Assateague wild ponies - Discover hidden Assateague where they live.
Assateague Island Visitor Services
Discover Assateague Ponies
Assateague Explorer's captain is a Chincoteague Island native that can take you to Assateague's hidden areas!

Pony Express Nature Tours
Cruise along Assateague where wild ponies live
When you are on Assateague Explorer's Pony Express Nature Tour, you visit the areas where you have the greatest chance of seeing wild ponies on your vacation. You will explore many secluded areas of Assateague Island's wildlife refuge where wild ponies live. Assateague Ponies are an unique breed and have lived here in solitude for about 400 years. Different bands or herds are dispersed along this extensive island. Our native captain knows where to travel to see many herds along the island each day. You will encounter a large variety of birds, wildlife and sometimes dolphins along the way. We see bald eagles in these areas almost every day.
 
We take you where wild ponies live!

Over 300 wild ponies live on over 40,000 acres of Assateague Island and it is estimated that less than 3% of these wild ponies can be seen from the road by visitors on vacation. Assateague Island is an unspoiled vast ecosystem of forests, wetlands, beaches and calm waterways. Assateague has only one street and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed miles of fence along it to keep the wild ponies far back in their natural habitat. These pony watching trips will take you to Assateague's most beautiful areas where over 150 wild ponies live. Please look at some of the tour photos .

 
The only way to see hidden Assateague

Assateague wild ponies thrive along Assateague's extensive 37 mile tranquil Western shoreline of bays, secluded creeks and pine forests. Assateague ponies are found feeding on salt marsh cordgrass and this grass attracts them to many shoreline areas along Assateague Island where we find the ponies everyday.

We spend each day observing wild ponies in different herds of about 5-30 ponies in various secluded areas along Assateague's shoreline. Your captain is a Chincoteague Island native and former Park Ranger who has an extensive knowledge of the area and Assateague's Wild Ponies. He has taken thousands of visitors to Assateague Island's remote places to experience what people were not able to see before. Visitors in the past could not reach these secluded regions which encompass most of Assateague. Wild ponies and other forms of wildlife are encountered here. The ponies and their young are seen close up on a daily basis. Visitors say it's the highlight of their vacation.

 
Pony Express Nature Tours depart from Chincoteague Island (be sure to call ahead for reservations). You will visit many areas along Assateague including the scenic area near the Assateague Lighthouse, which is among one of many places wild ponies are found. We encounter a large variety of shore birds along the way and usually bald eagles. Dolphin are seen up close during various times of the year. Assateague wild ponies have roamed these hidden areas of this 37 mile island since the 1600's and you will enjoy the experience of being a part of this unique environment. See a map of the tour area.
Time:
Departs daily at 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:00pm
• Tour duration approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hours
You can schedule an extra Pony Express Nature Tour or Sunset Tour and make the most of your visit.
Daily tours to see wild ponies & wildlife operate 7 days a week May 17th - October 11th
The schedule is subject to change.
Price:
Adults
Children 11 and under receive a $10 discount
 
Reservations:
Call (757) 336-5956 or 1-866-PONY SWIM (toll free).
An advanced reservation is required.
Spring Call Center hours: 2pm-9pm

Tours depart from: Chincoteague Island, VA at Curtis Merritt Harbor located on the south end of the island. The Assateague Explorer Captain and crew will meet you at boat slip #14 at your scheduled departure time (Be sure to call first for reservations). Driving Directions

 
Other Available Tours:
Bird Watching Tours
Sunset / Lighthouse / Dolphin Cruises
CALL toll free (757) 336-5956 or 1-866-PONY SWIM for reservations • EMAIL us for tour information & availability
 
Let us take you to Assateague's best places
Bring your camera.


We welcome all ages.
A journey of discovery
We also recommend reserving a Sunset Cruise or another one of our Pony Express tours, so you can experience even more herds of wild ponies while on your vacation to Chincoteague & Assateague Island.
Chincoteague & Assateague's top visitor attraction
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