Secret gem only accessible by boat is country’s soft crab capital – and the best way to see it is by golf cart or bike
A GORGEOUS island, only accessible by ferry or small aircraft, serves as a wonderful hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Tangier Island is a charming coastal getaway that provides the perfect escape from the busier seaside towns in the area.
Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgrTangier Island is a beloved beach town in Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay[/caption]
GoogleThe remote island has a rich history and is constantly giving tours to its visitors[/caption]
Google The island provides the perfect escape from the busier seaside towns in the area[/caption]
Located in the marshes of Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay, the island is serene, offering experiences one can’t find anywhere else.
Tangier Island is home to one of the best beach towns in the state and is often overlooked, making for a less touristic adventure.
Travelers can only access the remote land by air or sea, 12 miles in the Chesapeake Bay but it comes jam-packed with friendly locals ready to share its rich history.
Here, we round up everything you need to know to travel to Tangier Island, Virginia.
WHY TANGIER ISLAND?
Known as America’s soft crab capital, Tangier is the perfect beach town.
It is a low-lying island that was once home to the Pocomoke people and used by British colonists in the 1670s to graze livestock.
A century later, the land became a fishing, oystering, crabbing, and farming colony.
Crab pots continue to line the island to this day, making it a dream for any fisherman as crabbing and beach gear are made readily available.
The island is broken down into three sandy ridges separated by marshland.
West Ridge houses the airport while Main Ridge is where travelers can find most restaurants, the school, and the post office.
Lastly, Canton Ridge is the smallest residential area.
The marshes are the perfect place for bird watchers and are regularly visited by blue herons, egrets, pelicans, rails, osprey, ducks, and geese.
Since there is a lack of traffic, the island tends to be quiet, adding to the tranquil environment.
To travel around, many people rent bikes or golf carts but these are on a first come, first served basis.
The marshes are the perfect place for bird watchersGetty Images - Getty
WHAT ARE THE BEST TANGIER ISLAND VACATION DEALS?
Getting to the general vicinity of Tangier Island can be done in different ways.
Flights into several nearby airports – including Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and the larger Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – will get you to Virginia.
From there, it’s best to rent a car to get to the ferry. But be aware that you cannot take your rental car to Tangier Island.
The cheapest way to get to the island is to take the Onancock-Tangier Ferry.
Between May and October, a round trip for an adult to the island is about $30 with a one-way trip costing only $25.
However, if an adult is staying overnight, a round-trip ticket is about $40.
For children ages six to 12, a round trip is $12, and for younger kids five years old and under, a ticket is only $5.
“The Tangier-Onancock Ferry runs between Tangier Island and Onancock, Virginia from the first weekend of May to the end of September, and then the first weekend in October,” read the ferry website.
HOW TO GET AROUND TANGIER ISLAND
The best way to get around the small island is with golf carts and bike rentals. Most tourists choose to go this route.
If you need a golf cart or bike (adult or children) you will have to reach out to Tommy or Claudine Eskridge at the Four Brothers CrabHouse and IceCream Deck.
Rentals are only for visitors to Tangier Island.
Visitors can reverse their golf carts or bikes early by calling 757 891 2999 or emailing [email protected]
Visitors can also contact the Waterfront Restaurant at 757 891-2248 ot the Sunset Inn Bed and Breakfast at 757 891-2535.
“Service is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, unless you have a reservation. The boat ride takes approximately one hour each way.”
The schedule can vary depending on the weather.
To fly to the island, travelers can go to Hummel Field Airport in Saluda, Virginia with tickets costing about $300.
The island has its own airport and conducts, on average, about 83 movements a month.
WHAT MAKES TANGIER ISLAND WORLD-CLASS?
One of the major highlights on the island is the Tangier History Museum, which tells the surprising story of the land.
Native Americans used the island for its incredible fishing until settlers arrived in the 1700s.
During the War of 1812, several forts were built on the island by the British, who used them as staging areas for battles that were further inland.
Several enslaved people escaped to Tangier until they were given freedom by the colonists.
The museum offers tours for visitors, which last about an hour.
“This is a great little museum that gives a lot of context on the history and culture of Tangier,” read a review on Trip Advisor.
“We did this as one of the last stops on the island so it was really cool to see people in pictures and the video that we’d already met and spoke with. There was surprisingly a lot of information and memorabilia.”
Tourists can also receive a golf cart tour of the island, which shows off the main attractions and small businesses before ending with a trip to the beach.
The cheapest way to get to the island is to take the Onancock-Tangier FerryGetty Images - Getty
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO ON TANGIER ISLAND?
Other treats the island houses are its restaurants, visitors recommend the Muddy Toes Café, which has locally sourced options.
Visitors praised the owners and the menu full of American cuisine.
The cafe serves sandwiches, soups, breakfast items, and even cakes and ice cream.
Another popular location is Lorraine‘s Seafood Restaurant, known as the island’s main eatery.
It is open every day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and reopens from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
However, on Sundays, the restaurant is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Foodies can enjoy Lorraine‘s Seafood Platter, a mouthwatering dish that includes, crab cakes, a soft shell crab, a flounder fillet, jumbo shrimp, and scallops.
“Best food on Tangier Island!” read a Facebook review.
“We visited today and had the best seafood platter that I’ve ever had. The customer service was amazing they make you feel at home,” read another review.
“Thank you! We will definitely be back!”
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TANGIER ISLAND?
Tangier Island’s location means that certain times of year are better to travel than others.
The island has a humid subtropical climate with calm winters but harsh summers.
The community enjoys showing tourists around the area and is ready to do so year-round but the ferry only operates at certain times of the year.
To travel to the island between November and April, visitors will have to fly, which is more expensive.
The best times to visit Tangier are May, June, and September when the weather is most pleasant.
However, since Tangier is less crowded than most Virginian towns, it makes for a calm vacation any time of year.
APThe island is a fisherman’s dream, known as the soft crab capital of America[/caption]
AFPThe island is only accessible by ferry or on a small aircraft[/caption]
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