 2021 Edition: Top 10 Anchorages on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Our team compiled their favorite anchorages on the Eastern Shore. We are cruisers, explorers, waterman and captains. We hope you enjoy this local knowledge and have a great boating season! From North to South 1. Marshy Creek ( 38 57.547’ N 76 13.891W) - located just south of the Kent Narrows, Marshy Creek is an anchorage that offers good holding, a short dinghy ride to waterfront restaurants in the Kent Narrows (hello, fresh seafood!) and overlooks the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center which has a dinghy dock and great nature trails to explore. Marshy Creek is protected from the north and somewhat protected from the south if you are able to tuck farther into the creek. 2. Thompson Creek (38 57.303’ N 76 18.458’W)- Just off of Cox Creek, Thompson Creek is an anchorage with good holding, a mud bottom and an easy dinghy ride to Mark Cascia Vineyards (recommended to call ahead for a reservation). There are homes on eastern side of the creek and a wooded shoreland on the western side. If this anchorage is full, there are also other great holding anchorages off of Cox Creek that are a short distance from Thompson Creek. 3. Granary Creek (38 53.127’ N 76 8.286’ W)- off the Wye river, good holding and protected from all wind conditions. Because it is so protected, if there is not a good breeze, it can get hot on a summer night. There is great hiking all around Wye Island’s National Resource Management Area. Wildlife abounds in this creek! Great for dinghy rides, kayaking, paddleboarding and exploring. 4. Tilghman Creek (38 50.655’ N 76 16.046’W) South side of Tilghman Pt., just off of the Miles River. The entrance is narrow so make sure to stay in the channel. Once inside, there is deep water in the anchorage. A very secluded anchorage with minimal boat traffic, Tilghman Creek offers great wildlife and a local wharf with workboats. The anchorage is protected from all wind directions and there are numerous places you can anchor within Tilghman Creek. 5. Hunting Creek (38 46.867’N 76 10.283’W) - off of the Miles River, Hunting Creek is a great alternative to when St. Michaels Harbor is full or you are just looking to get a little more secluded. Strait forward entrance with good holding and depth. Depending on where you anchor in Hunting Creek, there is protection from most wind directions. Explore beautiful, historic St. Michaels for the day and then head over to Hunting Creek for a relaxing evening with tons of nature. 6. Boby Owl Cove (38 44.867’N 76 16.200’W) - Just off of Leadenham Creek, which is on Broad Creek, Boby Owl Cove (also known to some as Baby Owl Cove) is a bowl shaped creek with great protection from all wind directions. It is just east of Balls Creek and its a great overnight anchorage for exploring and seeing abundant wildlife. Right around the corner from Balls Creek is Grace Creek where you might see Capt. Trevor aboard Tow Jamm I. In all of these areas, there are many watermen and crabbers. You might just get lucky and be able to buy some fresh crabs or fish right off the boat! 7. Balls Creek (38 43.610’ N 76 16.680’W)- Just off of Broad Creek, Balls Creek is situated between Neavitt and Bozman. With good holding, it is protected from most wind directions except for a heavy S,SW, W wind. A great anchorage to explore via dinghy, kayak or paddleboard. There is the Neavitt Wharf at the head of Balls Creek which berthes many local crabbing boats and has a boat ramp. If you have bikes aboard, this would be a great neighborhood to ride around and there is even a playground centrally located in Neavitt, right next to the Post Office. Did we mention that Neavitt is where Tow Jamm Marine’s base station is located? Give us a shout on VHF 16 to say hi! 8. Plaindealing Creek (38 42.979’ N 76 10.309’W)- off of the Tred Avon River and north of Oxford, Paindealing Creek has a well marked entrance and is an anchorage with great protection and good holding, surrounded by beautiful homes. Spend the day exploring the waterfront town of Oxford which is full of marinas, restaurants, a park, Oxford-Bellevue Car Ferry and more. 9. Island Creek- (38 40.616’N 76 6.900’W) Located at the mouth of the Tred Avon River and Choptank, Island Creek has a narrow entrance, carrying in 4-5’ draft vessels through the entrance. Once inside, the creek gets deeper and is very well protected and boosts gorgeous views and finger creeks off of the main Island creek. Hop in the dinghy to explore the wetlands and see the beautiful homes along the shore. 10. Cherry Island Cove (38 33.599’N 76 13.103’W)- Located inside of the Little Choptank, Cherry Island Cove can hold vessels with 6-8’ draft and is mostly protected except for heavy south winds. This is an off the beaten path type of anchorage, surrounded by natural beauty, duck blinds and remote beaches. Great for exploring and getting away from the hustle and bustle. Just north of Cherry Island Cove is Phillips Creek which is slightly narrower to enter but is also a quiet anchorage and once inside can hold boats drawing 6’. *We encourage all boaters, before anchoring, to check the weather, local tides and charts of the area. Be sure to familiarize yourself in advance of arrival. (We pulled the Lat & Long coordinates in this list from Navionics. Be sure to navigate with caution and check your local charts and GPS.) Set your anchor with the appropriate scope ratio and turn on your anchor light at night if you are overnighting. You are responsible for your vessel and the safety of you and your crew. We also encourage everyone to practice environmental stewardship when they are cruising and anchoring. Leave no trash behind, pick up trash that you see and do not anchor is seabeds that have native sea grasses that are a habitat for our fisheries. Do not pump out your holding tank in the Bay and respect all wildlife. Most importantly, be safe and have a great time! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any further questions. We can be reached on VHF 16: Tow Jamm Marine or (410) 734-3000.*  We’re hooking one special Dad up with an Unlimited Saltwater Towing Membership. Valid on any boat you own, borrow or charter, anywhere in the USA! Free tows, soft ungroundings, battery jumps, fuel drops & more! To enter:
Follow our page Tag a Dad who loves boating *Winner will be announced on Father’s Day, June 20th* Visit our website for membership details, local resources & more: www.TowJammMarine.com  Notice to Mariners
Update on the Kent Narrows north channel, from the USCG: SAFETY / MD - CHESTER RIVER - KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH (CHART 12272) / ATON / CCGD5 BNM 304-21 / Tue, 25 May 2021 15:07:52 -0500 1. DUE TO SHOALING, THE FOLLOWING AIDS TO NAVIGATION CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE. A. KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH LIGHTED BUOY 2A (LLNR 26417) HAS BEEN ESTABLISH IN APPROXIMATE POSITION 38-59-08.095N, 076-14-42.002W, FL R 2.5s, 4NM. B. KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH LIGHTED BUOY 6A (LLNR 26437) HAS BEEN ESTABLISH IN APPROXIMATE POSITION 38-58-46.938N, 076-14-29.309W, FL R 2.5s, 4NM. C. KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH LIGHT 4 (LLNR 26425) HAS BEEN CHANGED TO KENT ISLAND NARROWS APPROACH WARNING LT A, FL W 4s, 4NM AND NW DAYBOARDS. Source: www.navcen.uscg.gov  This Saturday, May 29th, 8am-1pm: Boating Safety Campaign & Lifejacket Giveaway! We are combining our Lifejacket Giveaway event with Hannah’s Marine Awareness Boat Safety Campaign. There will be new & used lifejackets for free, boating safety gear, safety checklists & more. Our goal is to bring attention to weather, tides, safe boating practices & lifejackets. Please join us as we honor the life of Hannah Ash and work towards keeping all people safe on the water.
 In honor of National Safe Boating Week, here are a few tips from your local TowBoatUS companies to help you have a safe boating season:
-Wear a lifejacket -Check weather & tides -Operate at a safe speed -Maintain a lookout at all times -File a float plan -Avoid bow riding Recommended websites for safe boating: Free Boating Safety Courses: www.boatus.org For the USCG Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats & Safety Tips, please visit: www.uscgboating.org Lifejacket & Safety Info: safeboatingcampaign.com Today (5/11/21) we spoke with the USCG regarding the submerged objects on the north channel of the Kent Narrows. On May 4th, the Army Corp of Engineers surveyed the channel and at that time they were unable to find any submerged objects. They did find a shoal (details below) and temporary aids to navigation will be placed later this week to navigate boaters around the shoal. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have further questions. (410) 745-3000 Broadcast Notice to Mariners: SAFETY / MD-CHESAPEAKE BAY-CHESTER RIVER-KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH (CHART 12272)-SHOALING / ATON / SEC MD-NCR BNM 065-21 / Fri, 07 May 2021 19:56:46 -0500 1. HAZARD TO NAVIGATION – A USACE SURVEY CONDUCTED ON 05/04/2021 HAS IDENTIFIED SHOALING TO A DEPTH OF FOUR FEET IN THE KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH WITHIN THE CHANNEL BOUNDARIES BETWEEN KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH LIGHT 2KN (LLNR 26415) AND KENT ISLAND NARROWS NORTH APPROACH LIGHT 8 (LLNR 26435). Source: www.navcen.uscg.gov  
Chesapeake Bay Program  When you call a local, privately-owned TowBoatUS business for assistance, it is our local captains and crew that respond. Your membership supports our family-owned business, adds local jobs, and builds the area economy. As an independent company, we are proud to be affiliated with BoatUS, the largest boat owner’s association in the Nation, and to serve its members. The nine individual TowBoatUS companies which serve the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula boast 34 ports and more than 35 tow boats that are ready to assist 24/7/365. When you add the many nation-wide benefits of a BoatUS membership to our local towing power, our team cannot be beat. Thank you for shopping local and from all of our Chesapeake Bay area TowBoatUS families, we wish you a happy and safe boating season. Give us a call to learn more about our local service, national benefits and how you can become a TowBoatUS member. Our direct local number is (410) 745-3000. BoatUS National Dispatch: (800) 391-4869.
 Give your Customers a Complimentary TowBoatUS 90 Day Unlimited Saltwater Towing Trial Membership Valid all over the USA! Over 600 TowBoatUS Towboats in the USA! NO CREDIT CARD NEEDED! Fill out the 1 page fillable PDF to give your customers a free 3 month Unlimited Saltwater TowBoatUS Membership. FILLABLE PDF IS BELOW. -Free 90 Day Membership with every NEW or USED boat sale. -Free Tows, Fuel Drops, Battery Jumps, Soft Ungroundings, Diver Services, Parts Delivery & More -Even better, buy them a 1 year TowBoatUS Unlimited Membership! All new memberships will be discounted to $99 (regularly $165). You can bundle the 90 day trial membership with a full year membership and get 15 months of worry-free boating for your customers from the top towing assistance company in the country. Sign up for the discounted membership and trail bundle, OR just start with the free trial membership by filling out the 1 page PDF below. If you have questions, call us directly at 410-745-3000 or email at info@TowJamm.com 
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