Inside the canal
Anchoring is prohibited through most of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal, so options for dropping the hook inside the waterway are extremely limited. The small basin at Chesapeake City, located on the western end and the southern side of the canal, is the only legal anchorage within the C&D. This snug harbor is popular with weekend boaters and fills quickly. Its sole waterfront facility, the Chesapeake Inn Restaurant and Marina, provides limited dockage; transient boats should plan ahead and be prepared for congestion.
Directly across the canal from the Chesapeake City anchorage, on the north side, Schaefer’s Restaurant and Canal Bar has recently reopened and offers bulkhead tie-up space. While convenient for short stops, these bulkheads get heavy wakes from the steady commercial and recreational traffic that uses the canal. Make sure your boat is well fendered and secured, and be ready for passing wakes that can push vessels against the wall or neighboring boats. Maintain a proper anchor watch and routine checks on lines and fenders if staying overnight.
Outside the canal
On the eastern approach, just below the C&D entrance and tucked behind Reedy Island, there is an anchorage protected in part by a submerged rock barrier that runs between the island’s southern tip and the Old Reedy Island Light. At low tide the rocks are exposed, so use caution when navigating into or out of this pocket. The location keeps you away from the main commercial channel, but it is exposed to wind and tidal reversals; current shifts can be strong and unpredictable in this area. Holding is generally reported as good, but a solid anchor set, ample scope, and an attentive anchor watch are essential. The view across the river is industrial rather than pastoral—the Salem nuclear generating station dominates the New Jersey shoreline.
About two miles north of the Reedy Island entrance, Delaware City Marina sits on the eastern side of the canal and provides full-service facilities. In unsettled weather, a marina slip at Delaware City is often a better and safer choice than anchoring in exposed spots. During the summer season the marina is also a departure point for tours to Pea Patch Island, home to Fort Delaware State Park. The fort is a historic Civil War site with remains of the prison that once detained and buried many Confederate soldiers; visiting by water is a popular local activity when tours are running.
On the Chesapeake Bay side, west of the canal entrance, there are considerably more attractive and varied options for overnighting or layovers. Small, shallow-draft vessels can follow the narrow channel to Harbor North Marina, located just west of Chesapeake City and below the entrance to the Elk River. Deeper-draft boats that prefer open water often choose anchorages in the Bohemia River or the Sassafras River. These tributaries offer more sheltered water, comfortable holding, and pleasant surroundings—frequently used by cruisers waiting for favorable currents, tides, or weather windows.
Planning and safety tips
Because the C&D Canal is a busy commercial waterway with strong currents and substantial vessel traffic, careful planning is crucial. Check tide and current tables before transit; expect strong, changing currents at the canal entrances. Keep clear of the main channel unless actively transiting, and be prepared to switch from anchoring plans to marina slips if conditions deteriorate. When tying up at bulkheads or marina docks in the area, use ample chafe protection and heavy fenders to handle wakes from passing ships. If anchoring outside the canal, deploy an appropriate anchor scope for the expected tidal range and wind, and monitor your position regularly.
Whether you choose the cramped but legal anchorage at Chesapeake City, a transient slip at Summit North Marina, a protected berth at Delaware City Marina, or a more scenic stop on the Chesapeake side, plan ahead, communicate with marina staff, and respect local rules that keep this vital waterway safe for both commercial and recreational users.
See related articles:
– There are no shortcuts
– C&D Canal dos and don’ts
December 2014 issue