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Chincoteague Island: The Pride of the Shore
May 2013
By Elise Patterson
Virginia’s Eastern Shore boasts small towns with big opportunities for nature lovers and beach goers. The tiny peninsula is home to nature reserves and all manner of waterfront fun. Chincoteague Island is perhaps the Shore’s most famous asset, due in large part to the popular children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague. The island is home to its very own breed of wild pony, and as such the populated portions of the island boast dozens of inns, bed and breakfasts, and historic houses with their very own Chincoteague pony grazing out front, often accompanied by signs boasting that the horse is descended from Misty herself.
The island’s yearly pony penning draws thousands of visitors, and while officially this year marks the 89th annual pony swim, the event has actually been happening for hundreds of years. A well-known local myth holds that some four centuries ago, a Spanish galleon crashed just off the island’s coast, forcing the herd of horses aboard to swim ashore. The ponies have lived in Chincoteague’s marshes and beaches ever since, adapting over time to the harsh marshy environment and limited food supplies; in 1994, the ponies were officially recognized as a distinct breed. The island’s most famous attraction, the pony penning, was first mentioned in 1835 and even then was described as an ‘ancient’ tradition. In its current form the event begins when the Island’s “Saltwater Cowboys” round up the ponies. The two separate herds (comprising 150 ponies) are then combined and swam from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island and paraded down Main Street. The foals are then auctioned off to help control the herd size (which cannot rise above 150 ponies). Chincoteague Island is famous for the Pony Swim and Pony Penning, and few Eastern Shore traditions are as widely known and loved. Former Chincoteague local, Hazel Koltuk comments, “It’s great seeing the Cowboys herd the ponies into the water and seeing them all swim the channel, with all the boats lined up in a row watching and people swimming up to their necks.” The parade, she mentions, can be a bit difficult to see, but once the horses reach the carnival grounds, the foals corralled for auction are fun to witness, particularly for children. “People come from all over the world to see it,” she says. “It’s a huge event.”
Virginia’s Eastern Shore boasts small towns with big opportunities for nature lovers and beach goers. The tiny peninsula is home to nature reserves and all manner of waterfront fun. Chincoteague Island is perhaps the Shore’s most famous asset, due in large part to the popular children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague. The island is home to its very own breed of wild pony, and as such the populated portions of the island boast dozens of inns, bed and breakfasts, and historic houses with their very own Chincoteague pony grazing out front, often accompanied by signs boasting that the horse is descended from Misty herself.
The island’s yearly pony penning draws thousands of visitors, and while officially this year marks the 89th annual pony swim, the event has actually been happening for hundreds of years. A well-known local myth holds that some four centuries ago, a Spanish galleon crashed just off the island’s coast, forcing the herd of horses aboard to swim ashore. The ponies have lived in Chincoteague’s marshes and beaches ever since, adapting over time to the harsh marshy environment and limited food supplies; in 1994, the ponies were officially recognized as a distinct breed. The island’s most famous attraction, the pony penning, was first mentioned in 1835 and even then was described as an ‘ancient’ tradition. In its current form the event begins when the Island’s “Saltwater Cowboys” round up the ponies. The two separate herds (comprising 150 ponies) are then combined and swam from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island and paraded down Main Street. The foals are then auctioned off to help control the herd size (which cannot rise above 150 ponies). Chincoteague Island is famous for the Pony Swim and Pony Penning, and few Eastern Shore traditions are as widely known and loved. Former Chincoteague local, Hazel Koltuk comments, “It’s great seeing the Cowboys herd the ponies into the water and seeing them all swim the channel, with all the boats lined up in a row watching and people swimming up to their necks.” The parade, she mentions, can be a bit difficult to see, but once the horses reach the carnival grounds, the foals corralled for auction are fun to witness, particularly for children. “People come from all over the world to see it,” she says. “It’s a huge event.”
If crowds aren’t your thing, however, you can always see the ponies in their natural habitat on one of the many nature trails throughout Chincoteague and Assateague Island. These trails are accessible by foot and by bike, and are wonderful places to experience the Eastern Shore’s beautiful nature and wildlife. And if you want a truly unique view of the islands, a boat tour offers sights that are not accessible any other way. The island also boasts access to horseback riding and even hang gliding for the very adventurous.
One of the islands biggest draws, is of course, the beach. Assateague Island is a barrier island that shelters Chincoteague from the Atlantic Ocean (the two islands are connected by a bridge). All of Assateague Island is a protected and undeveloped wildlife sanctuary. It is here that Assateague Beach can be accessed. The beautiful beach regularly draws locals and tourists alike and provides a wonderful getaway for any family. Any number of beach activities are available, from camp fire building and grilling, horseback riding, and shell collecting, to surfing, skim boarding, and boogie boarding.
One of the islands biggest draws, is of course, the beach. Assateague Island is a barrier island that shelters Chincoteague from the Atlantic Ocean (the two islands are connected by a bridge). All of Assateague Island is a protected and undeveloped wildlife sanctuary. It is here that Assateague Beach can be accessed. The beautiful beach regularly draws locals and tourists alike and provides a wonderful getaway for any family. Any number of beach activities are available, from camp fire building and grilling, horseback riding, and shell collecting, to surfing, skim boarding, and boogie boarding.
The Island’s multitude of activities doesn’t just draw tourists. Locals often spend free days visiting the island with their families and never find a shortage of new activities to try. Closer to town, one can find mini golf and rock climbing walls, arcades and a movie theater, and delicious restaurants on every corner. The Shore is known for its seafood—oysters and crabs in particular—and there is no shortage of tasty fare to sate your hunger after a day spent on the beach.
No trip to Chincoteague is complete, however, without making a stop at one of the island’s two ice cream parlors. Few local arguments are as hotly disputed as which shop is better—Mister Whipy’s or Island Creamery. Mister Whippy’s specializes in tasty soft serve ice cream, while Island Creamery regularly concocts new homemade ice creams to perfectly compliment their delicious waffle cones. Their specialty ice cream, Marsh Mud, is renowned to chocolate lovers everywhere.
Spending time on Chincoteague Island is a uniquely Eastern Shore experience. The locals are friendly and the seafood is supreme. The Chincoteague Ponies are the island’s pride and joy (the local high school mascot is even named for them!) and they, along with Misty, permeate the island culture from locals who own one of the special horses, to paintings and murals. It’s impossible to visit the island without seeing a few horses—and if the animal is locally owned and not a part of the wild herd (which can only be viewed from nature trails, roadways, and boat tours at a distance) they are often free to pet and hand feed. Whether you’re a fan of horses, a fan of nature hikes, or beaches, or simply want to experience a bit of Eastern Shore life, few destinations offer the unique opportunities and activities of Chincoteague Island.
No trip to Chincoteague is complete, however, without making a stop at one of the island’s two ice cream parlors. Few local arguments are as hotly disputed as which shop is better—Mister Whipy’s or Island Creamery. Mister Whippy’s specializes in tasty soft serve ice cream, while Island Creamery regularly concocts new homemade ice creams to perfectly compliment their delicious waffle cones. Their specialty ice cream, Marsh Mud, is renowned to chocolate lovers everywhere.
Spending time on Chincoteague Island is a uniquely Eastern Shore experience. The locals are friendly and the seafood is supreme. The Chincoteague Ponies are the island’s pride and joy (the local high school mascot is even named for them!) and they, along with Misty, permeate the island culture from locals who own one of the special horses, to paintings and murals. It’s impossible to visit the island without seeing a few horses—and if the animal is locally owned and not a part of the wild herd (which can only be viewed from nature trails, roadways, and boat tours at a distance) they are often free to pet and hand feed. Whether you’re a fan of horses, a fan of nature hikes, or beaches, or simply want to experience a bit of Eastern Shore life, few destinations offer the unique opportunities and activities of Chincoteague Island.
