Rachel Dean from Solomons Island Heritage Tours
Chesapeake Bay Storytellers - Watermen’s Life Tours
Rachel Dean from Solomons Island Heritage Tours
Live the waterman’s life as you tong for oysters, pull crab pots and cull crabs from the Bay, aboard a “deadrise,” the Bay’s traditional working fishing vessel. Find out what it’s like to rise before the sun and work the waters to bring in the day’s harvest, preparing it for market. Hear tales about the history of the Bay’s fishing industry, the plans in place to keep it thriving, and your role in helping this traditional livelihood stay afloat.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Historic Workboat Experience
Experience the unique working traditions of the Chesapeake on a 45-minute cruise aboard a historic boat in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s floating fleet. Try your hand at different tools and harvest techniques while learning about different fisheries, including oysters and blue crabs. Historic Workboat Experience Cruises are available on most weekends and holiday Mondays from late May through October. 410-745-2916
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VanAlstine Seafood & Farm
John VanAlstine is a commercial fisherman, oysterman, crabber and farmer who will provide a hands-on demonstration and talk for your group on what it’s like to be a Chesapeake Bay waterman. He owns 35-acres of oyster beds on the Rhode and West rivers near Dunkirk. Live high quality crabs, hard and soft, seasonal oysters and fish are also available for purchase. 443-223-3433
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Bunky’s Charters
Bunky’s professional, experienced Captains and Mates will take you on a private cruise and share watermen traditions that have sustained families for generations and continue to influence culture and the environment to this day. Their business is family-owned and operated since 1989. 410-326-3241
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Solomons Island Heritage Tours
Come along with Solomons Island Heritage Tours as they chase the Bay’s bounty. As a crew member for the day, you’ll see the gear types and techniques they use to make a living on the Chesapeake - bait pots, fish pots, trot lines, crab pots, oyster dredges and eel pots. Sit back and observe or get involved - it’s up to you! Because children are adventurous and willing to get dirty, they are welcome on board and encouraged to participate. 301-672-3509
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Calvert Marine Museum: Dee of St. Mary’s Dockside Tours
Step aboard the museum’s skipjack, an historic oyster dredging vessel, for an up-close tour of her 56 feet deck with crew members. Learn how watermen dredge for oysters, hoist the sails, and navigate the waterways of the Chesapeake. Tours are included with museum admission. 410-326-2042
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Fish the Bay Charters
Want to be a waterman? This hands-on cruise will have you livin’ the waterman life as you tong oysters, pull crab pots and cull crabs. Come enjoy a day on the bay! 301-904-0935
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Skipjack Kathryn
Sail on the Skipjack Kathryn and discover the heritage of the people who built, owned, captained or worked on majestic skipjack vessels - the oldest working sailing vessel - dredging oysters under the power of the wind. This experience reveals the cultural history of the waterman’s way of life on Deal Island and upper Tangier Sound. Stop by the Skipjack Heritage Museum to hear more stories of the island’s people from the earliest settlers to the present day. 410-251-6980
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Experience Smith Island
Take an immersive journey into the heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Explore the charming Smith Island, known for its rich history, vibrant watermen culture, and world-famous Smith Island Cake. You’ll enjoy a Maryland crab cake lunch, participate in a blue crab demonstration, and take part in a hands-on Smith Island Cake baking demonstration on this all-inclusive tour. Learn about the unique heritage of the island from your knowledgeable guide, Captain Everett. 410-657-2705
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Maryland's Great Chesapeake Bay Loop Getaway Guide
Maryland's Great Chesapeake Bay Loop Getaway Guide
Find a treasure trove of ways to explore the Bay, and meet our skilled Chesapeake Bay Storytellers.
