FAQs

Yes. Advance reservations are the normal thing most people do and are strongly recommended. The boat tour and kayak tour can book up quickly. Maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer by calling us now since seats are limited. If you have to change or cancel your reservation, you can do so as long as you give us at least a 48-hour notice (you don’t loose anything then). Reserve now online.

Anytime from late April through mid October. Summer is a great time to see the foals. The weather is best at this time of year.

Assateague Explorer welcomes your group on the nature cruise or kayaking tour. Group discounts are available. The certified 49 passenger and 12 passenger wild pony nature tour boats are USCG approved and USCG safety inspected annually. The kayaks we use on the kayak tours are extra large sit on top ocean kayaks that are more than enough on the sheltered Assateague Channel inland waters between the two islands of Assateague and Chincoteague. The Assateague Explorer tours are educational and a fun way for groups like yours to experience the island’s nature.  

Assateague Explorer’s tours go between the islands of Assateague and Chincoteague in Virginia to see wild ponies, dolphins, eagles shorebirds, the Assateague Lighthouse and amazing scenery. The tours are very popular for scout troops, churches, schools, corporate outings, as well as senior groups. Group organizations of all kinds enjoy this ever year. If your group is looking for a private party or just a fun educational tour, they will enjoy the boat or kayak tour while sightseeing here with all the nature the island has to offer.  

Bring your family party, team building event, wedding party or company outing to the perfect natural setting and enjoy watching wild ponies, dolphins as you relax. Reconnect with nature and rejuvenate with your group for birthdays, family gatherings, graduation parties, anniversaries or any club organization you belong. We make this an epic vacation experience when you travel here to visit Assateague and Chincoteague. Let us put a wild pony, dolphin watching tour of Assateague together just for you! We have welcomed: School Groups, Scout Groups, Wedding Parties, Bus Groups, Church Groups, Family Reunions, Senior Groups, Meet Ups and more on the Assateague Explorer tours since 2001. Call now for a group discount and we can help you with your group planning. Ample Free Parking for tour buses.  

It depends. Most of the time we stay on the boat so we can cover a lot of the pristine areas in search for more wild ponies and wildlife. However, sometimes we do decide to land on a beautiful remote sandbar and search for shells if we have seen plenty of ponies and we are in that vicinity. The kayak trips sometimes land on an awesome remote beach, but it depends where our guides decide to take you, where the wild ponies are hanging out, etc…

It is standard to leave a tip for the boat crew or kayak guides if you enjoyable the area. Our crew works hard to provide the best experience possible for you. They work here because they love being outdoors, helping others, and meeting people like you. Gratuity is always helpful and appreciated.

You are guaranteed to see the areas where the wild ponies, birds, dolphins & wildlife live and are active, but there is no guarantee of any kind of wildlife viewing just because the wildlife is “wild” and this is not a zoo. However, this is the only way to reach these places and we do see the wild ponies most of the times. It would not make sense to visit and not see this beautiful part of the island only accessible by boat and have the best success (90%) in seeing the wild ponies (as good as it gets, see our youtube & photos, this is the best way to see wild ponies). We see bald eagles & dolphins frequently. However, there is no guarantee that we’ll see these wild creatures on every single trip. Some visitors expect to see them close or doing something remarkable, but the wildlife at Assateague and Chincoteague is “wild”, this is not a petting zoo (Assateague is a National Park) and nature is unpredictable and we cannot control the wildlife. A variety of scenery, wildlife & marine life is here in the wild settings, and that is why they are called “wild” ponies and this is what makes them so special. There is no refund for not seeing wild ponies or dolphins.

The boat and kayak tour leave from the best location possible, near where the wild ponies and wildlife are on the refuge. The weather is usually pretty good to us here at Chincoteague and Assateague, thank God. We have cooler weather than the mainland during the Summer. If it is a light shower, that means nice cool weather also. We usually still go. The rain does not bother us or the wild ponies and wildlife. In fact, some of our best pony watching can be on a rainy day and we always welcome some cool weather. We have nice rain parkas for you (like going out on the “Maid of the Mist”) but you are welcome to bring your own. The boat is 40ft. long and very wide with a nice large top. We monitor wind and sea conditions and they are not necessarily bad during the rain. In the case of severe weather, such as strong winds, we may cancel but you are not under any obligation.

There is a restroom on the 40′ pontoon MISTY and a portable toilet on the 24′ pontoon MISTY. Restroom facilities are available at the boat harbor and a couple areas along the route. 

Nobody has ever got sea sick, the waterway is protected and calm. We operate in between Chincoteague and Assateague Island where the waters are sheltered and our Coast Guard Certified boat is very stable.

Please let us know if you have a wheelchair. There is a nice floating dock ramp at the harbor for easy access, and most of the customers with wheelchairs (except electric wheelchair) have been able to get on the boat (every person is different). We will do all that we can to accommodate customers with disabilities, but everyone is different and although most can get on and off of the boat, we can try but cannot guarantee. We’ll gladly do our best to help. 

The tour boat fleet consists of a variety of vessels designed to explore the area while also to ensure your safety and comfort.

The 40ft vessel “MISTY” is Coast Guard Certified for 49 passengers, which requires an annual inspection each year. The boat was designed and built as a high speed catamaran, to be very sea worthy and has twin engines for speed and reliability, plus a restroom. In addition to modern safety equipment, this vessel is operated by a licensed “Master” captain. U.S. Coat Guard Certification also requires a crew member. The boat has undergone a U.S. Coast Guard stability test and the Cost Guard performs hull inspections. The boat has meet plan approval, passenger weight regulations and construction phase observations by the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel is hauled out periodically for a complete U.S. Coast Guard hull inspection. A Certified vessel is held to a higher standard for passenger safety. The captain has also worked on these waters as a boat captain starting way back in the mid 80’s, has operated boats in the Pacific and is the unquestionable pioneer of Pony Watching in these areas by boat. This tour vessel is wide and provides a smooth ride. It is very spacious and the boat sits up higher off the water which allows great views of wildlife and scenic vistas. Bring the family and experience Assateague and the splendor of one of nature’s great wonders. 

Each vessel is equipped to transport you to the most captivating areas for an unforgettable experience along Assateague Island. All of our tour boats are guaranteed to get you to the best areas (see photos).

Please arrive 15-20 minutes before your tour. Look for the sign near slip #71 that says Assateague Explorer, our crew will help you onboard.

The tours depart from Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Visit the driving directions page.

Yes. The boats have a top for some shade. Some people like the shade, some people like a  bit of sun.

Yes! Gift cards are available. Click here to purchase one for your family & friends.

Chincoteague is located just one hour drive south of Ocean City (20 minutes south of Maryland/Virginia line). A relaxing scenic drive and perfect day trip to compliment your Ocean City vacation.

A lot of people do not know, but half of the island is located in Virginia and the other half located in Maryland. The Virginia half of Assateague is definitely the best part of the island. It has the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (where delmarva fox squarrals, sika deer, bald eagles, waterfowls and other wildlife inhabit), Assateague Lighthouse, most of the wild horses with approximately 80 foals born each summer (whereas the Maryland side horses receive a birth control shot so there are only a few foals there), the beach and extended wooded areas with giant loblolly pine trees and beautiful areas. The Assateague Channel is located between Chincoteague and Assateague Island and it provides access to the best parts of the island. The wild ponies on the Virginia side are visible along this inner coastline.

All ages are welcome on the Assateague boat cruise. The kayak tour is limited for ages 5 and up, but if you have children younger than 5, please give us a call. 

Cruises are pet friendly to friendly pets.