Kiteboarding at Assateague Island National Seashore near the salt marshes of Sinepuxtent Bay

Surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing are allowed on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island at both the Maryland and Virginia units of Assateague Island National Seashore. The only exception is that you cannot take off or land at beaches that have a lifeguard on duty.

Windsurfing and kiteboarding are allowed in the bay of the Maryland unit of Assateague Island. There are two access points within the park: the end of Bayside Drive and the end of Old Ferry Landing Road. I suggest Bayside Drive because it allows launching into the open bay, whereas Old Ferry Landing is situated more in the salt marsh.

Water near the Bayside Drive watercraft launch site in the Maryland unit of Assateague Island National Seashore

Water near the Old Ferry Landing watercraft launch site in the Maryland unit of Assateague Island National Seashore

Windsurfing and kiteboarding are allowed in Toms Cove at the Virginia unit of Assateague Island National Seashore. However, there are plenty of submerged oyster and clam beds, and most of the beaches are closed from March 15th through August 31st for shorebird nesting season.

I do not participate in any surf sports, and while I can tell you where they are allowed, I cannot offer any advice on whether Assateague Island National Seashore is a good place for them. I did see both kiteboarding and windsurfing in the bay in Maryland, so I know this area draws interest from local sportsmen. As for surfing, the only advice I had was from a park Ranger who surfs, and he said that North Carolina, where he is from, is better. He didn’t come right out and say the surfing at Assateague Island sucks, but he hinted at it. I saw no surfers during my two days at the park.

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