Snug Harbor Marina on Chincoteague Island

07/12/2026

Come on a Chincoteague boat tour with Captain John and explore the barrier islands. Get to see the wild Chincoteague Ponies in their natural habitat! This is a photo Captain John shot during his island tour. He got up close and personal with Riptide, the most famous living Chincoteague Pony.

07/11/2026

PONY SWIM AVAILABILITY! We have been sold out for Pony Swim week for over a year but we just received a last minute cancellation for 1BR waterfront cottage ( sleeps 4, 5 nights minimum). Only minutes away from the actual Swim location. Here is your chance! :) Call 757 894 9822 for details.

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07/11/2026

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the only eagle species unique to North America, widely recognized by its dark body and striking white head, a feature that earned it the name from the old English word balde meaning "white-headed." These apex predators possess an impressive wingspan of up to 7.5 feet and have eyesight four to eight times sharper than a human's, allowing them to spot small prey from miles away. As opportunistic feeders that primarily target fish, they can dive at speeds up to 100 miles per hour to sn**ch meals from the water. They are also famous for building the largest nests of any North American bird, creating massive stick structures called eyries that can measure up to 10 feet across and weigh over 2,000 pounds as pairs add new material to them year after year.

As a deeply rooted icon, the bald eagle was officially adopted as the national symbol of the United States in 1782 and generally mates for life after performing spectacular cartwheeling aerial courtship rituals. Juvenile eagles lack the iconic look of their parents, sporting a mottled brown plumage that takes four to five years to transform into the classic white head and tail. While the species faced near extinction in the mid-20th century due to habitat loss, hunting, and the eggshell-thinning effects of the pesticide DDT, it became a legendary conservation success story. Following strict federal protections and a 1972 ban on DDT, the population made a spectacular recovery, leading to the bird's official removal from the endangered species list in 2007.

This photo was taken by Captain John Shields from Snug Harbor Boat Tours. Captain John spotted one of the first bald eagles in the Chincoteague area when he was only 9 years old. Captain John has a love for birdwatching and loves to show visitors the barrier islands around Chincoteague. If you want to go birdwatching the only person to call is Captain John.

07/11/2026

Cormorants are highly specialized, fish-eating waterbirds found worldwide on coastal shores and inland waterways. Unlike most waterfowl, they lack fully waterproof feathers, a unique trait that reduces their buoyancy and allows them to sink and swim rapidly underwater. Some types can dive as much as 100 feet deep to hunt, tracking fish in murky water using specialized, highly acute underwater hearing. This Double-crested Cormorant can dive up to 30 feet.

Because their plumage absorbs water during hunts, cormorants are famous for their signature wing-drying pose. You will frequently see them perched on rocks or branches with their wings spread wide to dry their feathers and aid digestion. Up close, these seemingly dark birds reveal striking features, including glowing aquamarine eyes, bright yellow-orange facial skin, and neon blue mouths. On land, they walk clumsily because their legs are set far back for swimming, but they are powerful flyers that travel in energy-saving V-formations.

These birds are colonial nesters that raise their young in massive, tightly packed groups. They build bulky nests of sticks and seaweed, and parents uniquely incubate their pale blue eggs by holding them directly on top of their webbed feet. Because they are highly efficient hunters, humans have interacted with them for centuries; traditional fishermen in parts of Asia still practice "cormorant fishing," using trained birds to catch fish.

Captain John from Snug Harbor is the best tour guide for birdwatching around Chincoteague. He has been navigating these shorelines for over 50 years! Call today to book your adventure!

757-894-2431

07/11/2026

Taking a nature tour on Chincoteague Island is an unforgettable experience because it grants exclusive, up-close access to the area's famous free-roaming wild ponies and thriving marine life. The wild ponies are not fenced in but the people that go to the park are fenced to keep the public away from the ponies. A guided boat or kayak tour allows you to glide directly along the marshy shores where the ponies graze and play. These excursions navigate hidden tidal creeks and restricted areas of the ⁠Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge that are completely inaccessible by foot or car, putting you in the perfect position to witness the island's raw, untouched beauty.

The experience is deeply enriched by the dynamic coastal ecosystem and the expertise of local guides. On a single trip, you are highly likely to spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins surfing the wake, bald eagles nesting in the pines, and rare migratory shorebirds hunting in the shallows. Captain John is the best, he is a local who can decode the complex saltwater environment, share local folklore. Whether you choose a peaceful sunrise paddle or a relaxing sunset pontoon cruise, these tours offer unparalleled photography opportunities and an intimate connection to nature that you cannot find anywhere else.

07/10/2026

Captain John Shields of Snug Harbor Marina Tours is widely considered the best tour guide in Chincoteague, Virginia, leveraging over 50 years of experience and deep local roots to provide authentic, story-driven excursions. Utilizing shallow-draft pontoon boats, he accesses narrow marsh channels to offer intimate encounters with wild Chincoteague ponies, dolphins, and bald eagles.

Focusing on small group sizes for a personalized experience, his tours departing from Snug Harbor Marina are highly regarded for their intimate, tailored nature, ranging from scenic sunset cruises to dedicated wildlife spotting.

07/09/2026

Beautiful sunset this evening! Chincoteague island has the best sunsets! This best way to see these incredible sights is take a boat tour along the islands!

Chincoteagueaccommodations.com

07/08/2026

Captain John explores the coastlines in search of the wild Chincoteague ponies. Captain John has been navigating these waterways since he was 7 years old.

07/08/2026

Chincoteague Pony Swim! Only a few weeks away! Are you coming to the most exciting event in Virginia?

The 101st Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning runs from July 25 through July 31, 2026, beginning with the Southern and Northern Herd Roundups on Saturday and Sunday, followed by the scenic Beach Walk on Monday morning, and veterinary checks on Tuesday.

The world-famous Pony Swim takes place during slack tide on Wednesday, July 29, where the herd crosses the channel to Chincoteague Island and parades to the Carnival Grounds ahead of the Wild Pony Auction on Thursday, July 30. The week concludes on Friday, July 31, as the remaining adult ponies make the Swim Back to Assateague Island, with the Fireman's Carnival offering rides, games, and local food every night starting at 7:00 PM.

For all the Pony Swim information you must visit the premier travel guide for the island, Chincoteague.com.

Photo credit- Josh Jordan

07/07/2026