Assateague Island Cruise: Wild Ponies & Bay Wildlife Tour

Hear the surprising story of how ponies reached the island while feeding them from the boat

A guided boat tour of Assateague Island where a knowledgeable captain answers questions about the wild ponies, the island's ecology and the wildlife living there. The tour departs from either North OC (1 hour) or Downtown (2 hours 45 minutes), and includes the boat ride only. Infants can sit on an adult's lap; service animals are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Assateague Island guided boat tour

• Depart from selected location
• Cruise along Assateague coastline
• Observe wild ponies and wildlife
• Learn about island history and ecology
• Return to departure point

The Experience

The captain steers the boat along the Assateague coastline, pointing out where the wild ponies live and explaining how they got there—whether they swam, how many roam the island now, and why you can't pet or feed them. Beyond the ponies, the tour covers the island's history, the ecology that supports such a diverse range of wildlife, and the animals living both on the island and in the surrounding bay. A live guide in English narrates the whole thing, so the facts come straight from someone who knows the water and the island.

The two departure options change the day significantly. Trips leaving from the North OC location run 1 hour, a quick cruise that gets you the ponies and the main wildlife without a long commitment. Trips from Downtown take 2 hours 45 minutes because the boat has to travel from 118th Street out to Assateague Island first, but that extra time means a deeper look at the bay ecosystem on the way there and back. Pick based on where you are and how much time you want to spend on the water.

Bring your own food and water if you want to eat during the tour—nothing is served onboard, and there are no bathrooms on the boat, so plan accordingly. Infants can ride on an adult's lap, and the boat works for all fitness levels. Kids tend to remember this one.

What’s included

Boat ride; live captain narration in English

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Bimini

Is this one for you?Choose the 1-hour North OC departure if you want the wild ponies and the main story without a long time commitment. Pick the Downtown location if you have 2 hours 45 minutes and want to see more of the bay ecosystem on the way to and from the island—the extra travel time means more wildlife and more of the captain's knowledge about what lives in the water.

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Top questions

How many wild ponies live on Assateague Island?

The captain answers that question during the tour—the exact number and details about how they survive on the island are part of what makes the cruise worthwhile, so the guide walks through it as you cruise the coastline.

Can I pet or feed the wild ponies on this tour?

No. The tour explains why you can't touch or feed them, but you'll see them from the boat as the captain points out where they live and how they got there in the first place.

What's the difference between the North OC and Downtown departure times?

The North OC trip is 1 hour on the water. The Downtown departure takes 2 hours 45 minutes because the boat travels from 118th Street to Assateague Island, giving you more time to see the bay wildlife and ecosystem on the journey out and back.

Is there food or water available on the boat?

No food is served onboard, but you can bring your own snacks and drinks. There are also no bathrooms on the boat, so plan your trip accordingly.

Can infants and small children come on the tour?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap during the cruise. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.