Travel Guide
White Sand & Cheap Stays: Visit One Of The East Coast’s Most Underrated Islands
Apr
If you’re in search of the ultimate place to unwind this spring or summer, there’s an East Coast island perfectly suited for you.
Light on the wallet with beautiful white-sand shores, this tranquil hideaway flies well under the radar with the exception of one unique event taking place each year that you may have seen published by National Geographic, or even Animal Planet.
But what hasn’t been revealed is just how truly wonderful it is to visit one of Virginia’s prettiest getaways and how remarkably affordable it is.
Splendid spring weather is right around the corner, so there’s no time like the present to begin booking scenic waterfront stays to kick back, relax, and enjoy a delightful vacation spot at least 3 hours removed from any major city.
While there are plenty of beaches packed to the gills with vacationers, Chincoteague, Virginia is the exception, and according to WorldAtlas, you can expect wide-open shores year-round, even in the heart of summer.
Small Town Charm & Cheap Stays
Chincoteague Island, which is also home to the most notable town on the island with the same name, is quintessential East Coast without the funny accents.
Think savory seafood, idyllic coastlines, and towering lighthouses guiding ships back home. So much so there’s actually a popular Lighthouse Trail, an easy 1/4 mile trail navigating through lush forests, ultimately bringing you to the unmissable Assateague Lighthouse.
Chincoteague (the town) is brimming with down-home charm and a slower pace of life with friendly residents happy to have you check out their shops and hole-in-the-wall eats, such as Southern Living-backed AJ’s On The Creek, serving up what locals call “salts”, which are Chincoteague oysters…or sea-boogers to those who aren’t fans of slimy bivalves.
But eating local isn’t the only way to save money vacationing here; the island’s low prices transfer over to the surprising array of accommodations too.
Opt for a cozy Mom & Pop stay along the waterfront at the rightfully named Waterside Inn for less than $70, or go for a slight upgrade next door at the Marina Bay Hotel & Suites for around $100, or choose Chincoteague’s most secluded stay with private cottages at Key West Cottages in the $200’s.
All these rates reflect spring. Like anywhere else, summer rates tend to see an uptick.
Chincoteague’s Best Beaches
Chincoteague Bay encompasses the island, boasting sparkling crystal-clear waters as a serene backdrop.
There are multiple beaches lined with soft white sand along the blue Atlantic waters, but not so much on the bayside.
Although, some of the top stays such as the handful mentioned above are facing the bay, which still offers scenic views and coastal delights when it comes to food, hotels, and excursions.
One of these is boat and kayak tours, crossing the tranquil waters of Chincoteague Bay. On the Atlantic side, however, is where you’ll find the best beaches.
You know, the gleaming white-sand kind you’ll find on gift shop postcards. That’s why you’ll want to enter Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge not only for fascinating wildlife encounters, but also the region’s prettiest coastlines.
Assateague is the most pristine beach Chincoteague has to offer (not to be confused with neigh-boring Assateague Island up the coast).
This gleaming, spacious beach is located within the refuge, and exactly why wildlife is the island’s claim to fame, especially as wild horses roam freely along its sandy shores and graze in the coastal marshes.
The Ultimate Place To Horse Around
Have you ever visited somewhere and felt like you didn’t get to see it all? Well, one thing is for certain in Chincoteague; you won’t miss the wild horses.
If you venture down to Assateague, you’re practically guaranteed to spot some along the coast.
But on the off chance you don’t, there’s one unique event held annually that has been featured by National Geographic, among other notable publications, showcasing Chincoteague’s famous Pony Swim.
Here, visitors will witness the “Saltwater Cowboys” gather wild Chincoteague ponies on Assateague Island and swim them across the Assateague Channel to Chincoteague Island.
The next roundup is slated for July 26, a preamble to the official event set to be held July 30, 2025 —another reason hotel rates might spike come summer.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
