There’s something extra special to enjoying Independence Day fireworks by boat. Maybe it’s the gentle rocking of the water. Maybe it’s being on the water at dusk and into the dark night when the moon and stars become visible. Or maybe it’s just the excitement of everyone around you for the vibrant colors of the fireworks to light up the night sky. Whatever it is that you find special and memorable, the team at Atlantic Marinas has made a list of fireworks that are specifically viewable by boat in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. We hope you have a safe and memorable Independence Day on the beautiful waters of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
- Annapolis – July 4 @ 9:45 p.m., Viewing from Annapolis Harbor on Spa Creek and Severn River
- Baltimore – July 4 @ 9:30 pm, viewing from Baltimore Harbor
- Chesapeake Beach – July 3 @ 9pm (dusk), viewing from Fishing Creek
- Havre de Grace – July 3 @ 9:30pm, viewing off Concord Point on the Susquehanna River
- Middle River – July 2 @ 9pm (dusk). Sponsored by the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County (MTABC), Viewing off Wilson Point on the Middle River.
- Queen Anne’s County – July 4 @ 9:15pm Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center at Ferry Point Park. Viewing from Piney Creek, Chester River and Kent Island Narrows
- Rock Hall – July 3 @ 9:15pm., Viewing from Rock Hall Harbor.
- Sherwood Forest – July 3 @ 9pm (dusk), viewing from Severn River near Round Bay, Olde Severn Park, or Linstead.
- St. Michaels – July 2 @ 9pm. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM). Viewing from the Miles River.
If night boating is not something you do frequently, here are our top four tips to ensure a safe and memorable experience. You can find these night boating tips and at discoverboating.com.
- Slow down – A holiday weekend increases boat traffic, including less experienced boaters. Visibility is greatly reduced at night which means that distances are harder to judge, obstacles (such as crab pots and markers) are very difficult to see, and moisture and temperature changes create distortion. Slow down and prioritize the safety of you and your passengers.
- Prioritize Passenger Safety – Grab some glow sticks in case anyone goes overboard. Before leaving shore, attach the glow sticks to the PFD’s of any children on board. Also, refresh the batteries in your flashlights and headlamps, and put binoculars close to the helm.
- Preserve your night vision – Your night vision can take 20 minutes to adapt back to darkness after a flash of light. Therefore, dim all the onboard lights including courtesy lights, instrument and chartplotter backlighting and cabin lights.
- Know your red, green and white lights – Before departing, check your navigation lights to ensure they are operable so you’re visible to others. When underway, consider what other boats looks like on the water:
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- If you see both red and green, a boat is coming head on.
- If you see white, the boat is ahead of you and/or moving away.
- If in doubt and you see red, stop. That means a boat is crossing your bow and it has the right of way.
From everyone on the Atlantic Marinas team, we hope you have a safe and memorable Independence Day on the beautiful waters of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
