About the Pony Swim

The Pony Swim is the last Wednesday in July between 7am - 1pm depending on the tides and weather.

On Saturday before the Pony Swim the southern herd will be roundup and the Sunday before the northern herd will be roundup. This is a cool experience to see from Assateague Island. Keep in mind that when the Ponies are roundup you will only be able to see them at the Carrols.

The Beach Walk is held on the Monday prior to the pony swim at 6am. This is when the northern herd will join the southern herd at the southern corral. It is early but is certainly worth waking up early for. At the corral there will be vet checks and the horses are rested until the swim.

Where to watch The Pony Swim comes down to preference. You can easily see the ponies swim right from our dock. The park down the street also as a dock to view The Pony Swim but it often times get crowded. If you want to get up close I recommend a boat, a charter, or even kayaks. Kayaking during The Pony Swim is our recommendation with rental options right next door. You must book any rentals far in advance. 

On Thursday the day after the swim ponies will be auctioned off. Some of the ponies are auctioned for people to bring home and other are part of the buyback program. When a pony is a buyback, an individual will buy the pony but it will return to Assateague Island to live out its' life. 

The Pony Swim Back is a great event to see with significantly less people. The Pony Swim is very exciting and gets a lot of hype but to see the horses swim back is just as amazing and you can often times get a better view. 

The Saturday after the Pony Swim there is a firework display in celebration of Pony Swim week coming to an end. The Chincoteague Fire Department always puts on a great show!