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Pony Express Nature Tours |
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| 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.
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Daily
tours to see wild ponies & wildlife operate 7 days a week
May 17th - October 11th
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The schedule is subject to change.
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| Price: |
Adults
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| 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 |
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• 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: |
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Bird
Watching Tours
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Sunset
/ Lighthouse / Dolphin Cruises
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•
CALL
toll
free
(757)
336-5956 or
1-866-PONY SWIM
for reservations
•
EMAIL
us for tour information & availability
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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.