In short
- Pack industrial-strength bug spray to handle greenhead flies.
- Bring a zippered cooler with nylon straps to secure food.
- Take binoculars to view the ponies from a safe 40-foot distance.
In this article
Your trip to Assateague and Chincoteague depends heavily on what you bring. The barrier island ecosystem has strict rules and harsh elements. Preparing for heavy mosquito activity, sun exposure, and bold wildlife will keep your group safe and comfortable.
How do I deal with bugs on Assateague Island?
You need industrial-strength bug spray and light-colored, long-sleeved clothing.
Summer brings intense heat and biting insects like mosquitoes and greenhead flies. Standard bug repellent often fails here. Pack an industrial-strength spray specifically formulated for heavy insect activity.
Wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants also deters biting flies. Covering your skin is your best physical defense while exploring the marshes.
How should I store food around the wild ponies?
Store all food in a locked vehicle or a secured, zippered cooler with nylon straps.
Wild horses frequently wander right through campsites and beaches. They are notoriously brazen about stealing from coolers. It is illegal and dangerous to touch, approach, or feed the wild horses.
If you cannot leave food inside your locked car, use a heavy-duty cooler. Ensure it zips shut and locks with thick nylon straps to prevent pony scavenging.
What should I wear for a kayak tour in Chincoteague?
Wear water shoes or old sneakers, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen.
You need footwear that protects your feet from muddy shores and sharp shells. Old sneakers or dedicated water shoes work best. Bring plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to block the sun on the open water.
What gear is best for seeing the wild horses?
Bring binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens.
Park regulations mandate that visitors stay at least 40 feet away from the wild horses at all times. This is about the length of one large bus. Binoculars let you safely view the ponies without getting too close. A telephoto lens is required for detailed photographs.
What essentials do I need for kayaking Assateague?
Pack at least 32 oz of drinking water per person and a dry bag for electronics.
Kayaking the shallow inland channels requires careful preparation. If you bring your own kayak, you must carry a Coast Guard-approved life preserver and a safety whistle. A paddle leash is also required for private boats.
Questions travellers ask
Are dogs allowed on Assateague Island kayak tours?
Dogs are strictly prohibited in the Virginia Refuge and Maryland State Park. They are only permitted in the Maryland National Seashore on a 6-foot leash.
What is the best way to see the wild ponies on Assateague Island?
Book a guided kayak or boat eco-tour departing from Chincoteague Island. Guides help safely navigate the tidal marshes to find wild ponies without getting stranded at low tide.
How close can you get to the wild horses on Assateague Island?
Regulations mandate that all visitors stay at least 40 feet away from wild horses. This distance equals about one large bus-length.
