The West River is located, as the name suggests, on Maryland’s Western Shore. Located about 10 miles south of Annapolis, the West River is home to Galesville, a fairly remote, but convenient town that is well-equipped to deal with transient boaters. There are a handful of marinas in Galesville, and two of them are right on the town’s waterfront (one replete with restaurant).

Use NOAA Chart 12270.

From the West River opening at Chesapeake Bay, first pick up flashing green buoy “1” northwest of Curtis Point, and then head west-northwest for about 1.3 nautical miles to intercept flashing green buoy “1A.”

From this point, turn to the south toward flashing red “2,” which takes you into the West River, and then turn slightly more toward the west for a little less than two miles to pick up green daybeacon “3,” which is north of Cedar Point.

As you continue toward the southwest, note that the shoal around Cedar Point bends out into the channel between green daybeacon “3” and the next mark, green daybeacon “5.” Make sure you steer a little west once you have cleared green daybeacon “3” to clear the shoal. South of green daybeacon “5” is flashing red “6”, where you can turn south and head toward South Creek east of Chalk Point or the Galesville waterfron just to starboard.

Most of the marine facilities are located in Galesville, about four miles in from the entrance. Keep in mind that most of the West River is a No-Wake Zone and speeds are strictly enforced by the marine police.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.