April 11: Smith & Tangier Island Birding Cruise

Northern Harrier and Surf Scoter. Photos courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

Registration is open! All reservations will be confirmed via email. No cancellations after March 29, 2026. Trips are subject to weather cancellations.

We are very excited about our April 11 cruise aboard the Elizabeth Joy II to both Smith Island, MD and Tangier Island, VA. We’ll depart from Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD at 8:00 am. We’ll explore Smith Island in the morning and enjoy lunch at the Drum Point Market & Eatery. After lunch, we’ll cruise to Tangier Island for some afternoon birding. We’ll return to Crisfield at 4:30 pm.

The Elizabeth Joy II. Photo courtesy of Erica Patton.

Smith Island & Tangier Island Birding Cruise
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: $290/person (includes all-day charter boat and lunch at Drum Point Market & Eastery)
Captain: Allen Parks
First Mate: Barry Chew (please bring a tip for Barry; suggested amount is $20/person)
Guides: Russ Kovach and Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Pier N at the Somers Cove Marina, located beside the Rodeway Inn at 700 Norris Harbor Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817. GPS Coordinates for the exact meeting location: 37.975257, -75.856673.

Registration is open! Click here to register for the April 11 Smith Island & Tangier Island Birding Cruise.

Itinerary (please note that this may change slightly depending upon the weather):

  • 7:15 – 7:30 am: Arrive at Pier N in the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD so that we can check everyone in, use the restrooms, load the boat and depart promptly at 8:00 am
  • 8:00 – 9:00 am: Cruise from Crisfield to Smith Island aboard the Elizabeth Joy II
  • 9:00 – 11:00 am: Arrive at the Village of Ewell on Smith Island for a birding hike down the road towards the Village of Rhodes Point
  • 11:00 – 11:30 am: depart Ewell aboard the Elizabeth Joy II for lunch in the Village of Tylerton; cruise past the Ewell and Rhodes Point jetties (great birding hotspots!)
  • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: lunch at the Drum Point Market & Eatery in Tylerton
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm: depart Ewell for Tangier Island aboard the Elizabeth Joy II
  • 1:30 – 3:30 pm: birding hike on Tangier Island
  • 3:30 – 4:30 pm: Depart Tangier Island for Crisfield aboard the Elizabeth Joy II
  • 4:30 pm: Return to Pier N in the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD

Getting there and restrooms:

We depart from Crisfield at Pier N in the Somers Cove Marina, located at 715 Broadway in Crisfield, MD 21817. Please note that the entrance for Pier N is not accessible inside the marina. Pier N is located beside the Rodeway Inn, located at 700 Norris Harbor Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817. GPS Coordinates for the exact meeting location: 37.975257, -75.856673. There is free all-day parking at Pier N.

Try to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the scheduled trip departs to find Pier N, park your vehicle, and use the marina restroom. There is no head (toilet) on our charter boat, the Elizabeth Joy II. Jim Rapp (DBW Guide) or Barry Chew (First Mate) will be present at Pier N 45 minutes before the tour begins to help you load gear on the Elizabeth Joy II.

Google Map of Pier N at the Somers Cove Marina and the Rodeway Inn

Here are some commonsense approaches to make your trip more enjoyable:

WHAT TO BRING:

  • If you’re on a boat, bring a coat! Wear layers of appropriate clothing and shoes for weather which can be much cooler near the water. It may be warm on the dock, but our bay waters can be chilly in the fall.
  • If you are prone to motion sickness, please take Dramamine or Bonine prior to departure.
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Stay hydrated. We will have bottled water, but please bring your own as well. We will have access to restrooms on Smith Island and Tangier Island.
  • Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine. We only cancel trips due to dangerous weather, such as lightning or strong winds.
  • Optics are not provided. Please bring your own binoculars, spotting scopes and/or cameras. If you are on a pelican colony tour, we will be viewing the pelicans from skiffs, so you may want to bring a dry bag for your optics to keep them safe and dry from salt spray.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Although these trips are not physically demanding, there will be some walking and climbing in and out of boats. Your guides and the First Mate can assist you.
  • You must be able to enter and depart the boats with limited assistance. This may require climbing up short ladders from the boat to the dock.
  • During our birding hikes on the islands, you should be prepared to walk a total of three to four miles on paved surfaces. There is little shade and few buffers to protect us from the sun and wind.
  • You should be able to carry your own gear, such as backpacks and camera bags.

TIPS, SHOPPING & LUNCH:

  • Please bring a tip for the first mate on the Elizabeth Joy II (suggested amount $20/person).
  • If you want to do some shopping on the islands, please bring cash. Some businesses do not accept credit and debit cards.
  • We may be able to take pre-orders from guests for food to take home, such as a world-famous Smith Island cake or crab cakes. We will notify you after you have registered with the options for that trip. You will be responsible for paying for these items with cash on the island, and for transporting your food after returning to Crisfield.
  • Vegetarians and guests with seafood allergies must make their restrictions known prior to lunch at the Drum Point Market & Eatery.

POLICIES & BEHAVIOR:

  • Please review our Waiver and Release of Liability. We require all registrants to complete the waiver and bring a signed copy with them.
  • The schedule may change slightly during the day if unpleasant weather is in the forecast. Please be flexible as we endeavor to keep you and your fellow travelers safe.
  • Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Please use your discretion when registering.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and silence your cell phones during trips.
  • Smith and Tangier Island residents are warm and welcoming, but please be respectful. Do not enter private property, avoid taking photos of people without permission, and stay on one side of the road when walking to allow golf carts and vehicles to pass.
  • All reservations will be confirmed via email.
  • We do not accept cancellations after March 29, 2026. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
  • Trips are subject to weather cancellations by boat captains, outfitters and guides. If we must cancel an event due to dangerous conditions, we will notify participants via email, and refunds will be issued within 15 days.
  • We do not cancel trips for cold/hot temps or rain, and we strongly encourage our guests to dress and prepare for all weather. The birds will be there!