Captain Barry's Backbay Cruises - Eco-Tours Around Chincoteague Island

    It's that time of year again, when I feel the universe is trying to drag my body and mind back to a small dot on the map of Virginia.  Chincoteague Island is placed in the Atlantic Ocean, just below the Maryland border, in Accomack County, Virginia.  My Mom's family has lived there for over 300 years - so the draw is very strong.

   Today I'm writing about one of my two favorite boat tours that are based on Chincoteague.  This one is an ecological-based tour, but it's not someone spouting dry statistics - the person in charge is Captain Barry Frishman, a well-rounded man who has been giving eco-tours in the Chincoteague waters for more than 25 years.  He's run a tugboat, and had his own "hands-on" aquarium on the island.  He is an accomplished watercolor painter, and acts as a Red Cross volunteer, helping with local and country-wide disasters, as well as being a relief- and aid-worker in multiple countries when called upon.  In the off-season, he's a laid-back, quiet and contained person who enjoys fun.  On his boat, he is a high-octane natural leader, who can answer any question thrown at him regarding marine and marsh life, as well as identifying the almost 500 birds that pass through the area.  He is well-versed in island history, too.

Barry painting at Key West this winter...

   Captain Barry's tour takes you from his docking space, located at 6262 Marlin Street, next to the Ropewalk Restaurant on the Chincoteague Channel, south in the Channel, and then back north, under the bridge from the mainland, and into Chincoteague Bay.  This eco-tour is a "hands-on" experience, and everyone learns something on this trip.  

   Things that you'll do include setting an anchor for the pontoon boat; digging on a sandbar and identifying what turns up; looking for shells on a "shell tump;" drawing a hand-held seine net; pulling up crab pots and investigating the catch; going to Captain Barry's oyster patch and grabbing a few, learning how to shuck an oyster, and eat it from the shell if you so desire; identifying birds and looking at nesting areas; and learning how all of the marine creatures, native grasses, marshes and tides work together  to clean the water and help protect and create new life.  The last time I took a tour with Captain Barry, we found a horseshoe crab, and multiple types of jellyfish (jellyfish are one of his passions).  If the time is right, and hotel guests are not in a complaining mode, Captain Barry blows a conch shell horn to announce his return to the dock.

Captain's pontoon boat in 2016...

   Captain Barry runs a flat-top pontoon boat with chairs that are moveable, and has a "bare-bones" bathroom available, too.  Tours are two hours in length.  You can find his website, along with a two-page brochure online at  https://captainbarry.net/    You need to make reservations in advance, by calling (757) 336-6508 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern time.  He does not accept credit cards; you pay in cash or with a personal (or traveler's) check.  His boat is approved by the US Coast Guard for six passengers only.  The cost is $45 for children under the age of 12; and $55 for adults.  

   Barry also has a "Sunset Cruise" for adults only...  ask his reservationist about it!

   Forbes Magazine describes Barry as "a whirlwind of energy and an encyclopedia of Chincoteague wildlife.  He keeps the tours limited to six, so he can 'crawl around on his hands and knees' with every passenger."  -  Worried about the Captain's rapport with kids?  Barry's grandkids (a passel of 'em) are always excited to be able to out on the water with "Poppy!"

   Personally, I always make sure I have reservations to go out on Captain Barry's Backbay Cruises each time I go back to the island!

Found in the past 4 weeks on a Captain Barry's Cruise:

A grass shrimp

A blue crab regenerating/re-growing four lost legs

A baby flounder in the seine net