Deltaville is known as the boating capital of the Chesapeake Bay. That’s because this far eastern end of the Middle Peninsula is bound by the Rappahannock River on one side, the Piankatank River on another, and the Chesapeake Bay on the most eastern side. Coves and creeks carve up the shorelines to make sure no matter where you are, there’s a spectacular view and an opportunity to get in the water. By boat or by car, there’s a little bit of everything to discover in Deltaville. Here’s our guide to eating, exploring, shopping, and some of the best sailing and fishing around. 

First thing’s first: make your plans to get on the water! The options to get out on the water in Deltaville are as endless as the sea itself. This River Realm town is perfectly positioned to welcome sailboats, yachts, fishing boats, and powerboats from the Chesapeake Bay as well as guide them out into the Bay.  The shepherds to the rivers and the sea are our marinas. All together the River Realm has more than 22 marinas, many of which are located on the shorelines of Deltaville. Here, you can dock your boat at Dozier’s Regatta Point, Deltaville Marina, Deltaville Yachting Center, and more. While you’re there, our marinas can tackle repairs and maintenance on your boat. You can even shop for a new one.  

If you’d prefer to relax and let someone else do the work, experts from businesses like Deltaville Sailing Charters, Urbanna Cruises, and Norton’s Yachts can lead you and the crew on a chartered pontoon, sailing, or yacht adventures.  

Want to bring home a fresh catch? Link up with a local fishing charter. Captain’s like Wesley or “Wes” Crump of WC Sport Fishing know and love the region and it shines through as you hop aboard his boat and prepare for a day of fishing for what’s in season. He’ll set up several fishing lines and make the trek out to open waters. He teaches and coaches guests every step of the way so you always come home with something fresh and ready to grill or put on ice for the road home! Discover more fishing charter options using our helpful business directory!

Pro tip: Every May, a weekend-long Deltaville Dealer Days event takes over the town. Eight boat dealerships host a weekend of food, music, contests, and of course, boats for sale!

Deltaville boasts more boats than people and you’ll notice that as you turn in to stay at the Deltaville Dockside Inn. If you’re driving, rows and rows of boats will open up two a two-story hotel. If you’re boating, the Inn is located next to a boat launch.  You can bring your trailer around to the designated parking area and check into a king or double queen room. The pristine white deck railings lead the way to one of 24 guest rooms. 

Want to stay a little closer to the wildlife and water? Cross Rip Camp has campsites and cottages available throughout its 26 acres of woods. It’s open from May through October when you can enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, jogging, and biking thrughut this riverside campground. 

Want to say somewhere that feels a little more like home? Check out our local Airbnb listings and consider staying in a VRBO listing. 

On Friday nights, you will find Deltaville Tap & Raw Bar filled with smiles from wall to wall and often a musician snuggled in the corner to set the mood. Boat up or drive in for waterfront dining. If you grab a seat inside, the colors of the sunset will spill in from the large windows that enclose the restaurant. Locals and travelers line up at the bar. Head outside on the waterfront patio and watch the many boats cruising in and out of Jackson Creek. Hot seafood dishes like Rip Rap Fries, Crab Puppies, and a Broad Creek Boil make their way to tables and cocktails like Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita or a Rum Punch go down easy. It’s the perfect dinner spot to kick off vacay.

This Deltaville hub is adorable and has a little bit of everything to get you going–breakfast sandwiches, coffee drinks, ice cream, and lunch to go! Cafe By The Bay even offers gluten-free bread options for those looking to indulge in all they have to offer. The staff is friendly and helpful, so is the WiFi if you need to check in to work. Hang out in the dining room or grab a seat to dine al fresco upfront. 

After a morning of reading or crushing some work, it’s time to play. Around these parts, that means getting out on the water! Fuel up for your day the Deltaville way at J&W Seafood. The pile of oyster shells around the back will let you know you’re in the right place. This River Realm seafood hub carries fresh fish, oysters, crabs, mussels, clams all from the local rivers and bays. You’ll also find a large collection of prepared dips (like the special J&W Rivah Dip!), salads, hummus, and more. Grab up a half-pound of each, add some craft beer and crackers, and you’re on your way. Need something for your fishing adventures? The tackle shop at J&W seafood is extensive and has everything from poles, to bait, to specialty equipment. 

The Table at Wilton is where the foodies all wind up in Deltaville. Chef Helen Elizabeth Ward shares her passion for homemade family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Order up a refreshing Wilton Salad with Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans, Red Onion, and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Southern Style Crab Cakes, Fish Tacos, and Blueberry Barbecue Bone-in Pork Chop are just a few of the elevated entrees you can find here. Take it to go to enjoy at your lodging, a nearby marina dock, or put it on ice for the road home. If you have the time, stay and sit for the full experience. 

More Deltaville foodie options include The Galley for classic seafood and all American dishes like prime rib and pasta. Delta Pie is brand new and creates mouth-watering hearth-fired pizzas, specialty salads, craft beer, wine, and more.

Looking for a laidback good time with a twist? Catch a baseball game in a vintage 1948 stadium covered in crab pot nets. It’s the oldest wooden baseball stadium in Virginia. The Deltaville Ballpark hosts the semi-pro Deltaville Deltas team. Games are held on Saturday nights from May through July. Leave some room to indulge in some classic concessions with a River Realm twist. 

Maritime history comes to life at the Deltaville Maritime Museum! Walk through interactive exhibits beginning with the catastrophic impact of the Delmarva meteorite 35 million years ago and chronicle the more modern period of area wooden boat building beginning in the late 1800s. Outside, you can enjoy more than the river and its shores have to offer with the Holly Point Nature Park, which has a children’s garden, nature trail walk, kayak launch, picnic tables, and a pier walk. Catch the Groovin in the Park music series during your visit, too! This is the perfect place to jam and let go by the water.

Bring home the freshness of the river. Bring your cooler when you visit Merryvale Farm. They grow their own variety of produce right on site as well as goods from other Virginia farmers. The seasonal open-air farm stand opens during the spring and stays open until sweet potatoes are done in the fall. Stock up on green beans, peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupes, potatoes, watermelons, sweet corn, squash, peppers, pumpkins, onions, cucumbers, and strawberries.  Merryvale also carries local seafood like crabs, scallops, oysters, and fish alongside eggs and meat. 

Bring home treasures from your river trip from decor, to clothing, to art. Start with River Birch Gifts, which is hidden behind a dreamy nursery. Inside, you’ll find Yeti tumblers, Lily Pulitzer, and river-inspired jewelry. If you like variety, then head to Rivah Shack Treasures, a 10,000 square foot antiques and flea market with 45 vendors sharing their unique selections of furniture, home decor, dishes, jewelry, toys, art, coastal, and holiday items. The cute coral cottage known as Nautie Nells is a winding maze of books, art, and second-hand fishing and boat gear– you never know what’s around the next corner! Need some boating or water sport equipment? West Marine carries a little bit of everything: boating parts, kayaks, coolers, and even small boats. 

Save the Date

The River Realm stays bustling and booming with live music, arts festivals, boating events, and more. Make sure you check out our Events Calendar before you plan your trip! You wouldn’t want to miss out on any fun. 

Capture And Share Your Favorite Deltaville Moments

With every river bend and wind in the road, we’re sure you and your travel buddies captured memories of the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the River Realm. After your adventures are done, check out your photos and share the best with us! We hope more people like you can enjoy the calming and enchanting spirit of the River Realm. Tag us using @virginiasriverrealm and we’ll share your photos.