Spotlight Tangier Island, Chesapeake Bay Virginia
Photos by Gunner Hughes
You’re going to need a boat. Or try and catch the ferry–runs twice a day. Or you could very nicely ask the mailboat to hitch a ride. Tangier Island floats along the Chesapeake Bay with a slightly different bob than what you might expect to see in a Nora Roberts novel. Kind of like a snapshot in time before tourism for island life became the mainstream of income for similar lost and magical places. But Tangier remains in the watermen’s cast—or trap. The lifeblood of the island depends on the fishermen, who spend long days hauling in crabs and oysters while drawling anecdotes in an accent that you’ll need to stay sharp to hang in with. So what’s there to do if the mailman lets you on the boat? A few things, but you’ll want to eat and look around.
With less than 1,000 residents living on a probably-sinking island, your best bet is to get to know a local for tips on getting around.
Important to note, Tangier is a dry island, so if you want a drink, come prepared. But as for food fresh off the boat, you’ll be looking for Fisherman’s Corner Restaurant.
The look around:
Three miles long with a soft marsh middle, you can rent a golf cart to get around or make your way under your own power. For more on Tangier, check out the likely the best tourism website we’ve ever seen.