Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Accomack County
Launch area is a sandy beach on Tom's Cove, several hundred feet from parking area. The sheltered sand beach provides a good launch point for Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner paddlers who want to explore Tom's Cove. This site is on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail...Check it out!
Launch site owner:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - 757.336.6577
Directions to launch site:
- From US 13, East on Route 175, 10.2 Miles.
- Left on Main Street, 0.4 Miles.
- Right on Maddox Boulevard 1.8 Miles.
- Continue through refuge, 3.0 Miles.
- Stop at Tom's Cove Visitor Center and request directions to launch site on Toms Cove.
GPS Coordinates:
+37.8863 / -75.3449
Beginner Paddler Route:
Toms Cove
Route Description:
Launch at the sandy pull-off at Parking Lot 4, which is South of the Toms Cove Visitor Center. At Low Tide, boats must be carried a few hundred feet out to the water. The sandy beach and shallow water near the Toms Cove launch site offers semi-protected paddling for Beginners. You will see abundant wildlife, and may see Cow Nose Rays in the shallow water. Stop at the Toms Cove Visitors Center to get information on launching and current restrictions on landing along the Toms Cove shoreline.
Back to Seaside Water Trail Launch Site Map
Intermediate and Advanced Paddlers:
Advanced and Intermediate paddlers can paddle around to Chincoteague Island, or use Tom's Cove as the start or finish point to paddle the Assateague Island Canoe Trail. Maps, backcountry camping permits, and overnight parking permits are available at the nearby Tom's Cove Visitors Center.
The National Park Service maintains the Assateague Island Canoe Trail in the Maryland section of Assateague Island National Seashore. The Assateague Island Canoe Trail runs for approximately 12.5 miles along the west side of Assateague Island. There are four backcountry campsites available to paddlers with reservations. From Pope Bay, the southernmost campsite, it is a 15-mile paddle to the Toms Cove Visitor Center and launch site. Paddlers can either start the trail from either Maryland or Virginia. For further information, contact the Assateague Island National Seashore at 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811 or call 410-641-3030 (Maryland) or 757-336-6577 (Virginia).