This quaint fishing village nestles south of the Maryland border as a barrier island on the eastern shore.

Chincoteague (population 3,572) is Virginia’s only resort island and is a sanctuary to many migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. This town also features some beautiful shoreline nature trails.

Windswept and remote, the village is gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, famous for its lovely beaches, birdwatching, and wild ponies. Established in 1943, it has many trails that trace the shoreline to Swan Cove and Snow Goose Pool. Every July, the ponies are herded across Assateague Channel for their annual swim to Chincoteague Memorial Park.

In the village, the Refuge Waterfowl Museum recounts the move to save these once-endangered birds.

Further down the boulevard, the Oyster and Maritime Museum displays maritime life and chronicles the history of its local industry.

From Virginia Beach to Chincoteague, take US-13 across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Access is only by car.