Seats Available for the Southern herd Round-up. 6AM Saturday, July 26. See the Saltwater Cowboys round up the Southern herd for Pony Penning

Barnacle Bill's

Wild Pony

Boat Tours

TRUSTED BY FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS

Chincoteague Boat Tours

BEST NARRATED PONY BOAT TOUR IN CHINCOTEAGUE

Set sail on a relaxed, story-rich, narrated Chincoteague Boat Tour through the southern waters of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Our route stays close to the heart of the island—where history, wildlife, and scenery come to life. With expert narration and a family-friendly pace, we focus on the southern pony grounds where sightings are common (but always wild!). Whether you spot ponies up close or from afar, you’ll leave with unforgettable views, entertaining stories.

We offer two unforgettable experiences:

  • A Chincoteague Pony Tour filled with local stories, wildlife and wild pony sightings, along with fascinating island history as told by your captain.

  • A relaxing Chincoteague Sunset Boat Tour, perfect for winding down as the sky glows over the marsh and bay along with the fascinating local stories told by the captain and crew.

Whether you’re here for the wild ponies, peaceful scenery, or just a great time on the water, our tours are fun, entertaining and designed to leave you with lasting memories.

Discover "THE ORIGINAL", Exclusive Chincoteague
Picture book

Exclusive to Barnacle Bill’s: A Visual Guide to the Stories We Tell

At the end of your Wild Pony Boat Tour, we hand out our Picture Book—a rich visual companion designed to enhance the stories you’ve just heard. This book (only available on Barnacle Bill’s tours) is filled with hundreds of historic and modern photographs that line up with the narration from your captain and mate, helping bring Chincoteague’s past and present into sharper focus.

It’s packed with fascinating facts, local history, and hard-to-find information that ties directly to the moments you just experienced on the water. 

Wild Pony Boat Tours Exclusive Picturebook
Over 50 pages of information. Fun for the whole family!

Saltwater Stories & Scenic Pony Cruise

FULLY NARRATED, STORY-RICH BOAT TOUR

Enjoy a narrated scenic and nature cruise around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

See wild ponies, dolphins, bald eagles, and other local wildlife as you explore the scenic and peaceful waterways with an expert, knowledgeable captain that will share tons of stories about the area and the ponies.

Sunset Island Stories & Pony Cruise

FULLY NARRATED, STORY-RICH BOAT TOUR

Unwind on a peaceful sunset cruise around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

Relax as the sky glows over the water and enjoy the chance to see wild ponies, dolphins, bald eagles, and other local wildlife — all while soaking in the beauty of golden hour on the bay.

The Lucky Lady

Our Boat - Lucky Lady

Comfortable, shaded, and designed for sightseeing. Whether you’re chasing sunsets or spotting wild ponies, this boat delivers a smooth and unforgettable ride.

Comfortable, shaded, and designed for sightseeing, The Lucky Lady is the perfect vessel for exploring the scenic waters of Chincoteague and Assateague. Whether you’re chasing sunsets or spotting wild ponies, this boat delivers a smooth and unforgettable ride every time.

Pony Blog

Things for Kids to Do in Chincoteague | Why Kids Love the Chincoteague Pony Tour

Looking for unforgettable family fun on Virginia’s Eastern Shore? Discover why the Wild Pony Tour in Chincoteague tops the list of things for kids to do in Chincoteague! From spotting wild ponies to learning island history, this narrated boat tour is an educational and magical adventure your kids will talk about for years.
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Assateague Explorer Adventures by water with Wild Pony Boat Tours

Looking for the ultimate Assateague Explorer experience? Wild Pony Boat Tours offers a front-row seat to Chincoteague’s wild ponies, coastal wildlife, and rich island history—told by expert local captains on a relaxing, scenic cruise. Whether you choose a daytime adventure or a golden-hour sunset tour, it’s the perfect way to experience Assateague from the water.
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Experience the Magic – Chincoteague Sunset Boat Tour

Looking for the perfect end to your Chincoteague adventure? Our Chincoteague Sunset Tour offers a relaxing, narrated boat ride through scenic marshes and pony territory—when the wild ponies are most active and the golden light of sunset transforms the island. It’s the best time of day to see wildlife, beat the heat, and capture unforgettable views. Whether you're a nature lover, photographer, or family looking for a memorable outing, this is the boat tour experience you won’t want to miss.
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CLOSED FOR THE SEASON!

Thank you for an amazing year!

We’re getting the boat ready for the upcoming season at Barnacle Bill’s Wild Pony Boat Tours—and look forward to 2026!

Our 2026 tour season officially starts on May 1, 2026.

👉 Early Booking for 2026 Special Events available below! 👈

2026 Pony Swim
2026 Pony Swimback