MAKE A SPLASH

If you’ve visited Annapolis before, you may have strolled around Ego Alley and City Dock watching the boats maneuver the narrow pass, or perhaps eaten some seafood at a waterfront restaurant while enjoying the sunset and the gentle shushing of the river. But if you’ve never taken your Annapolis adventures out onto and into the water itself, now is the time! Visitors can steer those boats through Ego Alley or catch their own seafood and learn the tricks of the trade from a local. Being out on the water is a unique and memorable experience, and so many of the activities in the area are built around sharing the love of the Chesapeake Bay with visitors.

Annapolis and Anne Arundel County offer more than 500 miles of coastline for visitors to explore. With activities ranging from parasailing to marshland hikes, there is something for everyone to choose their own waterfront adventure.

Everything is better on the water, so be sure to wander down to the docks or head into the Naval Academy to walk the seawall.

Better yet, get out for a sail on the Woodwind, book a fishing charter, take a cruise on the Harbor Queen, take a ride on the water taxi, or go on a parasailing, kayak or stand-up-paddle adventure, and take home memories to last a lifetime.

MARY EWENSON, Annapolis Boat Shows president Publisher of SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk EWE Spirit Foundation president by Will Keyworth, SpinSheet

SAILING: ANNAPOLIS’ GREATEST LOVE

Did you know that Annapolis is America’s Sailing Capital? In 1995, an Annapolis City Council proclamation, with the support of then-mayor Al Hopkins, laid claim to this title for the city. According to a 2015 article by Gary Jobson, famed sailor, commentator, author, and Annapolitan, “Initially, the slogan was a play on words.” As in, since Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and also happens to love sailing, we are a sailing capital. None of the other sailing hubs in America happen to be capitals of their state (sorry, Newport and San Diego.)

Besides the clever wordsmithery, Annapolis earns its title in myriad other ways with the Naval Academy, the annual United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows, Wednesday Night sailboat races, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), sailing schools, a longer sailing season than northern locations (some would argue year-round), and the list goes on.

And why do sailors love Annapolis so much in return? Sailors love the sail-centric mentality of the town, the ample docks, moorings and anchorages, top-notch marine services, and the walkability and easy transportation options for those arriving to town without wheels.

If you couldn’t fit your sailboat in your carry-on, have no fear. There are plenty of ways to experience boating in Annapolis as a visitor:

Rent or Charter a Boat: Explore at your own pace. Check out the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County website for listings of more than 40 local companies with boat rental and charter options. Many companies offer customized, private charters such as Seas the Bay Private Charters who specialize in romantic sunset cruises and excursion charters, or Schooner Woodwind Sailing Cruises, who offer reunion or birthday groups, teambuilding cruises, and many more options. Annapolis Sailing School offers sailing classes. including half-day and full-day private classes.

Watch Sailboat Races: If sailing is more a spectator sport for you, watch all the action by land or sea. Some great

Planning an extra-special reunion, engagement party, or fundraiser? Yacht rentals in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are a great way to host your event surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Chesapeake Bay landscape. Check out Yacht Charters on the Bay by Watermark or the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County website for lots of options to host your large event on the water.

If you’d rather feel like you are in the water rather than on it, look into some of the watersport rentals where you can rent canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards (SUPs), and jet skis. Annapolis Canoe & Kayak, a favorite local business operating out of Eastport since 1991, has everything you need for an on-the-water adventure, including kayak and canoe rentals, safety gear, clothing, and paddles. Capital SUP is another great choice for SUP and kayak rentals, as well as special events like eco tours, SUP yoga, and

If you’re looking for some speed in your waterfront adventure, find Breakwater Adventures located in Glen Burnie for jet ski rentals, including a double-seater model, and Z Flight Watersports for parasailing experiences.

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake is a unique boating experience and family favorite. Young landlubbers will get their sea legs on this cruise aboard the Sea Gypsy (run time: 1 hour, 15 minutes) while learning how to be a pirate and searching for treasure. This experience is pure fun with costumes, water cannons, and a real live pirate ship! Tickets are sold individually, or group party rates are also available.

As a lifetime Marylander one of my favorite pastimes is going to Sandy Point State Park for a day of fishing and crabbing with family. Watching the sunrise on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is just as breathtaking today as it was when I was a kid. Annapolis is my favorite local community to visit for some great seafood. While Main Street offers great variety, I especially love visiting the restaurants that are hidden away in the local communities alongside the rivers and creeks.

DONNIE SUTTON, General Manager, Marriott Hotels, BWI Airport Marriott Member

Fishing & Crabbing: Even though there are plenty of amazing seafood restaurants around Anne Arundel County, there is something thrilling about catching your own dinner! Try your hand at catching “the big one” at one of the many fishing hotspots around the county.

Many county parks have fishing areas, such as Beverly Triton Nature Park in Edgewater, Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, and Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park and Thomas Point Park in Annapolis.

Rod ‘N’ Reel Marina & Restaurant run fishing charters with many options and types of fishing such as trolling, bottom fishing, and chumming. Not only will the captains help you reel in your fresh catch, but then the chefs at Rod ‘N’ Reel will cook it up for you for a truly full-service fishing adventure.

Family Fishing Adventures is a great option if you want to bring the whole family along on your fishing and crabbing adventure. Board the Sea Dragon for a 90-minute catch-andrelease experience the kids will be talking about all summer. Tours launch from Annapolis City Marina in Eastport.

Want to learn the trades of the Bay from some true watermen? Check out Chesapeake Bay Storyteller tours. On these hands-on tours, you’ll learn to bait and pull crab pots, tong for oysters, and shed soft-shell crabs, all while hearing the history and pro-level tips these veterans of the water have to offer. Each of the 10 chartered tour options is a different adventure, designed by each individual captain to showcase their specialized knowledge, favorite sites, and secret spots.

Other Waterfront Destinations To Explore

The Annapolis Maritime Museum is a fascinating waterfront venue in the former McNasby’s Oyster Company building. The museum, tucked down on Second Street in Eastport, overlooks the Chesapeake Bay and many events held there make use of the splendid waterfront views from their wraparound deck. Visitors can take skipjack tours on the Wilma Lee , built in 1940. This is also a great stop to learn about the history and environment of Annapolis and to truly understand the maritime heritage of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Nestled under the shadow of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Sandy Point State Park has so much to offer including swimming areas, sandy beaches, imaginative playgrounds, fishing, pavilion space, spectacular panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay. Sandy Point is also home to many special events throughout the year such as the Polar Bear Plunge Special Olympics fundraiser event in January, the Maryland Seafood Festival in September and Lights on the Bay holiday lights display November through January.

Fort Smallwood Park is located at the northern tip of Anne Arundel County and covers 90 acres where the Patapsco River and Rock Creek meet the Chesapeake Bay. The park takes its name from Fort Smallwood, a fort in use from 1890 until 1927. Visitors can spend the day swimming, birdwatching, playing on the accessible playground, fishing off the Bill Burton Fishing Pier, or just enjoying the views of the Bay with Baltimore off in the distance.