 Besides providing essential water filtration and wildlife habitats, tidal salt marshes and bays have a rich supply of things to see and do. Whether you are interested in birds, fishing, crabbing, wind surfing or setting out in a canoe, you won't want to miss all that these preserves and parks have to offer. Many offer boat ramps, trails and amenities like bathrooms and fresh water. The links below are to places with public access. There are also many public boat ramps that can be found on any road map. Be sure to click on locations of interest and check local sites for more specific information.
Delaware Coastal Bays
Port
Mahon Preserve: This area on the Delaware Bay includes Bombay Hook
and the Little Creek State Wildlife Area with tidal marshland, coastal
dunes and beaches; and it is a great place for shorebird enthusiasts.
Beach
Plum Island Nature Preserve: North of Lewes, this park is a satellite
of Cape Henlopen State Park.
Delaware
Seashore State Park: Six miles of ocean and bay shoreline includes
Indian River Inlet and Thompson's Island Preserve.
Holts
Landing State Park: Also part of Delaware State Park, this has unique
pier just for crabbing.
Maryland's Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay
Elk
Neck State Park: Trails, camping and handicap access are all features
of this state park at the northernmost reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.
Sassafras
River NRMA: This refuge has views of bayside bluffs and cliffs, and
eagle nesting grounds.
Eastern Neck National
Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is located at the confluence of the Chester
River and the Chesapeake Bay and is known to be a home to the endangered
fox squirrel.
Wye
Island NRMA: Six miles of trails and thirty miles of shoreline are
features of this land, part of which was once owned by the third governor
of Maryland and signer of the Declaration of Independence William Paca.
Black
Water National Wildlife Refuge: The Black Water Refuge is one of the
largest and most well known wildlife reserve on the Shore. Home to bald
eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey and a host of waterfowl - it is must
for any birder.
Deal
Island Wildlife Management Area: Waterfowl abound here including the
rare duck known as the European widgeon.
South
Marsh Island Management Area: Once a hiding place for pirates, this
island, which is five miles across Tangier Sound is home to peregrine
falcon nesting and other wetland natives.
Fairmount
Wildlife Management Area: Home to waterfowl, marsh and shore birds,
this management area also has trails for hikers and all terrain bicycles.
Horsehead Wetlands Center: Trails take you to a variety of ponds recreated to represent different habitats from around the world. Also be sure and visit the aviary.
Janes
Island State Park: Once home to the Native American Annemessex Nation,
this park offers camping and cabins. Some areas are only accessible by
boat.
Ellis
Bay Wildlife Management Area: The waterfowl and shore birds can best
seen by boat in this area, which can be found in Wicomico County.
Cedar
Island Wildlife Management Area: Near Crisfield, on the Tangier sound,
Cedar Island is a nesting area for the once threatened black duck.
Taylor's
Island: Best seen during winter, when the insect population has diminished,
Taylor's Island is a classic example of Chesapeake Bay tidal marshland.
Accessible by boat it is used mostly by hunters and the most hearty wildlife
enthusiasts in search waterfowl, shorebirds, whitetail and sika deer.
Pocomoke
Sound Wildlife Management Area: This tidal marsh is a great place
to see the glossy ibis, a variety of waterfowl and nesting barn owls.
Maryland Coastal Bays
Isle
Of Wight Wildlife Management Area: This area between the two bridges
on Route 90 includes a boat ramp and wonderful views of Ocean City. Recent
efforts to clean and improve this area will make it a place to watch.
Assateague National
Park (Maryland Entrance): The National Park provides a water trail
here on the bayside of the island.
Sinepuxent
Bay Wildlife Management Area: Herron and Skimmer Islands are accessible
by boat from public ramps in Ocean City, and ost wonderful opportunities
to see nesting marine birds.
Bays Of Virginia's Eastern Shore
Tom's Cove: The
bayside of the southern most reaches of Assateague National Seashore in
Chincoteague, Virginia, is an excellent place to experience the wildlife
that make the barrier island their home.
Kiptopeke
State Park: The raptor research area here is know nationally and a
must see for any enthusiast of birds of prey.
Eastern Shore
Of Virginia & Fisherman's Island National Wildlife Refuge: Every fall
you can see the amazing invasion of migratory birds and butterflies making
their annual stop here.
Wreck
Island Management Area: Great for surf fishing and birding, but closed
during prime nesting season, this island is only accessible by boat and
open to the public from September 1st to April 14th.
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