Solomons Island Harbor

Marinas near Solomons Island Harbor

Introduction:

The image above is a view from the south looking northeast over Back Creek, center of yachting activities in the Solomons area. With over eight marinas crammed within one mile along its shore, there is little that cannot be provided for boaters. If you’re up for a little shore time, the Calvert Marine Museum is located on the west shore of the creek, and there is a Holiday Inn farther up that has a grocery store close by.

First on the left as you enter the creek is Harbor Island Marina, offering full service and home of the Charles Street Brasserie. In the center right of the image is triangular-shaped Mols Leg Island with Janes Point showing up just to the island’s left (west). Solomons Yachting Center is located on Janes Point, and its facilities can be clearly seen.

Farther up to the left (west) is the expansive Zahnisers Yachting Center, which has all services and an excellent repair staff. Next up on the left is Boater’s Choice Top All Around Marina Spring Cove Marina, which has plenty of transient slips, gas and diesel fuel, a lift, and marine supplies at its ships store. The last marina up on the left is Hospitality Harbor Marina, which caters exclusively to transient guests. There is also an excellent anchorage just off the marina, though it is a bit unprotected from strong fall northwesters.

On the right (east) is Calvert Marina, an extensive transient and repair facility, while just north is Washburns Boatyard, which while not accepting transients, does have excellent repair facilities.

Mill Creek is the branch to the right (east) where you can head upstream to the Mille Creek Boating Center, which has transient slips available.

History:

The island itself was variously known as Bourne's Island (about 1680), Somervell's Island (1740- 1814) and Sandy Island (1827- 1865). The land was most likely part of the early land grant of Eltonhead Manor. Early land records show that the island was owned by a number of individuals until 1865 when a tract of eighty acres called "Sandy Island" was sold to Isaac Solomon.

Isaac Solomon, a Baltimore businessman, established a cannery together with associated services and workers' housing and was advertising his canning establishment as "Solomons Island." He leased small lots on the island to many people who paid a yearly rent varying from $9 to $21. In 1870, the community received official recognition when the United States Postal Service opened an office.

Post war population growth and development, changing economic patterns, and improved communications and transportation brought an end to the isolated community that was Solomons. Restaurants and gift shops have replaced general stores and grocery stores of former years. State-of-the-art hotels and quaint Bed & Breakfast inns have replaced much of the old landscape. Solomons' focus still lies with the waters nearby as marinas, marine suppliers, charter boat operators, the pilot station and other water-related businesses thrive in this sleepy waterside town. Tourism is now an important part of the economy of Solomons.

Information Courtesy Solomons Island Business Association

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12264.

Access to Solomons Island’s two creeks is via a shared entrance south of Ship Point just west of Ma Leg Island. Ma Leg Island is not charted with a name, but it is easily recognizable both on the chart and in person. The triangular island has sturdy breakwaters and two flashing red lights (“2” and an unnumbered aid). Behind the island to the west is a popular anchorage just off Solomons restaurants and attractions. Do keep in mind that these attractions can be quite noisy at night, however.

[b]Southern Approach[/b]

If you are approaching from the south, flashing red “6” (N38 18.934 W76 26.440) marks the western end of a shoal area and is followed by red daybeacon “2” a little farther north. There is also shoal that extends south from Solomons Island that is marked with flashing red “6A” (N38 18.741 W76 27.292). You can safely run between flashing red “6A” and aforementioned flashing red “6.”

Next, continue north toward red daybeacon “2” and flashing green “3.” At flashing green “3” head toward red daybeacon “4,” where you can head in toward Back Creek past Ma Leg Island.

[b]Eastern Approach[/b]

If you are coming up the Patuxent River from the east, it is easiest to travel north of the aforementioned shoal into Back Creek and Solomons, but do not cut any of the markers on this channel too close; there is shallow water right near them, so give them room.

Green daybeacon marks the start of the approach near waypoint N38 19.265 W76 23.102. Red daybeacon “2” is just north of green daybeacon “1.” From here, set an approximate course of 280 degrees magnetic for about .6 mile to intercept green daybeacon “3” and red daybeacon “2A.” Soon after, you will find red daybeacon “4” at the shred mouth of Back and Mill Creeks where you can head your way in past Ma Leg Island.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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

Things To Do/Local Events:

Voted one of the 15 "America's Happiest Seaside Towns" by Coastal Living Magazine, there are a multitude of things to do in the Solomons Island area.

One of the main attractions is the Calvert Marine Museum, which is located near the head of Back Creek. The museum features a plethora of interactive exhibits on the working craft of the Chesapeake Bay, local history and Chesapeake Bay wildlife.

The Chesapeake Biological Lab welcomes visitors to stop by and join the weekly behind-the-scenes tours of the lab.

Solomons Island is famous for its seafood restaurants, and there are dozens of them lined up on Back Creek, all within reach of the anchorages and marinas.

If you have a bent toward the piscatory, there are dozens of charter boat operations that operate out of the Solomons Island area for fishing.

Helpful Links:

Solomons, MD

Solomons Calendar of Events

Calvert Marine Museum