Assateague Island is a 37-mile barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, home to more than 80 wild horses that have roamed freely since the 1600s. The best way to see them from Ocean City, MD is from the water — by jet ski or pontoon boat along the bay side of the island. OCA Watersports' Famous 6 Mile Ride follows the Assateague shoreline, giving riders a direct view of the horses, dolphins, and protected National Seashore landscape that most visitors never get to experience.
The History of Assateague's Wild Horses
The wild horses of Assateague Island are one of the most enduring legends of the Mid-Atlantic coast. According to local lore — and the beloved children's book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry — the horses descended from Spanish mustangs that survived a shipwreck off the Virginia coast in the 1600s. While historians debate whether they arrived via shipwreck or were brought to the island by early colonists looking to avoid mainland fencing laws, the result is the same: for over 300 years, these horses have lived wild and free on a barrier island exposed to nor'easters, hurricanes, salt marsh, and open ocean.
Today, the horses are split into two herds. The Virginia herd, managed by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, lives on the southern end of the island. The Maryland herd — the one you can see from Ocean City — is managed by the National Park Service (NPS), which has overseen Assateague Island National Seashore since 1965. The NPS manages the Maryland herd through a contraceptive program to keep the population sustainable at roughly 80 to 100 horses.
Why Seeing Them from the Water Is Better
Most people who visit Assateague Island do it by car. They drive across the bridge from Route 611, park in a lot, and walk the beach hoping to spot horses at a distance. It works — sometimes. But the horses move. They roam across the entire island, from the ocean beach to the bay-side marshes. On any given day, the herd might be miles from the nearest parking area.
From the water, you cover far more ground. A jet ski traveling along the bay side of Assateague can cover the entire stretch where the Maryland herd tends to congregate — the grassy marshes, the shallow flats, and the sandy edges where the horses come down to drink and cool off. You are not limited to a trailhead or a single beach access point. You see the island the way it was meant to be seen: from the water, with the full sweep of coastline in front of you.
Pontoon boats offer a different advantage. With a pontoon, you can anchor near the bay-side sandbars, sit back, and watch the horses graze on the marsh grass at the waterline. Families with young children and larger groups often prefer this because everyone has a clear view, you can bring coolers and cameras, and there is no rush.
OCA's 6 Mile Ride: The Route to the Horses
OCA Watersports created the 6 Mile Ride in 2010 specifically to give riders access to Assateague Island from the water. The route starts at our dock at 12817 Harbor Rd in Ocean City and heads south along the bay, following the Assateague shoreline past sandbars, dolphin feeding areas, and the stretches of beach where the wild horses are most commonly spotted.
The ride is 70 minutes — not 60 — and covers roughly 6 miles of open bay. On a jet ski, you ride at your own pace with full freedom to explore within the riding boundaries. On a pontoon boat, you can take the whole family and cruise at a relaxed pace, stopping wherever something catches your eye.
No other watersports company in Ocean City offers this specific route. OCA mapped it, built it, and has been running it for over 15 years. It is the original — and the only way to experience this stretch of Assateague from the water with a rental operation.
What Else You Will See
The wild horses are the headline, but the 6 Mile Ride puts you in the middle of an entire ecosystem. Here is what else you can expect:
- Bottlenose dolphins — The bay waters between Ocean City and Assateague are a regular feeding ground for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Sightings are common from late May through September.
- Sandbars — At low tide, sandbars rise from the bay floor and create shallow wading areas in the middle of open water. Pontoon boats can pull right up to them.
- Shorebirds and osprey — Assateague is a critical habitat for migratory shorebirds, nesting ospreys, great blue herons, and brown pelicans.
- Untouched coastline — Assateague Island National Seashore is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the Atlantic coast. No hotels. No boardwalk. Just sand, marsh, and sky.
Tips for Your Trip
- Go early or late in the day. Horses are more active near the waterline during cooler hours — early morning and late afternoon rides give you the best chance.
- Bring a waterproof phone case or camera. You will want photos. A waterproof case lets you shoot from the jet ski without worry.
- Check the tide. Low tide exposes more sandbars and brings horses closer to the bay side to drink.
- Respect the distance. Federal law requires a minimum distance of 40 feet from wild horses. From the water, you will naturally be at a respectful distance.
- Book ahead. Summer weekends fill up fast, especially for the 6 Mile Ride. Reserve your spot online to guarantee your preferred time.
Getting Here
OCA Watersports is located at 12817 Harbor Rd, Ocean City, MD 21842 — right on the bay with direct water access. From our dock, Assateague Island is a straight shot south. There is free parking available, and the dock is just steps from where you check in. Call us at 410-629-RIDE (7433) or book online.
