I paid $50 to take a boat tour around a beautiful island in Virginia filled with feral ponies. It should be on everyone's bucket list.

Tess LopezAug 8, 2024, 19:02 IST

I spent $50 to take a boat ride around Chincoteague Island. Ruben Lopez

I recently visited Chincoteague Island in Virginia and went on a boat tour.
I paid $50 for a two-hour tour and saw lots of feral ponies and other wildlife.

I love exploring places that fulfill my desire to get away without depleting my bank account. Eager to enjoy the outdoors after a chilly spring, I decided to book a trip to Chincoteague Island.

The seven-mile island in Virginia's Eastern-Shore region is best known for its beaches, unspoiled nature, and proximity to herds of feral ponies on Assateague Island. As Virginia's only resort island, the area's annual pony swim attracts about 50,000 visitors each year.

Though we didn't head to Chincoteague Island for the pony swim, I still wanted to see some of the estimated 150 ponies on the nearby Assateague Island via boat tour. So, I booked a $50 boat ride to see the area's wildlife and the ponies.

Here's what my experience taking a boat tour around Chincoteague Island was like.

I registered for a boat tour around Chincoteague Island for $50 per person.

I booked a boat cruise with Captain Dan's Around the Island Tours.Tess Lopez

We arrived at the docks in Chincoteague before our departure time.

The docks were pretty empty when we arrived.Tess Lopez

Our small group boarded the boat and cruised down the Chincoteague Channel.

I boarded the pontoon boat along with five other passengers, including my husband.Tess Lopez

The captain told us about the area's local history and wildlife as we drifted along.

We saw lots of wildlife just a few minutes after leaving the docks.Ruben Lopez

We saw the feral ponies just a few minutes into our boat ride.

We were super excited to see the ponies.Ruben Lopez

We even saw a second band of horses.

The second band of wild horses grazed in front of Assateague Lighthouse.Ruben Lopez

I felt extremely lucky to see the area's beautiful animals during the boat ride.

The horses seemed content with us watching them from a distance.Tess Lopez

Dark clouds rolled in while we were on the boat — then it started raining.

The waters of the Chincoteague Bay marsh were peaceful before the storm rolled in.Tess Lopez

Chincoteague Island is a dreamy destination, and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I had such a wonderful experience that I'm already planning a return trip.Ruben Lopez

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