Sailing Itineraries

Just inside the mouth of the Patuxent River, Solomons Island, Maryland is not only one of the top cruising destinations on the Chesapeake Bay, but truly the gateway to cruising the Middle Bay.

Whether you’re looking for a daysail or a full week’s cruising, we recommend several itineraries to consider. Most are very “do-able” in a mid-size cruising sailboat with a 4-6’ draft. Naturally, your boat, crew skills/interests, and the weather play significant roles in your cruise planning, so flexibility is key. Plan ahead, use up-to-date charts and weather information, and call ahead for local conditions and marina reservations where possible.

Items of Note:

Solomons location: N 38º 19.58’ W 076º 27.62’

Reference Charts:

Solomons, Patuxent River: Chart 12264
Southern Potomac River: Chart 12285
Crisfield, Smith, Tangier: Chart 12228
Reedville, Rappahannock: Chart 12235
Herring Bay, Knapps Narrows: Chart 12266
Choptank: Chart 12263
South River, Eastern Bay: Chart 12270
Annapolis: Chart 12282

Navionics WebApp Chart Viewer

Weather links:
https://sailsi.com/weather.htm

Note:

Distances: listed in nautical miles, and are approximate on navigable path
Chartlets: used for illustration purposes, and not to be used for navigation
Download: you may download this page as a PDF

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Daysails* from Solomons Island, MD

1. Lighthouse Tour: Drum Point, Cove Point, Hooper Island Lighthouses, return (28 nm)
2. To Hooper Island Lighthouse, return (22 nm)
3. To Point No Point Lighthouse, return (32 nm)
4. To Cove Point Lighthouse, return (15 nm)
5. Up Patuxent River to Broomes Island, return (19 nm)
6. Up Patuxent River to Vera’s, St Leonard Creek, return (18 nm)
7. Race: Whatever boat is nearby!

All distances are approximate, round trip from Solomons.

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2-Day Cruises

1. Solomons to Oxford (marina or anchorage)
2. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to Deale/Herring Bay (marinas)
2. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to St Leonard Creek (anchor/marina at Vera’s White Sands)
2. St Leonard Creek to Broomes Island to Solomons

1. Solomons to Knapps Narrows (marina, or anchor NE of Knapps)
2. Knapps Narrows to Solomons

1. Solomons to Little Choptank (anchorage)
2. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to Potomac, anchor Smith Creek
2. Return to Solomons

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3-Day Cruises

1. Solomons to Crisfield
2. Crisfield to Tangier Island
3. Tangier Island to Solomons

1. Solomons to Crisfield
2. Ferry daytrip to Tangier or Smith Island
3. Crisfield to Solomons

1. Solomons to Yeocomico River or Smith Creek
2. Yeocomico/ Smith Creek to Tangier Island
3. Tangier Island to Solomons

1. Solomons to Reedville (Great Wicomico)
2. Reedville to Tangier Island
3. Tangier Island to Solomons

1. Solomons to Oxford
2. Oxford to Herring Bay
3. Herring Bay to Solomons

1. Solomons to Oxford or Cambridge (Choptank)
2. To Knapps Narrows (or anchorage Harris or Broad Creek)
3. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to St Mary’s River (anchorage or marina)
2. Explore historic St Mary’s City, anchor or marina overnight
3. Return to Solomons

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5-Day Cruises

1. Solomons to Oxford
2. Around Tilghman Island to St Michaels
3. Anchor in Wye River
4. To Herring Bay
5. To Solomons

1. Solomons to Deale/Herring Bay
2. To Annapolis
3. To St Michaels
4. To Knapps Narrows or Oxford
5. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to Oxford
2. To St Michaels
3. To Wye River
4. To Herring Bay
5. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to Crisfield
2. To Tangier Island (or Ferry trip to Smith Island)
3. To Onancock
4. To Reedville
5. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to St Mary’s City
2. To Reedville
3. To Crisfield
4. To Tangier Island
5. Return to Solomons

1. Solomons to Reedville
2. To Rappahannock River: Irvington, Urbanna or Deltaville
3. Rappahannock River
4. To St Mary’s River or Point Lookout (Smith Creek)
5. Return to Solomons

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Why Sail Solomons?

Sail Solomons is the best sailing school in the USA. You will not find a better or more comprehensive sailing package anywhere.

• Best School – Awarded ASA Outstanding School every year from 2008 through 2011 – more than any school on the Chesapeake Bay
• Best Instructors – All are ASA-certified Instructors and USCG licensed Captains. Awarded “ASA Outstanding Instructor” from 2007 through 2011.
• Best Boats – our fleet of Catalina daysailers and Beneteau and Jeanneau cruising boats are perfect for sail training and chartering.