What Is The Best Way To See The Horses On Assateague Island?

The best option is to park at the State Park or National Park day-use area and enjoy a walk along the trails or beach in search of the horses in their natural habitat. There is no guarantee that by paying the service charge visitors will see horses.

Do you always see horses on Assateague Island?

Ponies graze all day, shorebirds, eagles and dolphins are seen any time of the day. We see different herds of ponies and various species of wildlife at different times throughout the day. Each time we go out on the cruise or kayak trip, we see different wildlife behavior throughout the day. No two trips are ever alike.

When can you see the horses on Assateague Island?

The best time to see the ponies is actually the last Thursday in July on the southern end of Assateague island. The Chincoteague volunteer fire company owns around 150 ponies that live on the southern end of the island, separated from the Maryland half by a fence.

How close can you get to the horses at Assateague Island?

40 feet
Assateague horses are WILD; they don’t behave like domestic horses. Stay at least 40 feet away from them.

What time do the ponies swim back to Assateague?

Slack tide is a period of about 30 minutes between tides, when there is no current. This is the easiest time for the ponies to make the swim. The time of slack tide varies each year. However, the swim generally takes place some time between 7am and 1pm.

Where are most of the horses on Assateague Island?

The horses are split into two main herds, one on the Virginia side and one on the Maryland side of Assateague. They are separated by a fence at the Virginia/Maryland State line. These herds have divided themselves into bands of two to twelve animals and each band occupies a home range.

Are there still wild horses on Assateague Island?

Assateague ponies are often found feeding on the salt marsh cordgrass along Assateague’s western shoreline. When traveling by boat, you may encounter Assateague ponies along extensive bay habitats and pine forest of the 37 mile barrier island .

What is the best time of year to visit Assateague Island?

The ocean temperatures at Assateague Island are similar to Ocean City, Maryland, with the best times of year to swim in just a bathing suit being the end of June to early September. The air temperatures are warm to hot during these months, with the ocean offering a refreshing cool off from the sun.

Can you see horses at Assateague in the winter?

While you probably won’t see them dipping in the ocean as the water dips below 45 degrees, you can still occasionally catch a glimpse of the horses roaming the beach, and especially on the OSV (Over Sand Vehicle) section of the park.

Do the horses on Assateague drink salt water?

“A common visitor misconception is that the Assateague horses have evolved to drink salt water. Fortunately for the horses and other wildlife there are many naturally occurring freshwater ponds like the one in front of you scattered throughout the island.

Is Chincoteague or Assateague better?

One of the best reasons to visit Chincoteague is to go to the beach! Assateague Island National Seashore is 37 miles long and renowned for its wild horses and sandy beaches while Chincoteague is only 7 miles long and better known for its marshes, dunes, forests, and more.

Where is the best place to see wild horses Chincoteague?

Reaching the north herd ponies requires hiking up the “Service Road” (or a combination of biking and hiking). The Service Road is a 7.5 mile (one-way) gravel foot path located off of the Wildlife Loop Trail. Park in the Wildlife Loop parking lot.

Can you just drive through Assateague Island?

By Vehicle
There is no vehicle access between the two entrances on Assateague Island. Vehicles must return to the mainland to access either the north or south entrance.

How much does an Assateague pony cost?

2021— $416,950
Average cost $16,295 (buybacks). This year holds the record for the low bid: $2,400 (increase of $600 from 2020). The auction was online-only due to COVID-19.

Can you drive all of Assateague Island?

You can drive your car to the island, and they have a couple parking lots. There is a visitor center which has information about the island and the wildlife there.