Cruising Delmarva
Cruising opportunities exist a short distance south of New Jersey. Crossing the mouth of Delaware Bay from the tip of Cape May to the northern tip of Cape Henlopen, Delaware is about 10 NM. This long coast is known as the Delmarva Pennisula because it is made up of the coasts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. NOAA Chart 12214, "Cape May to Fenwick Island", presents the coast of Delaware to the Fenwick Island Lighthouse on the Delaware-Maryland border. NOAA Chart 12211, "Fenwick Island to Chincoteague Inlet" presents the Maryland coast and into Virginia.
Approximately 3 NM inside Cape Henlopen is Roosevelt Inlet (34°47' N, 75°09' W) providing access from Delaware Bay to the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. This provides a sheltered route through Rehoboth Beach to Rehoboth Bay, a short distance down the Delaware coast.
Moving south along the Atlantic Coast from Cape Henlopen at the north of Delaware, it is just 12 NM to the first inlet - Indian River Inlet (38°36' N). This provides access to Rehoboth Bay from the Ocean.
About 20 NM further down the coast is Ocean City Inlet (38°19' N) in the state of Maryland. Ocean City is a well developed and popular summer resort and year-round community. Inside the inlet is the Isle of Wight Bay. Heading south from the inlet a fairly straight channel leads to the northern end of Chincoteague Bay.
Chincoteague Inlet (37°52' N) Virginia is about 32 NM south of Ocean City Inlet. Behind the inlet is the large Chicoteague Bay. South of Chincoteague Inlet has little development and marshy back-bays. It is about 55 NM to the southern tip of the eastern shore of Virginia at Cape Charles. This marks the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay.