Chesapeake Bay in Virginia

Trip Overview

This sea kayak paddle is in the open waters of Milford Haven where it joins the Chesapeake Bay. I paddled this on a calm sunny January 1st. This area can be a good winter paddle in calm winds due to the shallowness of the water and the proximity of land. It can be a very fun paddle on a windy summer day. In calm winds this is an easy paddle but it can get rough with an East or North wind. This trip can be only a couple of hours or if you explore you could spend all day.

Launch at the public landing at Whites creek, Paddle north along the creek with Rigby Island on the right. After about a mile you will enter Milford Haven and the open Chesapeake Bay will be on the right. Milford Haven is protected from the Chesapeake Bay by some small sandy islands on the right. The water is shallow here, in some places it is only 2 feet deep and it is very sandy. The small islands have lots of shells and that have washed up on them. Continue to paddle north toward Gywnn's Island, which is about 1.5 to 2 miles North of Rigby Island. The smaller islands stretch toward Gywnn's Island except for a channel about 200 yards across. This area is locally known as the "Hole in the Wall", supposedly good fishing in the summer. After reaching Gywnn's Island, re-trace your path but on the outside of the small islands and Rigby Island. After reaching the south end of Rigby Island turn east into Whites creek and paddle back north for about .25 miles to the launch site.

Accommodations:

None

Fees:

None

Directions:

From Mathews Courthouse follow Rt198 East to Rt 643. Turn right on Rt 643. Go approx 1 mile then make another left on Rt 643. Follow Rt 643 to T in road. Turn left on Whites Creek road. Follow to end, public launch on right.

Resources:

USGS Quad Mathews VA