Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your stay at The Refuge Inn on Chincoteague Island.
About Chincoteague & Getting Here
Your introduction to Virginia’s beloved resort island.
Where is Chincoteague Island?
Chincoteague is a small island off Virginia’s Eastern Shore. A drawbridge and causeway connect Chincoteague to the rest of the Delmarva Peninsula via Route 13. Chincoteague is about 2 hours from Norfolk and Virginia Beach (ORF), 3 hours from Baltimore (BWI) and 3½ from Washington, D.C (DCA). Once you cross the salt marsh surrounding our causeway, you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere special.
Distance to Chincoteague from Points North:
|
Location (points North) |
Airport Code |
Driving Distance to Chincoteague |
|
Pocomoke City, Maryland |
30 minutes | |
|
Berlin, Maryland |
50 minutes | |
|
Salisbury, Maryland |
SBY |
1 hour |
|
Ocean City, Maryland |
SBY |
1 hour |
|
Easton, Maryland |
1 hour 45 minutes | |
|
Dover, Delaware |
2 hours 15 minutes | |
|
Chesapeake Bay Bridge |
2 hours 15 minutes | |
|
Baltimore, Maryland |
BWI |
3 hours |
|
Wilmington, Delaware |
3 hours | |
|
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
PHL |
3 hours 15 minutes |
|
Washington, DC |
DCA |
3 hours 30 minutes |
|
Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
3 hours 45 minutes | |
|
New York City |
JFK |
5 hours |
Distance to Chincoteague from Points South:
|
Location (points North) |
Airport Code |
Driving Distance to Chincoteague |
|
Accomac, Virginia |
30 minutes | |
|
Cape Charles, Virginia |
1 hour 30 minutes | |
|
Virginia Beach, Virginia |
ORF |
2 hours |
|
Norfolk, Virginia |
ORF |
2 hours |
|
Williamsburg, Virginia |
PHF |
2 hours 30 minutes |
|
Newport News, Virginia |
PHF |
2 hours 30 minutes |
|
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina |
3 hours 15 minutes | |
|
Richmond, Virginia |
RIC |
3 hours 15 minutes |
|
Emporia, Virginia |
3 hours 30 minutes |
How do I get to Chincoteague Island?
What’s the best time to visit?
Every season has something to love:
- Spring: Birds, blooms, and baby ponies
- Summer: Pony Swim and classic beach days
- Fall: Quiet trails, migration, and golden marsh sunsets
- Winter: Peaceful escapes and cozy nights
Our birding guide breaks the year down month by month.
Where can I see the wild ponies?
How did the wild ponies get to Assateague?
Staying at The Refuge Inn
Details to make your stay smooth and comfortable
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in starts at 4 p.m. and check-out is by 11 a.m. You are welcome to stop by when you arrive in town, and if your room is ready early, we’ll happily check you in.
Do you serve breakfast?
Yes! Enjoy a complimentary brown-bag breakfast, including a hot sandwich, delivered to your room at the time of your choosing. For later meals, we can recommend excellent island restaurants featuring fresh seafood and local favorites, many within easy walking or biking distance.
Do the rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers?
Every room is equipped with a flatscreen TV, USB charging station, coffeemaker, mini fridge, and hair dryer. A microwave, ice maker, and vending machine for guest use are centrally located on each floor. We also have freshly brewed, locally roasted coffee available 24/7 at the complimentary coffee bar in the lobby.
Do you allow pets?
We do not allow any pets. While we love animals, the nearby Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge & Assateague National Seashore do not allow any pets, not even in your vehicle; consequently, pets accompanying our guests were often left alone at the hotel. This situation is not fair to the animals, other guests, or our cleaning staff; consequently, guests’ pets are not allowed on Refuge Inn property–not even in vehicles. This includes all varieties of pets, even reptilian, hypo-allergenic and hairless.
Do you have parking?
Yes. Parking is free for all guests. Additional spaces and overflow parking for trailers or larger vehicles is available seasonally upon request. We also offer free EV charging for guests, including one Tesla charger and one universal.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
Does the Refuge Inn have accessible rooms?
Yes. Rooms 135 and 136 are our designated wheelchair-accessible rooms, with extra-wide doors and wheelchair-accessible patios. The hotel is two floors with no elevator, so please tell us when you book if stairs are a problem and we will put you downstairs. Our accessibility page has the full detail on both rooms, parking, and getting around the property.
Exploring the Island
Everything you need to know about beaches, permits, rocket launches, and the great outdoors
How far is the beach from the Inn?
The Refuge Inn is one of the two closest hotels to the beach. The Assateague Island National Seashore– the only beach easily accessible from the town of Chincoteague– is located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The entrance to the Wildlife Refuge is ¼ mile from our front door, and a peaceful 4-mile drive or a 3-mile bike ride will take you to through the refuge and end at the beach. This is a scenic ride through the loblolly pine forests on the protected, non-commercialized barrier island. This short journey is something to be savored and appreciated, rather than rushed. That said, our location is key– because once you leave the beach and cross the bridge back to Chincoteague, we’re one of the first stops so you won’t need to wait in beach traffic along Maddox Blvd. and Main St. with everyone staying elsewhere in town.
Do I need a pass for the Wildlife Refuge?
A daily, weekly, or annual vehicle pass is required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to gain access to the Wildlife Refuge and the National Seashore. You can buy it right at the gate with cash or credit card. Any National Parks Pass will grant access for everyone in your whole vehicle.
Can I drive on the beach?
Over-sand vehicle permits are available seasonally (September-March) for qualified vehicles. Read our guide to the Tom’s Cove Hook for more information.
Are there lifeguards on duty?
Yes, in designated swimming areas during summer. At other times of year, swimming is allowed at your own risk.
Can I climb the lighthouse?
Yes, sometimes! The lighthouse is generally open for climbing on Saturdays. Check the Refuge Friends website for hours and information.
Can I kayak Chincoteague?
Yes, absolutely! We recommend rentals and tours from Chincoteague Island Outfitters. You are also welcome to bring your own– just be sure to get a launch pass from the Town of Chincoteague town office before using one of their public kayak launches.
Can I fish or crab while I’m here?
Yes, and you do not need a boat to do it. You can surf cast on Assateague, drop a line from the public piers and docks in town, or crab from the shallows. Virginia requires every saltwater angler to register, free, with the Virginia Fisherman Identification Program, including anglers who are exempt from licensing and anyone fishing on an out-of-state license. Our fishing and hunting guide covers species by season, boat launches and local guides.
What are all those satellite dishes along the road on the way to Chincoteague?
The satellite dishes collect weather data from satellites for NOAA. Most of the weather data you see on the news and online are processed right here at Wallops! Cool, huh? The same complex hoses NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and a U. S. Navy Base.
Why are there planes circling overhead on the way to Chincoteague?
The NAVY radar planes are conducting touch-and-go landing practice at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which is equipped to simulate the runway of an aircraft carrier.
When can I watch a rocket launch from NASA Wallops or the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport?
Several entities launch from MARS including Northrup Grumman’s Antares which resupplies the International Space Station.
RocketLab also has a large facility near Chincoteague– they launch Electron here now every few months and will also be launching their new Neutron rocket from a new launchpad at Wallops within the next few years.
Student launches occur several times a year with the RockOn and RockSat programs, which we are happy to host here at the Refuge Inn. Wallops also conducts unpublicized launches for the Department of Defense on a somewhat regular basis. View information on NASA Launches at NASA's website and at rocketlaunch.org
Is Chincoteague good for birding?
It is one of the top shorebird migration staging areas on the East Coast, and the refuge checklist records more than 270 species. A listening station on our own grounds has picked up 151 species since April 2025. Our birding page has a guide for every month, trail distances, and where to go by boat, on foot or from the car.
Local Tips
Insider advice to make the most of your Chincoteague adventure.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, layers for coastal breezes, sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars for pony or bird watching. In cooler months, add a jacket, hat, and gloves.
When should I book for Pony Swim week?
Early — rooms often sell out six months in advance. If you’d like to experience the Pony Swim, don’t wait to reserve
What’s the easiest way to get around?
Many guests rent bikes — the Refuge trails are perfect for cycling. The Bike Depot next door offers hourly and daily rentals, or you can bring your own and lock them in our convenient bike racks. There are other rental shops nearby that offer electric golf carts, e-bikes, GEM cars, and other fun island transportation.
What can I do on a rainy day?
Visit the Museum of Chincoteague Island, visit the AlleyOops Express arcade, go bowling, explore the NASA Wallops visitor’s center, browse local shops and galleries, or just cozy up with a book or a board game from our Lending Library and listen to the rain from the covered portion of our indoor/outdoor pool.
Visiting with a Group
Bringing the besties, or the entire birding group? We have a solution for you.
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes, seasonally, for groups of 10+ rooms! Please contact the front desk for details.
Do you have a meeting space?
Yes, our conference room is perfect for groups and seats up to 40 people. It has a very large TV, refrigerator, gas range with double oven, sink, and counter space. There is also a screened in porch with tables and chairs.
Do you host school groups?
Yes, seasonally. Please contact the front desk for details.
Do you offer direct billing arrangements?
Yes! Please arrange this with the front desk when booking your group.
Can you accommodate a tour bus?
Yes, usually, provided that many passengers are guests here (for parking space availability!) Please let us know if you will be arriving via bus, and we’ll block off a section of the parking lot for easier parking.
Other Common Questions
Little details that make a big difference.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes! Gift certificates can be purchased by phone and emailed directly. It’s such a thoughtful way to share a favorite island getaway, and we really appreciate everyone who shares the Refuge Inn with their loved ones. We enjoy meeting lovely new people!
Is the pool open year-round?
Yes. Our pool is outdoors during the summer, and converted to a heated greenhouse enclosure in the cooler months, so the pool is open and welcoming in every season.
Do you offer pool access to the public?
No. Insurance limits pool access to registered guests. For locals or visitors who would like to use our pool, you are welcome to become a registered guest by renting an available room at the published rate. For Queen rooms, the maximum permissible occupancy is 5 people.
How can I help protect the island?
Please respect wildlife, stay on marked trails, and leave no trace. Every small action helps preserve this remarkable place.
Still have questions?
We’d love to help you plan your visit. Call us at 757-336-5511 or stop by the front desk anytime. The Refuge Inn has been welcoming travelers to Chincoteague for generations. We can’t wait to become part of your story as well.