Arrival and airport access
Nearest airport
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
Ground access
BWI, Washington D.C. airports and regional private aviation support access.
Discover the destination
Welcome to Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay is a major US East Coast yacht destination with Annapolis, sailing heritage, seafood, waterfront towns and bay cruising appeal.
Superyacht Guide Award
Superyacht Guide Destination Star
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good yachting destination
Preliminary Superyacht Guide destination note pending full editorial assessment. Chesapeake Bay has recognised North American yachting, strategic, cultural, marina, expedition or itinerary merit but has not yet been assessed for a higher Destination Star rating.
Preliminary Listing
North America Destination
Editorial Review Pending
Last reviewed: May 10, 2026
Destination Stars are editorial ratings based on cruising appeal, marina access, hospitality, scenery, events, seasonality and available information.
Destination intelligence
Key facts at a glance
The essentials for planning a visit, cruising or shore-side operations.
- Region
- North America
- Local area
- Maryland / Virginia
- Country
- United States
- City / area
- Annapolis / Chesapeake Bay towns
- Type
- Bay cruising and sailing region
- Cruising area
- Chesapeake Bay / US East Coast
- Best season
- May to October
- Nearest airport
-
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
BWI - Charter appeal
- High regional appeal
- Marinas
- 17 marinas in the destination area
Explore Chesapeake Bay
The destination guide
Chesapeake Bay is a major US East Coast yacht destination with Annapolis, sailing heritage, seafood, waterfront towns and bay cruising appeal.
Chesapeake Bay is included as a preliminary Superyacht Guide destination because it has clear relevance for North American yacht itineraries. These destinations may offer marina infrastructure, city access, cruising grounds, island routes, regatta heritage, luxury hospitality, expedition scenery, sportfishing, beach culture or strategic coastal-route value.
For owners and guests, Chesapeake Bay can form part of a wider itinerary involving harbours, islands, national parks, seafood, culture, private aviation, city events, sportfishing, refit support, wilderness cruising or seasonal coastal passages. Its current Destination Star rating is deliberately capped pending full editorial assessment.
Superyacht highlights
- Major US East Coast cruising region
- Annapolis sailing heritage and marina access
- Seafood, waterfront towns and calm bay cruising
- Useful route between New England and the US Southeast
- Strong summer and shoulder-season appeal
Plan the visit
Travel, berthing and planning
Operational details and access information for the destination.
Marina and yacht access
Marina access
The Chesapeake has extensive marina infrastructure around Annapolis, Baltimore and waterfront towns.
Berthing
Draught, bridge, berth and weather planning should be considered.
Planning details
Best time to visit
Late spring, summer and early autumn are best for bay cruising and sailing events.
Coordinates
37.020000, -76.500000
The waterfront
Marinas and berthing
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Beaufort Docks Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Beaufort , United States
- Max length
- 35.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Coinjock Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Coinjock , United States
- Max length
- 45.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Waterside Marina Norfolk
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Norfolk , United States
- Max length
- 55.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Tidewater Yacht Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Portsmouth , United States
- Max length
- 45.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Safe Harbor Zahnisers
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Solomons Island , United States
- Max length
- 40.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Harbor East Marina Baltimore
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Baltimore , United States
- Max length
- 55.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Zahniser's Yachting Center
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Solomons , United States
- Max length
- 35.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Bluewater Yachting Center Hampton
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Hampton , United States
- Max length
- 40.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Southport Marina North Carolina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Southport , United States
- Max length
- 35.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Port City Marina Wilmington
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Wilmington , United States
- Max length
- 60.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Morehead City Yacht Basin
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Morehead City , United States
- Max length
- 40.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Jarrett Bay Boatworks Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Beaufort , United States
- Max length
- 50.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Bluewater Yachting Center
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Hampton , United States
- Max length
- 45.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
York River Yacht Haven
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Gloucester Point , United States
- Max length
- 40.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Deltaville Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Deltaville , United States
- Max length
- 35.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Herrington Harbour North
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Deale , United States
- Max length
- 35.00 m
Marina profile
Waterfront · Marina
Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina
★★☆☆☆
2 Stars - Good marina standard
- Location
- Baltimore , United States
- Max length
- 45.00 m
Time ashore
Hospitality and experiences
Hotels and accommodation
The Inn at Perry Cabin; Sagamore Pendry Baltimore; Annapolis Waterfront Hotel; Washington D.C. luxury hotels
Restaurants
Maryland crab houses, Annapolis restaurants, waterfront seafood and yacht hospitality
Attractions and places
Annapolis; Eastern Shore; St Michaels; Baltimore Inner Harbor; crab culture; sailing
Events
Annapolis Boat Shows, sailing regattas and Chesapeake summer season.