Assateague Explorer: Wild Pony Boat Tour Experience

Assateague Explorer boat tour, a local business established in 2001, has provided thousands with the opportunity to observe wild ponies in their indigenous environment. The tour was highlighted on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Assateague Island NS-VA Unit - A 90-minute narrated boat tour along the shoreline of Assateague Island where wild ponies roam. A great chance of seeing wild ponies and other wildlife such as dolphins, eagles and shorebirds.

What's Included
  • Narration with local knowledge of the island and its wildlife
Location
Assateague Explorer Pony Watching Cruise & Kayaking
Curtis Merritt Harbor Drive
The Assateague Explorer captain and the crew will meet you at farthest left side of the harbor. After you enter the harbor, stay left, past the restrooms/harbor master building, and go to the very end of the road. Look for the "Assateague Explorer" sign.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.9
(149 Ratings)
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1 star
Marykalbache
Oct 22, 2024
Personalized boating experience - This was a super chill experience. My husband and I were on the boat along with one other couple. We were able to see ponies, dolphins and even baby pelicans being fed! I really enjoy smaller, less commercial experiences and this fit the bill! Our captain was kind and accommodating and made sure we had a nice experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Connector40653879955
Oct 3, 2024
Great experience! - We went on a Sat morning and the ponies were standing in the marsh right near the road!! It was beautiful! We parked along with other cars right on the road and took many pics including colts!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurajf4703xd
Sep 21, 2024
Great time! - Beautiful morning on the water! Dolphins played around the boat. Captain was friendly and very well-versed in local history about the islands! Loved the trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad34586300990
Oct 25, 2024
Knowledgeable captain and great time on the water - We had a great time. It was chilly and we saw no ponies, however the captain was knowledgeable about the history of everything we saw. We saw many birds including Bald Eagles. We also got to see many dolphins. It's such a beautiful area and there's nothing better than being out on the water. We were able to bike around on the island and see the horses later so no harm done. We enjoyed ourselves and had a great time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikebi372ec
Sep 24, 2024
Good - The caption was fantastic! We saw wild horses and dolphins. The only disappointment was the tour guide spent too much time talking about herself rather than focusing on the tour topic of interest. We do recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carol_a
Oct 22, 2024
Beautiful Day - Not really any-left 15 minutes late bc captain was on the phone. Saw a few dolphins and no ponies! So disappointed-it was my birthday and I was so excited. Capt wasn’t very knowledgeable or at least didn’t seem so. Other boat tours we have taken the capt chatted pretty much nonstop. The day was gorgeous which was the saving Grace. I am sure there is no control over seeing the ponies so I can’t and don’t hold this against the tour at all.
Review provided by Viator
Antonio_p
Oct 7, 2024
Our ride to see the ponies. - Could not see the ponies. I wish we'd brought our binoculars. Ride was somewhat uncomfortable. Guide and Captain were fantastic. Very informative.
Review provided by Viator
Q489bytammyc
Nov 2, 2024
Ripoff tour - This tour was disappointing from start to finish! Complete waste of money and our day! We booked the 9:30am tour with the owner calling us saying it would be too cold to go out at 9:30 and asked us to switch to 12:30, reluctantly we agreed. Upon arriving no one was at the dock as we wondered around trying to figure out which boat we should be going on. A man finally said hello from the dock and we boarded signing a waver then waiting 25 mins for the other 12 passengers to board. We were packed into this small boat and departed. Our trip was exactly 1.5 hours with some dolphins and pelicans, we trolled through open water which seemed like forever while most passengers where on their phone, myself included, due to lack of our guide telling us anything. We were brought to the area the wild ponies are swam across for the yearly round up, which had flags flying and speed boats racing through then brought back to the dock. As someone looking to see the wild ponies this tour was a complete disappointment! Sign me up for a refund
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_v
Oct 14, 2024
Below Average - They should add more information for booking. 1) they didn't put the dock location, and we had an older adult who can’t walk far. 2) the style of boat has shorter sides than other boats, so you're likely to get splashed. You should wear waterproof clothing and bring blankets if it's cool. We got soaked. 3) The narration consisted of telling us the names of land masses. To get any more information, we had to ask.
Review provided by Viator
Judith_c
Sep 30, 2024
A HORRIBLE DAY ON THE WATER!! - Horrible!! Departure was delayed waiting for eventual no shows. Staff tried unsuccessfully many times to reach the "office" for instructions. Eventually, a very small boat was substituted due to fewer travelers than expected. Captain had readied larger vessel but was advised he had to use this vessel and was obviously very unhappy, mentioning this several times. Advertised as wheelchair accessible, however, not easily accessible for me with limited mobility. Some kind of an uneven rubber mat was placed in the boat for entry/exit footing that was outright dangerous. PFDs were available but not readily accessible. Flotation cushions were provided as sit-upons but not identified for emergency use. No chairs just sitting on a "box" without back support. No guide with wildlife knowledge only the captain. Advertised with two 45-minute stops which did not occur. Captain's few comments could not be heard by most passengers over the noise of the engine. Would definitely not recommend this company.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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