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The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe

Photo gallery for The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe

Sunsets are spectacular!
Time to eat with friends and family!
Take the canoe out to the beach,  1 canoe and 2 kayaks come with the house.
Go fishing and score some fish
Enjoy Chesapeake history at the skipjack races on Labor Day

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8125.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Deal Island, MD
  • Smith Island
  • University of Maryland Eastern Shore
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Salisbury University
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Salisbury, MD (SBY-Salisbury - Ocean City Wicomico Regional)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe

Spend time relaxing in the QUIET and Rural fishing community of Deal Island. This quaint cape cod offers large dining room open to the efficient kitchen with all the modern amenities. The living room features a large picture window to view the sunset over the bay, flat screen TV, DVD player and stereo. The house is completely remodeled with whirlpool tub, new kitchen, refinished wood floors, water softener, washer/dryer. The shed out back has lots of toys to play with including a new canoe, 2 light weight kayaks, charcoal grill, beach chairs, lawn and beach toys.

Keywords: Cabin, beach house, bungalo

Property manager

Mary Martin

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Great beach to play, bring water shoes n toys
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day requires 7 day minimum

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Deal Island

Located in Deal Island, this cottage is in a rural area and near the beach. Sea Mark Marine and Somers Cove Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Shark Fin Shoal and Rock Island. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Deal Island, MD

What's nearby

  • University of Maryland Eastern Shore - 29 min drive - 28.4 km
  • Salisbury University - 44 min drive - 45.3 km
  • Wicomico Youth and Civic Center - 48 min drive - 51.8 km
  • Somers Cove Marina - 54 min drive - 58.3 km
  • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - 112 min drive - 120.6 km

Getting around

  • Salisbury, MD (SBY-Salisbury - Ocean City Wicomico Regional) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shredders Restaurant & Bar - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Lucky's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Lucky's Last Chance - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Arbys Dock Side Bar And Grill - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Hide Away Grill - ‬53 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Where is The Relax-Inn Deal Island with Kayaks and Canoe located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is 3.7 mi (6 km) from Shark Fin Shoal and 4.6 mi (7.3 km) from Rock Island. Mount Vernon Park and Mount Vernon Beach are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 63 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laurie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Vacation Our Family Will Always Remember

We stayed at this lovely cottage the week leading up to Labor Day weekend. We have two small children and the car was filled with tears when our week had come to and end. Our first night there, we made our way to the public beach which was about a 5 minute drive (maybe even a little less) and it was so absolutely beautiful watching the sunset that we declared we would visit that beach every night. Our first full day we decided to venture out in the canoe to the private beach that you travel to through the marsh. What would follow were 6 days of doing that exact same thing - every morning we would carry the canoe across the street where you slip it into the marsh and then load it up with all of the things you need for a 6 and 2.5 year old for a day at the beach. The canoe trip took maybe 10 minutes and while I've been boating since I was a little thing, I would characterize the canoe trip to the private beach as a breeze, even for a beginner. Be aware of the tides - which is simple enough. We found that if we headed out as low tide was filling to high tide, that it would give us our biggest window. Anyways, that private beach was fit for kings. Every single day, our family had an entire white sand beach all to ourselves. We packed lunch and sand toys and chairs. Absolutely glorious. The cottage was perfect to hang your hat between adventures to play games outdoors or inside. Bring your bikes. One of our favorite vacations - ever.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Alison J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location

Quiet location

Our family enjoyed our stay on Deal Island. It is a quiet area with lots of nature and wonderful star gazing at night. Brian and Mary were very kind and helpful. The house was comfortable. The bedroom with the twin beds did not have AC, but a fan was available. We were somewhat disappointed that the private beach was not as easy to access as we had expected. The road that leads to the beach disintegrates into marsh about halfway. With good water shoes or galoshes you could do it on foot, but we didn’t have appropriate foot gear. The access to the beach with kayak is lovely, but the kayaks are 1-person and one of the kayaks had a leak so we were not able to do this together. There are many areas to observe crabs and fish in the marshes, which was fun. The house is about 25 minutes from a grocery store and we didn’t see any restaurants open in the area, so be prepared to bring food and water in with you to save driving. We were aware that the house did not have internet, but were surprised that T-mobile had no service there. For the most part, we enjoyed having a break from the technology, but having no reception whatsoever made planning difficult. Our signal picked up around St Anne. We had a great day of fishing from Deal Marina and enjoyed excursions to Chincoteague and Assateague. We all enjoyed slowing down and reading and playing games and we left for home feeling refreshed. Thanks for a nice long weekend!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janine E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet getaway with a nice view

Kayaking in the marsh was the highlight of this stay. It was our kids' (ages 5&2) first time in a kayak and they loved it. The hosts were nearby and prompt with answering questions. We never made it to the private beach with small children, but the kids loved the public beach on the north side of the island. It's down the last road on the left just before you cross the bridge to leave. It's a small, kid friendly beach not even half as crowded as ocean city and with plenty of parking right up to the sand. I would recommend a larger beach for teens though.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

laura p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

Had a wonderful time. House was clean and comfy, mary is a wonderful host. The towns private beach is close to the house, and hardly anyone on it.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Kim W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice and quiet.

Very quaint island. Enjoyed the beach. Never busy and very clean. Zoo and Ocean city worth the trip. Island very diverse. Nice homes and run down abandoned places. Biking was fun. House had mostly everything we needed. Was a bit warm with window air conditioners and quite eclectic decor. Not super clean and some bugs but still worth the trip. Hostess incredibly nice and helpful!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Casual Getaway at a Good Price!

Our family of three adults enjoyed reconnecting in a very relaxed, beautiful area. The house is older and a bit quirky, yet really comfortable. Because I have some slight vertigo issues right now, the noticeably sloping floors were a tiny bit of a challenge but not a problem. The air conditioner noise could be be a little annoying, but we found that we could run just the living room AC when sleeping in the first-floor bedroom, and just the bedroom unit when using the living living. We loved canoeing through the gorgeous marshlands to the beach, and were stunned by how beautiful the beach is with its nearly white sand -- so different from the public beach's sand. We found a few pieces of early-stage sea glass, which was fun. The shed contains items to take to the beach, chairs for sitting outside, etc. The kitchen has plenty of counter space for cooking. There are good numbers of dishes and silverware, so we were able to use the dishwasher. We were glad we had read a suggestion to bring bottled water for drinking since the island's water is high in iron. That iron can stain laundry, so we didn’t use the washer/dryer. All in all, the house, amenities, and location combine to create an immensely laid-back experience, like being in your grandparent's cottage. We had cell phone service but the T-mobile hotspot we had brought along had no internet connection -- which we knew ahwad of time could be yhe situation and which was handy because it greatly cut down on screen time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Vicki B., Hedgesville WV

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip back in time

Beautiful old house, great ventilation. Super quite, great sun sets, very relaxing. No internet or cable, it was great to disconnect.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Josh D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

BEST VACATION!!!

Mary and Brian were so welcoming!! It was very relaxing and was so nice to disconnect!! The beach is fun to get to and see a lot of wild life!! Saw new birds that we haven't seen before and caught some crabs and fish. Thanks you so very much for letting us stay, we are sure to come back again!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Family Adventure

We had a great time here! This is an exceptional value for location and amenities for the price. Some of our favorite features included the use of the kayaks/canoe, crab pot, plenty of seating at dining table for all 8 guests, digital disconnect, sunsets on the marsh, birding & biking opportunities, nearby lovely public beach, quaint cottage decorations, and large yard for playing games. There are not many photos of the interior of the house, but the lay-out was great - large couches in the living room for relaxing, large entry area into the kitchen from the back door. Notes: Parents with small children might want to note that there is no banister on the steep stairs to 3 rooms upstairs. Our kids had no issues holding onto the wall for support. Also, the access to the beach is difficult to get to by boat or foot. We brought muck boots and our kids are experienced boaters but we attempted each route just once, and then just decided to use the nearby public beach. That said, we had some fun adventures in the boats and enjoyed crabbing a la "chicken necking" at the nearby bridge. Communication with Mary and her husband was easy and honest. She had a dozen fresh eggs waiting in the fridge for us when we arrived. Overall, fantastic experience! Thanks, Mary!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful time!

We really enjoyed staying at this property and on Deal Island. It was very quiet and peaceful and the owners of the property were very friendly and helpful. We had everything we needed and the place was very clean. Thanks again Brian and Mary!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Natasha W., Clarion,pa

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful island.

Absolutely wonderful experience. Good place to go disconnect. The private beach is beautiful. Nicest hosts we have had.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sheila S., Palmerton

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We enjoyed our stay at Deal Island

Mary and Brian were great so glad we got to meet them. Mary answered all our questions and we had many The house was cozy and plenty of room for our family. This was our first VRBO rental and it was a great experience This was also the first trip in which our dog had to come along. He enjoyed the trip. We used one of the canoes and the kayaks. This was a fun adventure. We would definitely go back. The house has everything we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy M., Bucyrus, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

This is the second time I have come to this house. I love this house, location, and the feeling I get staying here. The house has absolutely everything you need for the perfect stay. It is clean, comfortable, and homey. The location is amazing. I saw sea turtle eggs on the beach at the edge of the island, eagles, ospery, turtles, fiddler crabs, ducks, pelicans, wild ponies on Chincoteague Island, blue crabs, and I am sure I am missing some. I just love everything about this location. We went to Ocean City and walked the boardwalk. We hiked out to the Chincoteague Lighthouse, and spent the day at that beach and we spent a couple days swimming in the bay. Mary is wonderful and will do anything in her power to make sure your stay is perfect. I can't say enough good things about how happy I am when I spend time on Deal Island. It is a nature person's paradise. Thank you Mary for allowing me to stay in your house again. You guys are the best!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stacia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Want a quiet place! This is it

Beautiful Sunsets and beautiful beaches, quiet and lots of deer. Loved it here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sabine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint home in a hidden watermen Community with lots of history.

A nature lover's paradise on a serious budget. A peaceful and serene location on the marshes of the Chesapeake Bay, this property served as a relaxation station for us. While quite remote (which is part of the charm) my children 10 and 12 did not even want to leave to go to the beach in Chicoteague! They were quite happy to set out crab traps and kayak (alone for the first time) out through the marshes to the cute little private beach on the far side of the marsh on the Bay. This is an outdoorsmans paradise, full of natural adventure, with easy access to historic sites and Beaches (max 1 hour) without all the chaos and comotion of the popular sites. Getting to know the locals was a fun experience and the hosts were friendly and accessable throughout our stay. Highly recommend for a rest and recoup vacation. Groceries and Gas are all in Princess Ann which is a 19 mile drive so stock up before you come in. Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Martin.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laurie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My favorite place to stay

We had a wonderful time as usual. Even stayed an extra day because we didn’t want to leave. We’ve been coming to this house for a few years, a couple times a year. It’s always clean and fresh when we arrive. Mary is sure to leave you a nice surprise such as fresh eggs and applesauce. The house is big enough to hold my mom and her 2 cats and my daughter and myself and a friend and 3 dogs. It’s a cute house in a very quiet area. Access to the bay is super easy. Less than a minute to walk to where you can crab and put your kayaks in. House comes with kayaks and grills and has all the amenities you could need. Just bring your clothes and food. Everything else is provided. I will continue to come here as I’ve found it’s the best place to stay on the island. The owners are nearby if you need them and are always quick to respond to any questions. It is quiet and peaceful and just the perfect place to relax. To the person who complained about moldy smells and dirt…you are completely wrong and you must be used to staying in 5 star hotels or something. This is an island not a resort. I have never smelled any mold or seen any dirt in all of the times I’ve stayed here. She’s nuts! With that being said I will look forward to my next trip down here. There is so much to see. We watched the Osprey fishing in the bay and that was cool. There are many crabs to be had. Thank you Mary for once again giving us an awesome place to stay on Deal Island. I would recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

2/10 Terrible

Thelma S.

Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Not a cottage

I was highly disappointed in this stay. This was not a cottage, it was an old house with paint coming off the walls, dirty, old and moldy smell. I took pictures of it, if needed. We had to set outside for two hours before we could go in because it smelled so bad. It was our anniversary.There were spiders everywhere and we paid for a cleaning fee, but definitely not cleaned. My husband's breathing issues due to the smells we were only able to stay the second night(should have left after the first night, but wanted to see the area). I asked for a refund and was assured that "it wasn't about the money" and I would receive a refund. Three weeks later I still do not have the refund. For it not to be about the money, she had a host fee, and a cleaning fee plus the rent. We have no problem paying for quality, but this was totally disappointing. I waited to see if I would get my refund and since I haven't as of now.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet spot on Deal

My family of four stayed in this sweet little house off season to enjoy some quite time. It was perfect, and it was certainly quite, exactly what we all needed. The house was more than comfortable especially the beds. Sometimes when you stay at a vrbo the owners loads the house with the cheapest stuff, you wind up feeling worse after your vacation. Not this place! Both my husband and I slept beautifully, so what ever mattress they had was perfect! The kitchen was fully stocked to cook anything you’d like and since I’m a cook really impressed me. The house is definitely set up for a family vacation. I also would like to say that communication with Mary was wonderful. We had a minor problem with a remote and she and her husband got back to us right away and helped make us feel so welcome. We would definitely stay again at Mary’s place on Deal island.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Peter A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relax in a small historic fishing village

The house is exactly as described, with a few neighbors but very quiet. Everything is clean and well-kept. Check-in was absolutely painless key lockbox. The host is friendly, available and responsive but not intrusive. Hike, canoe or kayak to the private beach, or drive a few miles to the public beach. Drive a few more miles to fish from the Chance Public Boat Pier, or charter a fishing trip. Princess Ann has a Food Lion, pharmacy, and many small-town amenities. Just a bit further down the road, Salisbury has a wide variety of college-town opportunities, including a few superb brew-pubs. Even the drive across the Delmar peninsula to the Atlantic coast is short enough for a half-day trip. We highly recommend this Deal Island destination.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laurie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best place ever

We’ve stayed several times and always have a wonderful time!! Easy access to kayaking and crabbing and a quiet cozy house. I’d recommend staying here but not the days I want to be here lol. Seriously though you couldn’t ask for better hosts or a better place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Naomi R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing experience with the absolute nicest of hosts

Wonderful in every single aspect. Brian and Mary are some of the nicest people we've met and we loved the house, the area, and their hospitality. The children enjoyed every moment, and they truly have a unique piece of heaven which we were lucky to have them share with us. Truly a wonderful place, and even more wonderful people.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful area

The house is cozy and has everything you could ever need for cooking etc. the electrics are a little dodgy and the breaker flips sometimes if you Hoover, but the air con ran ok. Washer/drier is very handy and dish washer. Be careful if you decide to walk the footpath to the private beach. I fractured my foot when a pallet over a particularly boggy bit broke and sent me flying. I had to limp tot he sandbanks for cell signal to request help. The teens brought a canoe to fetch me and it capsized and we ended up stranded in the mud and had to be rescued. Definitely don’t kayak/canoe unless high tide. Even the rescue boat got stuck and several rescuers lost their shoes. The marshland is not to be messed with. The public beach is lovely too, and often empty - dogs can run free. The house does struggle to stay cool enough in heat waves, but the beds are comfortable and honestly it is a beautiful holiday destination for an escape. The islanders are lovely and the old graveyards are amazing. Our dogs loved the beaches and the swamps. There is no fenced garden so be careful about the road.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alexander P., Atlanta, GA USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Eastern Seashore Cottage

Mary and Brian are the forever gracious hosts making sure that our stay was perfect. The cottage is decorated in a cute/romantic eastern seashore motif, with different hues of blue on the trim and cabinetry, and soft yellow undertones on the walls with stencil artwork throughout the house. It was exactly what we were looking for, very comfortable and spacious for a family of 5 (college-age kids and a teenager). The blistering heat and spotty cell coverage were a hiccup in the beginning, but Mary immediately addressed this, truly great hosts that rose to the occasion! As a business owner, we had to do some work and needed the internet so we ended up getting a $75 prepaid-unlimited data-sim card with Verizon because our carrier had terrible coverage. Verizon is the only carrier that has coverage on Deal Island, truth be told, most of Maryland's eastern seashore. The kitchen is stocked with lots of cooking gadgets, plates, glasses and the blue pull-out cabinet next to the stove has various spices (garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper) that you normally would not find in a VRBO. We took day trips to St. Michaels, Hoopers Island, and Easton, these small hamlets on the Chesapeak bay are well worth the visit, but kayaking down the marsh river to their beach and being in such a tranquil setting were the trip highlights. Truly a gem of a find.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stacey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Perfect location for relaxing. But also close enough to travel to other family destinations like Ocean City. We also went a little farther to VA beach one day. Owners were very helpful and we had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Allison U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

This is a great house for nature lovers. We saw lots of birds, including eagles and several kinds of herons. We went to the pristine beach by foot and kayak. Our little dogs enjoyed swimming/wading through shallow water over to a large sandbar. We loved that there was plenty of seating in the kitchen and living room. Mary was a fabulous host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Mary Martin

Host profile image
Deal Island is going to be our retirement location. We love the slow pace and awesome beauty of the island, wetlands, wildlife, birds. Of course the oysters and crabs are quite tasty too!

Why they chose this property

Deal Island is amazing! I love it here. I grew up vacationing on the eastern shore, Deal Island is a dream come true. We love to get off the grid and get on 'island time' It is off the beaten path and a wonderful place to relax, unwind and enjoy family and friends. Once we are here we hate to leave. The locals are friendly and helpful. Of course if you desire more 'action' there are many local sites within driving distance to see including a trip to Ocean City or Princess Anne or Chincoteague

What makes this property unique

This is a wonderful place to enjoy some quality time with the family. There are so many awesome things to do on Deal Island, take a stroll to the bridge and observe the waterlife, walk down the primitive marsh road to our private beach(don't forget your muck shoes), load up the canoe and paddle to the beach, spend the day on the beach and watch the sunset, hire the Kingfisher II and catch your dinner, watch the local crabbers or oystermen to bring in their fresh catch, buy a bushel and cook up the most amazing meal you have ever eaten. There are so many wonderful things to do on Deal Island.

Languages:

English