Chincoteague's Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat
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Chincoteague's Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat
By Up The Bay Pony Tours
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About
*Our mission is to make your tour the highlight of your vacation! We will do everything we can to make that happen! Our captain is a local who has navigated these waters for over 40 years!
*Our tours are a Full 2 hours around Chincoteague and Assateague! We run all brand new boats and travel over 25 miles of coastline. Sunrise and Sunset tours available!
*Our tours allow you to have the best, up close and personal experience to see ponies and other wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, dolphin, and beautiful sunsets around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.
*Each experience includes a tour of the island and cruise through small guts and waterways to get you up close to an abundance of wildlife and scenery.
*We look forward to sharing our Island with you!
*We also do private tours! Check out our website for different options!
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-100, max of 6 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Private transportation
- Start:
- Up the bay Pony Tours, 2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336, USAWe will meet at FLOATING DOCK #2. Our dock is down past the Harbor Masters Building. Our "UP THE BAY PONY TOUR" sign will be on a telephone pole as well a red sign showing "FLOATING DOCK #2."
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 303370P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 303370P1
From
$65.00
per adult
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Itinerary
- 2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336, USAWe will meet at FLOATING DOCK #2. Our dock is down past the Harbor Masters Building. Our "UP THE BAY PONY TOUR" sign will be on a telephone pole as well a red sign showing "FLOATING DOCK #2."
- 1We will tour the southern and northern parts of Assateague island on the Virginia side searching for Chincoteague Ponies and Wildlife. We will travel in small guts and waterways to get as close as possible to all the wildlife. During the tour we will pass the Pony Swim and Assateague lighthouse. Sometimes we will cruise out into the open ocean to search for dolphins. Most of our tours will travel the entire distance around Chincoteague. We will also ask questions during boarding to get a feel of what everyone's expectations so we can tailor the tour to your liking!
Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- teresamD7590OS0 contributionsAwesome Captain and Experience.I was so glad that my husband went with this company. Captain Mike was awesome and very knowledgeable about the island, birds and ponies. He was also great at navigating through the marsh. I would do it again.Written August 22, 2024
- Roam7239110 contributionsBest Tour EverOur "UpThe Bay Pony Tour" was one of the highlights of our visit and we didn't get to see any ponies. What made it special was our tour guide, Mike. Mike, a local since birth, shared the history of the area. From when it all began and why, to who Tom was and why they named Tom's Cove after him. Mike was pleasant and funny. We highly recommend this tour. We know it will be a highlight of your visit to Chincoteague too.Written July 26, 2024
- billfS4036CS0 contributionsUnbelievable horse encounters with an incredible Captain!Captain Mike is extremely knowledgeable, genuinely cares about and knows so much background on the Chincoteague horses and each herd, and goes the extra mile to provide a memorable time!Written November 15, 2023
- edshura0 contributionsBest part of our vacation!Captain Mike is the best! He made sure that we were able to see the wild ponies up close! He is a wealth of knowledge about everything Chincoteague, and knows everything about the ponies! Definitely the best part of our trip and a must-see for everyone!Written October 6, 2023
- jacquelinep8630 contributionsA Fall Round Up Trip to Remember!Up The Bay Pony Tours completely exceeded our expectations! We saw several bands of ponies and even the elusive Twist! Captain Mike knows the area well and gave us so much information about the ponies. We ended up spending more than 5 hours on the water and enjoyed every second! We will definitely be booking a trip with Captain Mike every time we visit the island!Written October 1, 2023
- 20sadil0 contributionsThe best experience!Up The Bay Pony Tours is an experience you don't want to miss! We watched round-up and were expecting a 2-3hr tour, but Mike let us stay out on the water for upwards of 5 hours! We saw so many ponies that we lost count. Mike has all the insider knowledge to navigate tricky waters and get you as close to the horses as possible. He answered all our questions, shared history, and personal stories. He truly made this a day that my family and I will never forget! If you're booking a tour and you don't choose Up The Bay, you will be missing out! Thanks Mike!!!!Written September 30, 2023
- 961lucindaj0 contributionsAwesomeCaptain Mike is amazing! He is passionate and knowledgeable about the area. The tour was fun and filled with beautiful sights! We will book him again when we’re in the area.Written September 25, 2023
- LLD20 contributionsContagious enthusiasm!Mike is the best guide we have had in all our travels. A man of integrity that is knowledgeable, friendly, funny, eager to meet your expectations and interested in his guests. He shares his years of experience as a young boy exploring nature. His personal enthusiasm is contagious! Thank you for a great day!Written September 20, 2023
- H3435BTpaulb0 contributionsBest pony tourWe had an awesome tour. I could do it every day. Captain Mike found ponies. He answered all our question and explained each band and who was in itWritten September 20, 2023
- I6601HUjackieb0 contributions10/10 trip around the island!Our tour was relaxing, informative and tailored to what we wanted to see and learn. Capt Mike added so much to the tour with his island knowledge and happy disposition. We loved our time on his comfortable and clean boat!!!Written September 17, 2023
- robertsY3101DN0 contributionsWonderful tour!We could not have been more pleased w/our outing w.Mike yesterday. Mike's affable manner and eagerness to share and show these special places around Assateague along w/the flora and fauna otherwise not accessible, was wonderful. His knowledge of the wildlife movements (not just those special ponies) gave us views and images we could not have seen otherwise, and in a manner that was respectful of that wildlife. His concern for his passenger's safety showed too, with his monitoring of weather, etc. We have beautiful memories and images to carry us back and lift us, when we return back to our home and jobs. Thanks, Mike for such a spirit lifter. We would recommend you to anyone who asked usWritten September 10, 2023
- GoPlaces4315040 contributionsFirst Timers from Severn, MarylandWe had the best time even though it was very hot it was so worth it - Captain Mike gave us an amazing tour we saw Dolphins the lighthouse and of course so many pony's we couldn't have asked for a better tour or Captain on this trip - he knows his way around and the stories were great too, Thank you for a trip of a lifetime we will do this again especially w/ Captain MikeWritten September 7, 2023
- chrismW6801EQ0 contributionsExtremely worth it!Amazing experience to say the least! We saw horses, bald eagles, wild birds and dolphins. That covered the wildlife. Even if we didn't see them the veiws were spectacular! Captain mike is the man! Great Captain! Extremely knowledgeable and awesome personality! We'll be back 100%Written September 2, 2023
- faithmV8475SR0 contributionsBest tour for wildlife and history of the islandGorgeous views of ponies (of course), dolphins, eagles, and many other wildlife types. Mike is well versed in all the island history and lore, making the trip a learning experience as well as a visual treat.Written August 27, 2023
- kalyna20180 contributionsSecond time and we will be back!This was our third annual trip to Chincoteague and our second tour with Up the Bay. We enjoyed the tour and Captain Mike so much that there was no question that we would book again. Captain Mike is a local, a great guide and aims to please. He asked us what we wanted to see, and did not disappoint. Will be back next next year!Written August 25, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
421 reviews
Excellent
421
Very good
0
Average
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0
Terrible
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Ann D
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
This was a spectacular morning that will live in our family memories for a long time to come! We took a sunrise tour on Roundup Weekend and it far exceeded our expectations. Thanks to our local and expert captain, we were treated to the history of the island and the wildlife, sunrise views and of course…ponies! This was more than just "seeing" ponies. I was surprised and impressed that the captain was able to identify amazing opportunities to position the (very comfortable) boat in places where we could stop and truly observe the ponies and their habitat. Our vantage point allowed us to observe multiple bands of ponies both before and during the roundup. It was also very evident that the captain had a deep knowledge and respect of the ponies, other wildlife and the waterways. What’s more, is that I never felt like I was being lectured or given a tour script; it felt like we were out on the water with a friend who was as excited to be there as we were.
In addition to the tour itself, the customer service was exceptional. I had never been to the area and had no idea when I booked that there were special activities going on that weekend. Instead of taking advantage, Up the Bay Pony Tours called me to make sure I knew what was taking place, discuss frankly how opportunities may vary that weekend and provide options that ensured I was satisfied. This open, honest and helpful attitude continued throughout our tour.
In addition to the tour itself, the customer service was exceptional. I had never been to the area and had no idea when I booked that there were special activities going on that weekend. Instead of taking advantage, Up the Bay Pony Tours called me to make sure I knew what was taking place, discuss frankly how opportunities may vary that weekend and provide options that ensured I was satisfied. This open, honest and helpful attitude continued throughout our tour.
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have to say that was one of the best round up tours ever! I am really happy that it worked in our favor! Thank you for the review! - Mike
Written August 7, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anonj
USA491 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Unfortunately, we decided to cancel our private boat tour and trip to Chincoteague over a week out because the weather looked too chilly and uncomfortable. In addition to the excellent reviews, I'm very impressed with how my credit card was refunded within minutes of canceling our trip via email. Their promise to allow cancellations within 24 hrs is obviously legitimate. Thank you and you'll be our top choice in the future.
Written March 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! What a nice review. I appreciate the feedback and am I still bummed because of the weather but hope I get the chance again in the future to take you out. Thank you again for the review. - Mike
Written March 25, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anne C
Norfolk, VA77 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
What a wonderful experience riding through the waters around Chincoteague and Assateague searching for the elusive wild ponies. Capt Mike knows these places well and with eagle eye acuity kept watch for where the herds might be grazing. He peppered the ride with stories about local history and lore while expertly navigating the narrow, shallow channels. He was incredibly diligent about making sure we spotted not only the ponies but various water fowl. I wholeheartedly recommend Up the Bay Tours! And try to go at sunset for a spectacular sky show as well… thank you, Mike for your efforts! We thoroughly enjoyed our time.
Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CLK51
Allentown, PA200 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
This was a great pony tour with an entertaining and very knowledgeable guide. The love and respect Mike has for the ponies was evident and he seemed genuinely excited to share them with us. There were several cancellations due to the forecast so we only had two couples which made the tour even more enjoyable.
Written September 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Regina E
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • Friends
The tour operator, Mike, is a phenomenal guide. He knows so much about the ponies and Chincoteague. He is very willing to answer all questions and I asked a lot of them He shared about his childhood and his adventures on the island. He is a modern day Huck Finn. Take the tour. You will not be disappointed. His passion and enthusiasm for the wildlife and the area is contagious.
Written September 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn D
Brookeville, MD19 contributions
As first time visitors, we scheduled this tour for our first day hoping to learn about the area, see the Ponies and enjoy local wildlife. This tour was just perfect! Our Captain was so knowledgeable. He went out of his way to show us the Ponies, dolphins and he even spotted a turtle! We learned about local history as well as getting a taste of what it’s like to grow up on the island. This added another level of understanding about this beautiful area!
Written June 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marci m
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
This Island is special and Captain Mike may be the island resident who wholeheartedly understands that. His tour was beginning to end some of the most amazing regional information you are blessed to hear. Passion for the integrity of the horses, history and other wild life is palpable in his excitement. I feel like I know so many of the herd after the explicit details we were mesmerized by! Thank you Captain Mike the tour was unforgettable!
Written May 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JT D
7 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Mike was an amazing Capitan and tour guide. He started off his 11:00am trip telling us about his past and his passion for his tours as well as stated what he had noticed in his previous tour from that morning. He told us about how the Ponies had moved to a certain section of the waterfront and that they might leave soon, so the moment that the last couple boarded his brand new pontoon, Mike was taking off from port to go straight to the ponies. He got us up as close as he could, even striking land at points in order for us to be as close as possible. Mike told us stories about growing up on the island and the care he has for the ponies. Mike genuinely cares about these animals and that love is reflected in his work.
Mike has a great passion for his work, and is definitely a character. My family and I will 100% be chartering another tour with him in the future.
Mike has a great passion for his work, and is definitely a character. My family and I will 100% be chartering another tour with him in the future.
Written June 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad those ponies stayed for us! Thank you for the review. - Mike
Written August 7, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Erik&Caitlin
Virginia8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Fantastic tour! A must if you are visiting the islands - Mike's superb 2-hour tour of the bay made us love and appreciate Chincoteague and Assateague even more than than we already did (quite a feat, since we've been coming to the islands for years.) For starters, a very comfortable ride (my wife tends to have trouble on the water but she had no problem) - even more importantly, Mike knows the bay so well and was able to find fantastic sights, all the while providing great stories about living on Chincoteague and the history of the area which made us appreciate it all even more. We felt like we'd been out touring the bay with a friend.
Written April 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter d
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
I am not the type of person to leave reviews online. however after our experience with Mike on his boat today, I feel compelled to take the time to share about our experience viewing ponies this afternoon. It was clear within 2 seconds of meeting Mike that he is insanely passionate about this island, this waterway, the wildlife here, and especially these ponies. As a lifetime local, Mike is incredibly invested in delivering an authentic, personable, and enjoyable pony viewing tour. Mike is truly a master of his craft (pun totally intended).
Mike took the time and effort to make us feel comfortable in his presence by meeting the needs of everyone on our tour both young and old. He knows the location habits of the ponies and navigates his boat smoothly through tides, waves, and whatever else nature might try to surprise him with. I was very impressed with how Mike seamlessly navigated not only the boat but the conversation. His emotional IQ is as impressive as his historical knowledge of the area and the pony lineage on the island.
After some searching Mike located ponies on both the southern and northern sections of the island. We even saw some 7 day-old foals with their wobbly skinny legs. Without Mike navigating the nooks and crannies of the shoreline we never would have gotten within arm’s length of these beauties. Our tour was truly magical. Prior to today I had never met Mike. After our tour I feel like I have known him my entire life. We had a blast and learned a ton!
Mike took the time and effort to make us feel comfortable in his presence by meeting the needs of everyone on our tour both young and old. He knows the location habits of the ponies and navigates his boat smoothly through tides, waves, and whatever else nature might try to surprise him with. I was very impressed with how Mike seamlessly navigated not only the boat but the conversation. His emotional IQ is as impressive as his historical knowledge of the area and the pony lineage on the island.
After some searching Mike located ponies on both the southern and northern sections of the island. We even saw some 7 day-old foals with their wobbly skinny legs. Without Mike navigating the nooks and crannies of the shoreline we never would have gotten within arm’s length of these beauties. Our tour was truly magical. Prior to today I had never met Mike. After our tour I feel like I have known him my entire life. We had a blast and learned a ton!
Written April 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to do a review. Really appreciate it and thank you for touring with me! - Mike
Written April 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.