Chincoteague
The island town of the Pony Swim, gateway to Assateague.
- Population
- 3,344 (2020 census)
- Pony Penning
- Every July since 1925
- Assateague Light
- 142 feet, built 1867
- Tides
- Two highs, two lows a day
Then
- 1600s
Eastern Shore farmers graze livestock on Assateague Island. The wild ponies likely descend from that stock, though legend credits a wrecked Spanish galleon.
- 1833
A 45-foot lighthouse is built on Assateague.
- 1867
The current Assateague Lighthouse, 142 feet tall and painted in red and white bands, replaces it.
- 1925
The first annual Pony Penning: the herd swims from Assateague to Chincoteague at slack tide, and the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company auctions the foals.
- 1947
Marguerite Henry publishes Misty of Chincoteague. The 1961 film Misty is shot on location.
Now
Every July, crowds line the channel for the Pony Swim. Most foals are auctioned to support the fire company, and the rest of the herd swims back to Assateague.
The town is the gateway to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, where the lighthouse stands.
Rocket launches from nearby Wallops Flight Facility, including Antares flights carrying cargo to the International Space Station, draw crowds of their own.
On the water
From NOAA's predictions for Chincoteague Island, USCG Station, VA over the next 365 days. Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).
- Pattern
- Two highs and two lows a day, close in size
- Typical daily range
- 1.8 ft
- Biggest swing
- 2.5 ft on Dec 25
- Smallest swing
- 1.1 ft on Apr 30
- Highest high
- 2.5 ft, Oct 1 at 9:43 AM
- Lowest low
- −0.7 ft, Jan 23 at 2:34 AM
11 tide stations around Chincoteague
- Chincoteague Island, USCG Stationin town
- Chincoteague Island, Lewis Creekin town
- Chincoteague Island, Blake Cove1.8 mi
- Chincoteague Island, Oyster Bay1.8 mi
- Chincoteague Channel (south end)2.3 mi
- Southern Chincoteague Island2.7 mi
- Assateague Beach, Toms Cove4.7 mi
- Franklin City5.1 mi
- Jesters Island5.4 mi
- Wishart Point, Bogues Bay7.1 mi
Show all 11 stations
- Wallops Island8.3 mi