Eastern Shore surfers

Smith Island waves?

I don't think so, but I'm thinking of the Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay that's populated by people who are all cousins.
There are some breaks on the Atlantic coastline islands, but they are generally not easy to get to. The plus side of that is the crowds are minimal.

 

I remember about 15 years ago some pro surfer from Virgina beach talking about oyster shell reefs creating point breaks off of some of the barrier island along Virgina's coast. He had a large enough boat to explore from the Atlantic side of the islands. I think he mentioned Fishing Island, the one the Chesapeak Bay Tunnel bridge crosses, had a wave that broke on one of the sides. I attempted to explore a couple of the norther islands a number of years ago.. some are wildlife refugees and are legal to camp on. But just before departure with loaded canoe, 2 dogs, one buddy, electric motor and surfboard in tow a ranger rolled up and put a premature end to the trip. Nesting sea-birds- No dogs allowed. We bailed to Marylands side of Assateauge and had a misserable time being torn up by black flys, mosquitos and no waves. We actually paddled the canoe out into the Atlantic drinking beers trying to escape the tourture on shore. Good luck with your search.

 

I've never heard any mention of point breaks in Virgina, but I have seen quite a few shots of nice left and right points up in Mass.-Maine firing during the fall and winter season. Could be worth it if you're willing to drive and explore.

 

I heard that Fishing Island has a hell of a break when the swell is good. The same guy told me that it's illegal to be on the island (off the road, of course), because it's a wildlife preserve. It's legal to be in the water, but set foot on the island and you could be in for some serious fines.

 

yeah one of my buddies down in VA beach went out to fisherman's isle during the noel swell, he anchored his kayak under the bridge and made the long paddle out to this left that breaks off the island.. he said it breaks forever but the swell direction has to be just right so its really really fickle, but when its on there is a perfect left that breaks for like 500 yards

 

There was ann article on surfline years ago about fisherman's island. I grew up in MD and went to college down in Charleston, SC and have traveled over the tunnel numerous times over the years. Fisherman's rolls in smooth but only gets really good on direct east swells with a N and NE wind. And, the bigger the swell the better. You have to get there by boat and definitely can't park anywhere nearby without some serious fines.

I have personally surfed Captain's but not with a whole lot of luck. Have caught it a couple of times on huge nor'easters over that last few winters about waist-shoulder high rolling around the point only 20ft off shore. There is a large trench right off the coast that really hurts it on the wrong tide. We also got pretty lucky not gettng in trouble running our little jon boat right up on the shore since most of the areas have signs posted saying "no access-bird sanctuary."

 

Pointbreaks in Virginia

1. At the hovercraft ramp on the base of fort story only during huge south swells. The swell wraps into the bay 90 degrees, causing the wave to become super long, and the south winds become offshore. Ive surfed all over the world and this is probably one of the funnest waves i have ever surfed. Only trouble is that you have to walk over 2 miles to get there, cause u cannot park on base.

2. Fishermans island. Ive told you guys a hundred times how to score that, so if you want to know look up the old fishermans island post, all i can say is i have surfed it a few times and i dont own a boat.

3. Hog island, reeling lefts. And yes its true, i talked to a surfer that has lived on the eastern shore his whole life, and hog island is their go to spot. Jet skis make access much easier. Great Machipongo inlet is really all u need to know.

4. When there is a strong nor easter, there are a few points in the bay that will break. a few of them are up past buckroe beach, but be careful. The inside is full of submerged posts stuck into the sand. Its called Hawkins Pond

 

I have been planning a Fisherman's island trip for this fall. just waiting for a system to roll through to catch the right swell direction. I've seen it reeling from the bridge but never got to it. I'm going by boat from Fisherman's up to Hog Island. I will put up a post when/if it happens. No Pictures tho. I'd be pissed if we go to all the trouble of putting out by boat and there be some other guys on it.
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FCX CLARITY

 

there are gonna be dudes on fishermans island... ive never surfed it alone.. always a crew of longboarders on it, but their cool though, that wave is sooo long and good. and your wasting your time taking a boat, just kayak across from the rest stop directly after fishermans and then run to the break,, much much easier

 

yea it was matt keleche and he surfed fishermans island i hear that place gets sick but only like once a year hahah

 

if the swell isnt at least 7 foot solid in VB and out of the southeast and the winds are not out of the north east dont even bother... so translation, probably 3 or 4 times a year max

 

guys, you want to keep the spot talk down... people always get aggravated when this happens. never fails.

 

for real! leave bull shark breeding ground for the locals....they are friends with the sharks

 

I retract my question... used spots and mentioned bull sharks. Sorry. thanks.

 

Today's fishing report was just talking about all of the sharks that have been caught around the southern end of Eastern shore. Keep them feet up.

 

My buddy is a park ranger at a spot that has 2 nice pointbreaks. It is the shark capital of Florida, with the arguable exception of NSB Inlet. He has literally begged me to come out and surf with him on big north swell days during migration season (Spring). I usually decline. It's a long walk and if you get bit, it is a long way back to get help. We used to call it Sharky's Point. It is a state park now. Valhalla knows where I am talking about. Spooky water.

 

A few years back the images on Google Maps were taken while a swell of pretty good size was running, and you could actually see some of the points working with nice pinwheel lines.

 

Duuuude! Pinwheel lines ^^^^^ I'm getting a chubby.