Recreational boating in Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a great way to experience nature and beauty and fun. With 25 public boat ramps (as well as soft launches for kayaks and canoes), Dorchester is the only county on the Mid-Shore that does not require permits and fees at public landings.
Access to four major rivers leading to the Chesapeake – Choptank, Little Choptank, Honga and Nanticoke – is easy when launching a motorized vessel or personal watercraft from a Dorchester County public boat ramp.
There are several marinas around the county, from the Cambridge Municipal Yacht Basin with easy access to downtown Cambridge shops and restaurants, to River Marsh Marina at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, to smaller marinas. Dorchester is also home to the Cambridge Yacht Club.
Don’t have your own boat?
Charter boats that focus on fishing include 0 Dark 30 Charters, Bay Shore Adventures, and Li’l Hooper Cruises. Then there’s Captain Phil Gootee Charters for sightseeing, lighthouse, and fishing cruises. And the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester for sightseeing/maritime history sails, and Choptank Riverboats for crab feast, lunch/dinner, and sightseeing cruises.
Boating events
Powerboat races usually include the Cambridge Classic Powerboat Regatta in May, and Thunder on the Choptank in July.
Boat docking competitions usually include the Boat Docking Challenge on Taylors Island in late August, Waterman’s Rodeo on Hoopers Island in early September, and the Extreme Boat Docking Contest at Suicide Bridge Restaurant in late September.
Read more about getting out on the water in Dorchester County.
