Skiff Cruising Guide: Oxford Maryland
Posted by Joe Kelly on Fri, Sep 16, 2011 @ 06:24 AM
Oxford Maryland is one of those towns that appeals to all types of boaters. Many professional Captains always stop into on their way south or north, relaxed cruisers tend to stay a few extra days and people who have never been their always leave saying they will come back. Oxford is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It is a quaint town that has a deep marine heritage. It is home to less than 1000 people and is one of the oldest towns in America. The town has a great historical feel because of the old homes that are kept in pristine condition. Many of the locals are avid boaters and therefore take care of their fellow transient boaters. It is not uncommon to hear stories of people meeting on the docks and then having a local invite a transient boater back to their home for dinner.
On my recent trip to Oxford, on a Nantucket Skiff, I took a few pictures and put together a small guide for a boater’s first trip there!
Navigating to Oxford:
As you go up the Tred Avon River you will pass a large Red floating navigational aid. (R "2" Flashing Red every 4 seconds) Leave this on your Starboard side. Keep an eye out for the ferry that crosses the Tred Avon between Oxford and Bellevue. It is a relatively slow ferry but take it's stern out of courtesy. You will find a lot of "watermen" out on the water during your approach. Watermen is the colloquial term for an eastern shore commercial fisherman or fisher woman. Please give them clearance as well because most likely they will have lines out for crabbing, fishing or working on catching oysters. After you pass the red buoy and the ferry keep an eye out for a day mark that is 15 feet tall showing red. This marks the entrance to Oxford. Make sure you keep this red on your starboard side as well. The harbor after this is very well marked.
Where to Dock:
Oxford has many options for dockage or anchoing. If you have the swing room you can anchor almost anywhere in the harbor as long as you are out of the main channel. If you want a dock you can stay at any of these marinas.
- Oxford Boatyard
- Hinckley Boatyard
- Campbell's Boatyard (3 locations)
All of these boatyards are very nice. The one thing to note is that Campbell's has a total of three boatyards in Oxford so you have many location options. Campbells also has the most extensive repair facilities.
Where to Eat:
Pope's Tavern is a great place to get some wonderful food in a great atmosphere. You can eat at either the Tavern or in the more formal dinning room. The formal dinning room is very nice with great architecture. I loved the detailed tin ceiling. For boaters though the best part is the POPE MOBILE!!! If you call the Tavern they will drive and pick you up at any of the local marina's.
The Tavern will pick up any boaters from local marinas in the Pope Mobile
Latitude is a 5 minute walk out of town and very much worth it. You will find many locals here enjoying food at the bar or the sit down tables. When you walk there do not be confused when you see a gas pump outside. Yes it is formal dinning and the sole gas station in town. I would suggest the Oyster's Rockefeller.
The Masthead is the perfect place to eat a true eastern shore meal and watch the sunset. They have dock space so you can drive the boat over for lunch or dinner. You can eat on the deck and look out over the water. I would suggest ordering a "Mess of Crabs". Don't expect to keep your hands clean. Dig into the wonderful Maryland Crabs and have fun!
Enjoy your time in Oxford. It is a great place to relax, take long walks and enjoy the quite town.
Some of the workboats in town
View of the Harbor
Cutts and Case- A traditional boatyard that is definitely worth exploring