New to boating on the Chesapeake Bay? Welcome. Here is what we think every first-timer should know before leaving the dock.

Quick answer: Before boating on the Chesapeake Bay, take a safety course: Maryland requires a certificate for anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, and Virginia requires a card for motorboats of 10 hp or more. The Bay averages only about 21 feet deep, so watch your depth and the tides.

Contents

Take the Course

In Maryland, you need a boating safety certificate if you were born on or after July 1, 1972.[1] In Virginia, you need a course card for a motorboat of 10 hp or more, or a PWC if you are 14 or older.[2]

Know the Depth

The Bay is about 21 feet deep on average. Its deepest point is 174 feet.[3] Much of it is shallow, so watch your chart.

Watch the Weather

Wind can push the water higher or lower than the tide tables say.[4] Check the forecast and our tides page first.

The Big Bridges

You may pass under the Bay Bridge in Maryland. It has 186 feet of clearance for ships.[5]

Dress for the Water

Cold-water falls cause many boating deaths in Maryland. Wear a life jacket.[1]

Frequently asked questions

Do beginners need a license to boat on the Chesapeake Bay? Maryland requires a safety certificate if you were born on or after July 1, 1972; Virginia requires a course card for motorboats of 10 hp or more.

How deep is the Chesapeake Bay? About 21 feet on average.

Where can I check tides before boating? On our tides page, which uses NOAA stations.

References

Pick a starting town on our map.