Located on the southern tip of Delmarva Peninsula, Chincoteague Island lies just offshore from the Virginia mainland. Protected by Assateague, an eastern barrier island, Chincoteague Island can be viewed as a stepping stone to the much larger Assateague. Despite its small size, Chincoteague makes up for its smallness with a string of big festivities. Famous for its wild ponies and delectable clams, the annual Pony Swim and auction is held in July, and the island’s legendary clams and oysters are revered during an October festival. Also during the fall, some of the east coast’s prolific artists and decoy carvers display their marvelous work. You won’t have to wait for a festival to enjoy the island’s fine seafood, with numerous eateries and restaurants spaced throughout the seven mile long island.
   The adjacent Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors miles of undeveloped beaches and island forests. For nature lovers, recreation activities range from bird watching to surfing, and kayaking to nature cruises. A short trip to the Assateague Lighthouse offers close-up views and tours of the 1833 beacon.
   This cool evening view from the Cedar Gables Seaside Inn captures a picturesque scene of Little Oyster Bay, showing the quiet beauty of Virginia’s only island resort.

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