olated Tangier Island is located on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay off Tangier Sound and is only accessible by air or sea (there are no roads or bridges). The small island is about one mile wide, three miles long and has about 700 residents, most of whom work the local waters to make their living. Captain John Smith first visited Tangier Island in 1608, and in 1620 settlers arrived from Cornwall, England. Today, the islanders speak an English dialect (sometimes hard to understand) that dates back all the way to the original settlers.

The Tangier Island of today has several lodging establishments and restaurants.  Ferries travel to the island daily from Reedville, Crisfield and Onancock. These round-trip cruises provide a nice trip on the Bay and several hours of time to explore the island. The cruises are quite popular and summer days can bring as many as 500 visitors to the island. 

Use NOAA Chart 12228.

From Tangier Sound, pick up green can “3,” which marks a long shoal extending form the island into Tangier Sound. Once you have cleared this mark, head for flashing green “1” at the entrance to Tangier Island, and then follow the series of lighted and unlighted marks into the thorofare that cuts Tangier Island into two. Depths along the thorofare range from four to six feet, and you must also keep an eye out for unlit crab shedding floats that line the channel like little islands.

From the east, the entrance to Tangier Island is marked by flashing green "1." Once you have reached flashing green "1," you can proceed in toward the island's thorofare, which is marked by a series of lighted and unlighted aids to navigation.

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

Tangier Island Guide