FAQs
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce & Certified Visitor Center is the official tourism office for the Town of Chincoteague. We are open daily Monday to Saturday from 9:00am - 4:30pm and are located in the center of the turn circle at 6733 Maddox Boulevard. We are happy to assist you in person, over the phone at 757-336-6161, or via email. Stop in to talk with our knowledgeable staff, browse brochures and menus, and learn the must-do's during your visit. Purchase your official Virginia is for Pony Lovers shirt ($30), and Chincoteague-opoly game ($50 cash/check only) too.
Our Chincoteague Island Visitor Guide & Membership Directory is the perfect source to learn about all you can enjoy while visiting Chincoteague and Assateague Islands including accommodations, activities, dining, shopping, and more. Paper copies of this annual guide are also conveniently located in the box at the bottom of the porch steps or you can request one be mailed to you through our website or by calling the office. A digital version is always just a click away, if you prefer to view it from your computer or device.
We are happy to also offer interactive mobile technologies to explore hotels, restaurants, activities, shopping, audio tours, and more while building an itinerary to capture all you can enjoy while visiting the Beautiful Land Across the Water. Download the Chincoteague app for Apple or Android, use the interactive outdoor kiosk located in the Chamber yard, or online with our 'Plan Your Trip' Widget.
We look forward to helping you 'Discover your LOVE of Chincoteague Island'!
Planning the perfect getaway in Chincoteague just got easier! The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer the Chincoteague 'Plan Your Visit' Widget which is an interactive way to map out everything you don’t want to miss in Chincoteague. The widget provides a new way to explore what Chincoteague Island has to offer, including hotels, popular restaurants, activities, shopping, itinerary building, audio tours, and so much more.
The widget is available three convenient ways:
1. On ChincoteagueChamber.com, the official tourism website for Chincoteague Island, VA
2. The CHINCOTEAGUE APP which is available for both Android and Apple
3. An interactive outdoor kiosk conveniently located in the chamber yard in the turn circle on Maddox Boulevard
As of April 15, 2025, work has begun on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to move the Assateague Island National Seashore, VA recreational beach 2.5 miles north to a more stable area. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge has created a project page on their website to serve as a resource for planning documents and status updates on the relocation.
Beach Relocation Project Background
Text from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Beach Relocation page
Assateague Island is on the move. As a result of natural processes, the island is approaching the mainland at a rate of approx. 10-13 feet/year. Large storm events accelerate the process and lead to costly repairs and long-term closures of public parking areas.
More than $15 million has been spent for storm recovery since 2003 - including as much as $400,000/year on repeated maintenance costs.
The refuge, owned and operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the recreational beach, managed and operated by National Park Service, attract more than 1 million visitors annually. Closure of the parking areas due to storm damage reduces the ability of the USFWS and NPS to provide recreational beach access and interpretive opportunities to these visitors.
Over a multi-decade public planning and engagement process, the agencies carefully considered substantial public input and comments that informed the current strategy. Moving the recreational beach to a more stable location north of the existing beach was the only available course of action that could conserve wildlife resources on the refuge, significantly reduce annual and long-term maintenance costs, and protect the viability of the local economy.
The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore, VA are open the following hours throughout the year.
May through September - 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Daily
October - 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Daily
November through Mid-March - 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Daily
Mid-March through April - 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Daily
The Wildlife Loop is open during normal operating hours for walking and biking but is also open to drive daily from 3pm to dusk.
Entrance to the refuge is free if you are walking and biking or there are daily, weekly, and annual fees if you plan to drive your vehicle over. Annual military and senior passes are also available.
This is probably one of the most confusing and often mistakenly answered questions.....
Pony Swim and Auction are ALWAYS the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. Pony Swim Back, which takes place on Friday, can be on August 1st.
For instance in 2024, The last consecutive Wednesday AND Thursday are July 24 & 25 - so those are Pony Swim and Auction days. The swim is NOT July 31, which is the last Wednesday, because Thursday is August 1.
If you are ever in doubt or would like more details about Pony Swim events, please check out our Pony Swim Events Schedule page.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has developed a thorough list of frequently asked questions.... and answers regarding the Chincoteague Ponies.
The Town of Chincoteague in partnership with A&N Innovative Solutions has installed two universal EV charging stations in the Post Office Street parking lot conveniently located in Historic Downtown.
To compliment your stay, Anchor Inn, Comfort Suites Chincoteague Island Bayfront Resort, Key West Cottages, Marina Bay Hotel & Suites, and Waterside Inn all offer universal charging stations. Fairfield Inn & Suites Chincoteague Island Waterfront offers a Tesla charging station. While the Refuge Inn offers both Tesla and universal chargers.
