Is Chincoteague Island Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Visiting Chincoteague Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and charming local culture.

Located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Chincoteague is renowned for its wild ponies, scenic beaches, and abundant wildlife.

This area is also referred to as Delmarva, which encompasses the entire peninsula from Delaware to Maryland to Virginia.

Indigenous people once fished off this land, but the poor agricultural soil made it a place to visit, not live.

They named it Chincoteague (SHINK-uh-teeg), which means “beautiful land across the water.”

For that matter, Assateague means “swiftly moving water,” and the Assateague Island National Seashore is just across the bridge from Chincoteague.

European settlers arrived in the 17th century.

Once again, the land wasn’t fit for farming, but it did have enough vegetation to feed the now-famous Chincoteague ponies.

To get in the spirit of the island, read the famous Misty of Chincoteague books by Marguerite Henry or watch the 1961 movie Misty.

A highlight for many visitors is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which spans thousands of acres and includes the picturesque Assateague Island Lighthouse.

The island isn’t very developed, a fate that was sealed when a hurricane in the 1960s left the island underwater.

While Assateague Island was once expected to have a big resort town, the hurricane destroyed the beginning of the development.

It was determined this area is too exposed to tropical weather to have any more structures or populations.

When the island and barrier island aren’t at risk of flooding, this is a remote and laid-back waterfront experience in some of the most preserved and raw beaches, marshes, and building spots in the country.

Warnings & Dangers in Chincoteague Island

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk is low on Chincoteague Island, but there are several specific things you need to know when visiting to maximize the experience and put safety first.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You'll need to get to the island on your own, but once you're there a seasonal trolley runs the length of the island. I strongly recommend you check the schedule before you rely on it. Most places on the island and nearby barrier islands can be accessed by boat or car. I wouldn't expect too many taxis or rideshares here.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The island hasn't had more than 40 thefts since 2019, with no pickpockets or purse snatchings reported in that time frame. The risk is low but never low enough to let your guard down.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk due to flooding, be it long-term flooding, flash flooding, king tide flooding, or storm surge. Severe thunderstorms and tropical activity can also cause windy and dangerous conditions with lightning.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Only about two robberies happen a year here, so that's a low risk for everyone. You should still use personal safety measures to keep that risk low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is a low risk as the island is surrounded by water and relatively remote. However, it still helps if you report suspicious activity to the local police.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. It's hard to find any news articles about Chincoteague since it's such an under-the-radar type of place, but the one or two scams reported over the past decade targeted residents. The risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There's no reason for a woman to be more concerned or less concerned. Solo travelers might feel a little isolated if they are looking for a vibrant waterfront community. However, women travelers should know the steps for water and wilderness safety.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. For water quality at the beaches and waterfront, check the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Safest Places to Visit in Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague.com is the island’s official tourism site.

It covers Chincoteague and Assateague attractions.

If you’re planning to visit for the Chincoteague Pony Swim, that happens on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July.

When you first enter the island from the causeway, downtown is just a short distance south. Robert N. Reed Downtown Waterfront Park sits right off of Main Street.

This is also where the Misty of Chincoteague Statue stands, with the other one in Kentucky.

A small collection of shops and restaurants fill the downtown area, too.

At the southern tip of the peninsula is Merritt Harbor, where several cruises depart for trips to see the ponies, dolphins, or the Assateague Lighthouse.

This harbor area is also one of the best spots to see a rocket launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on nearby Wallops Island.

A schedule is available on NASA’s website, but don’t expect a lot of advance notice or be surprised if there are delays.

Further north on the island before the crossover to Assateague Island, the Museum of Chincoteague Island tells the story of this storied, watery land.

Exhibits include the famous Chincoteague Ponies, local maritime history, and artifacts from the early settlers.

The Captain Timothy Hill House is the oldest house on the island, dating back to the early 19th century.

What’s particularly fascinating about this historic home is that nobody knew it was there until 2009.

You’ll learn about the surprise find when you visit.

The Chincoteague Pony Centre is on the island, not at the wildlife refuge.

This centre is a breeding facility as well as a place open to the public on weekends.

Guests can help with the ponies, pet and feed other barnyard animals, enjoy equestrian shows, and shop in the store to find souvenirs.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is the big draw in this region, featuring diverse habitats, wildlife viewing opportunities, and the iconic wild Chincoteague Ponies.

There are also hiking and biking trails, a lighthouse, and guided tours.

The lighthouse is open for tours on specific days in the summer.

Assateague Island National Seashore is just five miles from Chincoteague, but that’s only to get to Assateague Beach.

The expanse of the national seashore is wild and untamed, meaning there are no roads.

Over Sand Vehicles (OSV) are allowed, but there are a slew of regulations you need to review on the National Park Service website.

The rules are different for Virginia and Maryland, so check for the “North OSV Zone” to find the Virginia information.

Places to Avoid in Chincoteague Island

You don’t need to worry about bad neighborhoods here.

The risk is low throughout the island.

The biggest risk is flooding.

While that makes sense, considering it is an island, the message comes with bold and italicized warnings.

As a barrier island and outer island, Chincoteague and Assateague bear the brunt of tropical storms, subtropical systems, hurricanes, and any other heavy rain event, especially at or near high tide.

In the 1960s, the island was underwater due to a storm.

Plus, since you’re on the Delmarva Peninsula, you need to drive a long way to get to a place shielded from approaching hurricanes.

Even getting as far as Richmond takes three and a half hours by car without traffic.

To punctuate – it doesn’t need to be a major hurricane to cause major flooding or storm surge threats on Chincoteague.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Chincoteague Island

So... How Safe Is Chincoteague Island Really?

Chincoteague has low crime rates, especially considering that 1.5 million people come through the city and island each year.

Violent crimes average around four per year, with about two thefts per month.

In fact, only 34 property crimes happened on the island in 2022.

The low crime rates are largely due to the lack of development and a conscientious full-time resident population of 3,000.

That leaves the biggest risks on the island to be those of wilderness, water, and weather.

In this article, we’ve talked about the safety steps you can take while visiting this area, and that largely depends on how well you prepare for the risks and avoid the dangers as much as possible.

I wish I had more information to share with you, but the safety concerns here are pretty straightforward.

If you’re looking for a more developed beachfront or island, I’d suggest Virginia Beach.

How Does Chincoteague Island Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Chincoteague experiences a mild climate year-round. Winters are cool, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to 50s (F). Spring brings moderate temperatures, typically between the 50s and 70s. Summers are warm and humid, with highs in the 80s to low 90s and occasional thunderstorms. Bring bug spray and sunscreen any time of year when visiting the island.

Airports

The closest commercial airports to Chincoteague Island are Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (50 miles north), Norfolk International Airport (100 miles south), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (150 miles northwest).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you from the costs of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Chincoteague Island Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

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