink
    • Outdoors
    • THEME PARKS & WATERPARKS
    • Zoos & Aquariums
    • Music
    • BEACHES
    • State Parks
    • National Parks
    • CAVERNS
    • Golf
    • SPAS
    • SHOPPING
    • MUSEUMS
    • Arts & Culture
    • LOVEworks
    • Filmed in Virginia

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Events

    Events

    • ARTS & CRAFTS
    • CIVIL WAR
    • CULINARY
    • FAMILY FUN
    • FESTIVALS
    • HISTORY & HERITAGE
    • MUSIC FESTIVALS
    • PERFORMANCES
    • SPORTING
    • WINE FESTIVALS

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Places To Stay

    Places To Stay

    • BED & BREAKFAST
    • COTTAGES & CABINS
    • INNS
    • RESORTS
    • PET FRIENDLY
    • CAMPING
    • HOTELS & MOTELS
    • LODGES & GUEST RANCHES
    • Vacation Homes & Rentals
    • VIRGINIA GREEN

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Deals

    Deals

    • DEALS & DISCOUNTS
    • FALL PACKAGES
    • FAMILY FUN PACKAGES
    • FOOD AND WINE PACKAGES
    • HISTORY DEALS
    • SPRING PACKAGES
    • MILITARY DISCOUNTS
    • ROMANCE PACKAGES
    • TRAVEL PACKAGES

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Store
  • Maps

    Maps

    • Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia - Blue Ridge Highlands
    • Central Virginia
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads
    • Southwest Virginia - Heart of Appalachia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Virginia Mountains

    Follow Us

    Virginia Travel Guide and State Map

    Virginia Travel Guide Covers
    Order Now
  • Accessible Travel

Chincoteague Island

LocationVirginia

Chincoteague IslandChincoteague Island, at the northeastern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, is part of Accomack County. It's known worldwide for wild ponies Marguerite Henry wrote about in the novel, "Misty of Chincoteague," later made into a film.

Chincoteague Island, a tiny fishing town off Virginia's Eastern Shore, is steps away from the Atlantic Ocean by bridge to Assateague Island. The famous Chincoteague ponies live in the Chincoteague National WildlifeRefuge on Assateague Island, easily reached by bike or car from town. The Chincoteague Refuge is Virginia's entrance to an undeveloped 37-mile-long beach. The National Park Service and Refuge offer ranger-led programs seasonally. Spring and fall bird migrations are popular events but the biggest event for the area is held each July when the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company's Pony Swim and Auction brings scores of spectators to the island town. Saltwater cowboys have been rounding up ponies and swimming them across the channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island for auction since 1926.

Visitors to Chincoteague love to dig clams, watch oystermen and compete in saltwater fishing tournaments for cash prizes. "Patriot Oysters," so named when Abe Lincoln sent a Union ship to protect the island's seafood trade, are a must when dining on the island. Water lovers enjoy kayaking, charter fishing and nature cruising. The Chamber hosts events year-round and a lively art scene plays out in galleries and at the restored Island Theatre. Next door on Wallops Island you can see rockets launched into space from the NASA Wallops Visitors Center.

Coastal Living

With its variety of old-fashioned charms, Chincoteague has been called America's #1 Beach Town; a "slam-dunk" for grandchildren and one of America's best island towns.

Coastal Living Magazine voted Chincoteague Island "America's Happiest Seaside Town". 

View our Webcam!

What's Nearby

  • Marshland Charters and Outfitters
    Marshland Charters and Outfitters
    4151 Division St.
    Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Chincoteague Island
    Fairfield Inn & Suites Chincoteague Island
    3913 Main Street
    Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  • Assateague Explorer Pony Watching/Wildlife Cruises
    Assateague Explorer Pony Watching/Wildlife Cruises
    Curtis Merritt Harbor, Slip 14
    Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  • Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises & Expeditions
    Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises & Expeditions
    6262 Marlin Dr
    Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  • Daysail Charters
    Daysail Charters
    Island Marina
    Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

    Area Events

    Weather

    View 7-Day Forecast
      • Tonight
        Clear
        25°F

        Clear

      • Monday Night
        Clear
        34°F

        Clear

      • Tuesday Night
        Partly Cloudy
        41°F

        Partly Cloudy

      • Wednesday Night
        Mostly Clear
        45°F

        Mostly Clear

    Deals & Packages

    View All
    • Special Package

      Kingsmill Resort Stay and Play

      fees vary depending on courses selection and times of the year. Request a quote for pricing.
    • Special Package

      Northern Neck Golf Vacations

      fees vary by season please submit quote request for pricing
    • Special Package

      Virginia Beach Golf Vacation

      Prices vary depending on course and lodging selection. Request quote for pricing
    • Special Package

      Afternoon Wedding

      $595/couple
    • Special Package

      Sea to Stars Ticket

      $25.00-$39.00
    • Special Package

      "Exclusive" Virginia.org Charter Discount

      Varies
    • Special Package

      Boat Charter and Kayak Tour Package

      Varies by tour/charter reserved
    • Special Package

      Sunset Wedding for Two

      $995/couple
    • Special Package

      Jones Collection Featuring The Golden Horseshoe

      Fees vary by time of year and lodging option please call 1-877-806-8163 or request a quote for pricing.
    • Special Package

      Annual Virginia State Park Pass

      See site for details
    • Contact
      Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
      6733 Maddox Boulevard
      Chincoteague, VA 23336
    • Phone
      (757) 336-6161
    • Region
      Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
    • VISIT SITE
    CN20072701P_001.JPG

    Spring in Virginia

    • Lesser-Known Spring Break Spots

      Affordable Family Activities

      Spring Road Trips

      Get Outdoors

      Scenic Wineries for Spring

      Family-Friendly Resorts

      Pick-Your-Own Farms
    Virginia is for Lovers Trucker Hat

    Shop with us for merchandise and gifts

    Shop Virginia

    We Need Your Feedback

    Take our Survey

    Travel Updates

    Success! Get ready to start receiving Virginia.org travel updates.

    Find out why Virginia is for Lovers. You’ll get monthly travel inspiration, insider tips, and itineraries to help you plan your best Virginia vacation yet. Plus exclusive offers, deals, packages and more! Sign up for Virginia is for Lovers Emails now!

    There’s always more to LOVE in Virginia. Please select any topic that interests you!

    About Va
    • Virginia Travel Blog
    • Welcome Centers
    • Cities & Localities
    • Transportation
    • Virginia Is For Lovers
    Contact Us
    • Media/Press Room
    • Send Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
    • DEI Statement
    • Travel Industry
    • Travel Guide Order
    Travel
    • Group Planners
    • Sports Marketers
    • Meetings Professionals
    • Virginia Green Travel
    • Accessible Travel
    Additional Links
    • Virginia Is For Lovers Store
    • Add/Update Your Listings
    • Website Survey
    • Site Map
    • Virginia is for Lovers
    • DiscoverAmerica.com
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • France
    • Germany
    • England
    • Korea
    • China
    • Japan

    Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia ● © 2021 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, VA 23219
    For Virginia citizen and business services visit www.Virginia.gov. ● Virginia Economic Development Partnership visit www.VEDP.org.