pony swim

Chincoteague Pony Swim on your Bucket List?

The Chincoteague Pony Swim at the end of July is a unique experience. Reserve your seats on the boat or kayak tour now. You can view it on Wednesday or Friday. The ponies  swim over from Assateague on Wednesday, then after the auction they swim back on Friday. You can see the pony swim good on the boat or kayak tour. Assateague Explorer has escorted visitors like you to see the pony swim since 2001.

Keep in mind that anytime from April thru October you can go on the daily boat or kayak tour and it is a brilliant way to see the legendary wild ponies in their natural environment. The wild ponies of Assateague are remarkable and you will appreciate seeing them in this special part of the world. Visiting this area on the daily tour will give you an appreciation of the ponies and the natural diversity of their environment.

If you want to see the actual Pony Swim, reserve it now. This is on some people’s bucket list. Seats are limited. Be sure to do the daily boat or kayak tour while you visit, so you can see the beautiful area, dolphins and wildlife while you make the most of your vacation here at Chincoteague and Assateague.

The annual Chincoteague Pony Swim event is held once a year. Watch your calendar, the event is held on the last consecutive Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in July. This historic event started back in 1925 as a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department. Back in the early 1900’s Chincoteague was isolated from the mainland with no bridges, the island residents were in need of fire trucks so they decided to swim the ponies over from nearby Assateague and have an auction. Each year, the ponies on Assateague have about 75 new foals born on the island. The population of ponies can reach up to 300 horses on the island at times. The pony penning event keeps the pony population under control with an auction the following day after the swim. The pony auction is held at the Chincoteague Fireman’s Carnival following the day of the swim. You can watch the Pony Swim on Wednesday and or watch the return Pony Swim on Friday as the ponies swim back to Assateague.  

The boat or kayak tour makes the most sense if you want to see the pony swim. You could try to watch it on land with an estimated 40,000 people, but you might be far away or standing in the marsh with a mass of spectaculars possibly in front of you. Being out on the water offers you the best opportunity and a pleasant experience. This is the only way Captain Mark of Assateague Explorer has ever seen it. He grew up on the island so he knows. People return from previous attempts at trying it on land and say that’s why this year they are going on the boat or kayak tour. Sometimes while waiting for the ponies to swim you can witness dolphins or bald eagles. The view of the lighthouse is great too, so you get to experience nature and scenery while at the pony swim.

The time the horses swim is determined by the tides, they swim at either high or low tide. That is called slack tide and when the current stops running. The Pony Swim is always during the morning. The official time is announced the day before at the firemen’s carnival, but we know in advance. Reserve now and you will be notified of the time via email or phone. You are going to have a great vacation here.