Delmarva

The Delmarva Peninsula is bordered in the west by the Chesapeake Bay and the east by the Atlantic Ocean. It is comprised of parts of three states—Northeastern Virginia, Eastern Maryland and all but a small portion of Delaware. The coastline is a tourist mecca offering beaches, lighthouses, historic sites and, of all things, wild horses.

Assateague National Seashore

This 37-mile-long barrier island straddles the Virginia/Maryland state lines. It is bordered in the east by the Atlantic Ocean and in the west by marshlands and waters. The island's three public areas are managed  by the National Park Service, the Maryland Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Private development of Assateague Island was planned in the 1950s. Parcels of land were sold and some development began, but a massive nor'easter destroyed all of the existing structures on Ash Wednesday in 1962. All construction was halted and the island has since been nominally managed by the National Park Service. 

Assateague Island is known for a variety of shore and wading birds like great egrets and brown pelicans. However, it is best known for the feral horses, typically referred to as Chincoteague ponies (or Assateague horses), that roam freely on the island.

Beaches

Beaches line much of Delmarva’s Atlantic Coast. It is possible to find some that are remote and uncrowded. Sections of Assateague allow some relief from the throngs of beachgoers. Others, like Rehoboth and Ocean City, are famous for their iconic east coast boardwalks.