Delaware Bay & Delmarva Pilot Notes
Coastal Summary 108 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal 110
Delaware Bay Approaches 109 Delmarva Coast 111
Delaware Bay 110
Coastal Summary
cause higher than predicted tides. During the
Delaware Bay flows about 50nm from the summer, prevailing S breezes are often rein-
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to the At- forced by a sea breeze, and afternoon winds
lantic Ocean. N of the canal the bay narrows may reach 15-25kts. Fog is most frequent
and become the Delaware River, leading to during April, May, and June, but has been
Trenton, Philadelphia and Wilmington. The observed at all seasons. Following sustained
bay is wide open to the Atlantic at its mouth heavy rainfalls over the Delaware River’s wa-
between Cape May and Cape Henlopen. tershed, especially in Spring, muddy currents
Shifting shoals are common, especially on flowing to the Atlantic may exceed 4kts and
the Cape May side, where the shoals extend can include hazardous debris such as partly
more than 6nm S of the Cape. As a result of submerged trees.
the prevailing conditions, seas here average There are two Harbors of Refuge at Cape
3ft, but can become turbulent and may reach Henlopen. Both offer good protection with
10ft with square waves. breakwalls. The outer harbor is used pri-
Aside from the excellent harbors at Cape marily by commercial shipping. The inner
May and Cape Henlopen, there are no shel- harbor offers a mud and sand bottom with
tered anchorages and no convenient harbors good holding for boats requiring less than
of refuge along either of the bay’s shores from 6ft. Also, a short dredged channel through
its mouth to the C & D Canal. Passagemakers the inner harbor is used by Cape May ferries,
should plan accordingly, keeping a close eye which neither maneuver nor stop for boats.
to weather. Facilities ashore are limited, both here and at
The axis of Delaware Bay is mostly NW- Roosevelt Inlet 2.5nm to the N.
SE. Strong NW winds are prevalent from Vessels transiting between the Chesapeake
November through March. When sustained, and New Jersey may also take the outside
they will accentuate the ebb current and route along the Delmarva Pennisula. Though
produce lower than predicted low tides. At there are several inlets along the outer coast,
all seasons, strong E or S winds sometimes only one, Ocean City, makes a viable safe
haven in heavy weather.
Planning
Customs Ports of Entry
Wilmington, DE • Chester, PA • Philadelphia, PA
U.S. Coast Guard: Call for assistance on VHF 16 or 2182
kHz.
12214 Cape May To Fenwick Island Light, NJ
Stations:
12221 Chesapeake Bay Entrance
Cape May, NJ • Indian River Inlet, DE • Ocean City, MD
Detail Charts
Chincoteague, VA • Cape Charles, VA
12277 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal 1:20,000
NOAA Coastal Charts: 1:80,000 scale
12311 Delaware River Smyrna River
12304 Delaware Bay
to Wilmington 1:40,000
12210 Chincoteague To Great Machipongo
12216 Cape Henlopen to Indian River Inlet
12211 Fenwick Island to Chincoteague Inlet
and Breakwater Harbor 1:40,000
108