Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
People kayaking along the Eastern Shore of Virginia in colorful boats near a wooden dock under a clear blue sky.
Virginia

Kayaking the Eastern Shore: The Chesapeake and the Atlantic

Program No. 2285RJ
See More Photos
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
2 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Wallops Island
Kayaking the Eastern Shore: The Chesapeake and the Atlantic
Oct 4 - Oct 9, 2026
Program Number 2285
Expand All
Activity Note
Field station check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your room assignment, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please contact the Chincoteague Bay Field Station to find out where to meet the group.
Dinner:
In the dining hall, our dining staff will prepare and serve cafeteria-style meals, with options ranging from a hot meal to a diverse salad bar. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and evening entertainment. Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive, you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans. Driving approximately 45 minutes each way to Jane's Island SP. Paddling about 6 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast:
In the Chincoteague Bay Field Station cafeteria, our staff will present an array of fruits, hot and cold cereals, meats, breads/biscuits, eggs, and pancakes for your choosing. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.
Morning:
We will depart by field station van for the first paddle. Before heading out onto the water, we will introduce you to the world of kayaking with a brief demonstration of different paddling techniques provided by your leaders. Today's adventure will lead us through Janes Island State Park in the Chesapeake Bay. Winding through the small tidal inlets of the salt marsh in our quiet kayaks will provide intimate encounters with egrets, herons, and other animals. We’ll learn about the different microhabitats within a marsh, the organisms that spend their lives there, and the reasons we should protect this increasingly endangered environment.
Lunch:
We will prepare our lunches prior to departure and enjoy them on a beach in the park. Lunch options will include sandwiches, fruits, chips, and cookies. Please bring a refillable water bottle. Extra water will be supplied by our guides.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue paddling through the winding creeks and guts of the salt marsh.
Dinner:
The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.
Evening:
We’ll listen to a talk on barrier islands and the natural history, importance, and future of these unique ecosystems. Learn about how one of the world's most biologically productive areas constantly changes as a result of a multitude of collaborative environmental factors.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving approximately 30 minutes each way. Kayaking about 10 miles throughout the day, with the option to exit the paddle at the halfway point.
Breakfast:
In the cafeteria.
Morning:
The scenic Pocomoke River snakes through one of the northernmost cypress swamps. We will launch from north of Snow Hill, MD. As you paddle, your instructors will provide information about the magnificent flora and fauna you will encounter and share their knowledge of the values and ecology of this unique environment.
Lunch:
Along the banks of the Pocomoke River, we’ll once again have boxed lunches we prepared before leaving this morning.
Afternoon:
The afternoon will be a continuation of the Pocomoke River cypress swamp paddle to the take-out site at the Nassawango Creek Preserve.
Dinner:
In the cafeteria.
Evening:
Tonight, we’ll hear a presentation from our Field Station Educator on the different organisms in the area! We will set out the organisms for a fun and interactive talk about the local creatures that are beneath us while we paddle throughout the Eastern Shore.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving 15 minutes to launch site. Kayaking about 4.5 miles.
Breakfast:
In the cafeteria.
Morning:
This morning's paddle will lead us through several winding tidal creeks and into a shallow, open bay. Along the way, we will get up close to oyster reefs and discuss local culture, history and ecology. This area also provides exceptional views of wading birds.
Lunch:
In the cafeteria, we’ll enjoy a hot meal, sandwiches, and a salad bar. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of soft drinks are available.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
In the dining hall, we’ll enjoy a family-style seafood feast! Sample local crabs and shrimp or if you choose, grilled chicken or roasted vegetables. Coffee, tea, water, and a selection of juices and sodas are available.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll stop by the award-winning Island Creamery and sample some of their numerous flavors of delicious homemade ice cream.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans. Kayaking about 4.5 miles. Driving up to 30 minutes between stops.
Breakfast:
In the cafeteria.
Morning:
Today's adventure will take us to Memorial Park, the site of the annual Pony Swim made famous by Marguerite Henry’s novel, ‘Misty of Chincoteague.’ We will start on the north end of Chincoteague Island and kayak down the Assateague Channel. We’ll have great views of the Assateague Lighthouse as we kayak and learn from our Field Station Educators about some of the local history that has shaped the area.
Lunch:
Upon reaching Memorial Park, our leaders will grill a wonderful lunch spread to fuel us back up after another great paddle. Choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, fruit, chips, cookies.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll travel to Wallops Island, a NASA and Navy-owned island that is home to a beautiful restricted-access beach. We will have time to walk on the beach and collect shells as well as learn from our educators about dune ecology and the history of Wallops Island. Please note, access to Wallops is dependent on NASA approval and may be affected by events outside of the Chincoteague Bay Field Station's control.
Dinner:
The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.
Evening:
A local group will entertain us with live music tonight. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Field station check-out 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the cafeteria. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.