Virginia

Kayaking the Eastern Shore: The Chesapeake and the Atlantic

Program No. 2285RJ
Kayak the shores, inlets and wildlife-abundant rivers of coastal Virginia with experts, learning about regional ecosystems and local history as you improve your kayaking technique.

Enroll with Confidence

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Experience the coastal environment from a new perspective as you kayak while viewing coastal flora and fauna. Paddle with Chincoteague Bay Field Station ecologists/biologists through salt marsh ecosystems, over eel grass beds and up a picturesque river and extraordinary coastal creeks of the Chesapeake and Chincoteague Bays.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Kayaking between 4-5 hrs a day up to 6 miles. Tandem kayaks only. Climbing in and out of boats. Paddling in forested rivers and in open marsh channels where wind and tidal currents can be strong; recent kayaking experience recommended. Good swimming skills are required. Walking up to a half-mile.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience day and night paddles through the diverse waters of the Eastern Shore, including the scenic Pocomoke River, which snakes through one of the northernmost cypress swamps.
  • Refresh your skills through classroom and field instruction and demonstrations, starting with the basics and progressing through more advanced skills.
  • Learn about the coastal and bay ecosystems of the Eastern Shore, winding through a salt marsh for intimate encounters with egrets, herons and other animals.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. ****For this program, participants paddle in tandem kayaks (2 people per kayak) provided by the Field station each day.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
14 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024
  • Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024
  • May 19, 2024 - May 24, 2024
  • Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024
  • Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024
  • Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024
  • Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024
  • Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
  • May 11, 2025 - May 16, 2025
  • Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
  • Aug 24, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
  • Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
  • Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.
5 nights
Wallops Island
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential environmental learning center and field station. Participants are accommodated in modern, suite-style rooms with four double-occupancy bedrooms with central heat and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are not connected to bedrooms but are shared by only two rooms. All rooms have two twin beds. The two-story residence halls have no elevator and are across campus from meeting spaces and the cafeteria. A large campus lounge allows for camaraderie with fellow Road Scholars, with comfortable chairs and sofas, tables to play games and a TV. Meals are served in a common dining room where residents other than Road Scholars will dine. Good to know: No TVs in rooms. Wi-Fi in main Education Center. Coin-operated laundry room. Housekeeping once a week. Most meals served buffet-style; bus own table.





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