Major city · United States
Hooper's IslandHoopers Island
Go for one day, not a stay: drive MD-335 from Cambridge, eat crab, watch the sunset, sleep back in Cambridge.
Hooper's Island is a three-island chain of low marsh and watermen's communities in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, about 400 people at Fishing Creek, reached only by MD-335 from Cambridge. There is no hotel on the island, so it works as a half-day to full-day drive with a seafood meal and a sunset, not as a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses closed)
- Airports
- BWI · DCA · SBY
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hooper's Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Maryland State Police, non-emergency410-653-4200
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hooper's Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are water, weather and isolation.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 410-653-4200 Maryland State Police, non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 2 h 15 min by car to Cambridge, then 30–40 min more to the island).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to go$3–5
- Street or quick mealCrab cake sandwich$16–24
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$15–35
- Budget bedWaterfront rental house (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$250
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$170
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 2 h 15 min by car to Cambridge, then 30–40 min more to the island) · DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 2 h 30 min by car to Cambridge) · SBY Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (About 1 h by car to Cambridge)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Sep (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hooper's Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. MD-335 (Hoopers Island Road) is the only land route in, running south from Cambridge via MD-16, with short bridges between the islands. Distances are small once you are on the island, but there is no bus, no taxi service and no rideshare worth counting on.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
MD-335 north, then MD-16 north by car
Your base for lodging and the best restaurant choice in the area.
Door to door: About 45 min
MD-335 and MD-16 north, then Key Wallace Drive by car
Drive the wildlife loop at dawn or dusk for eagles and waterfowl.
Smith Island
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Drive to Crisfield, then a passenger ferry
Ferry times are limited; treat it as its own trip, not a side stop.
Door to door: About 2 h
US-50 east by car
A beach day, not a quick add-on: go early or stay the night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cambridge, Maryland
The practical base: hotels, inns and rentals 30–40 min back up MD-335 and MD-16.
Church Creek area
Closest lodging to the island, roughly 25 min away near the Taylor Wildlife Preserve; a few rentals only.
On-island rentals
A small number of private homes rent by the weekend or week; no hotel or motel on the islands.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 per person excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 per person excl. bed
- High
- $150+ per person excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$170 | US$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fuel, Cambridge return trip1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| Crab feast or seafood lunch2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Fishing charter, half day1 × US$450 · check | US$450 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$98 |
| Trip total≈ US$540 per person per day, bed included | US$1,080 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; the island has no lodging, so beds are priced in Cambridge. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | $3–5 |
| Crab cake sandwich | $16–24 |
| Steamed crabs, per dozenPrice moves with the season; ask before you order. | $60–110 |
| Fuel, per US galloncheck | $3.20–3.80 |
| Fishing charter, half daycheck | $400–600 per boat |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | $15–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotel, motel or campground on the islands: book a base in Cambridge or Church Creek before you drive out.
- Cell coverage is patchy in places; download your map and any booking details before you leave Cambridge.
- Roads are low and can flood in storms and high tides; check conditions after heavy rain.
- Seafood houses and charters are seasonal and can close without much notice: call ahead.
- Marsh edges and docks are not fenced; keep children back from the water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Maryland State Police, non-emergency
- 410-653-4200
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Hooper's IslandHoopers Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Maryland State Police, non-emergency410-653-4200
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates on the island. Embassies are in Washington, DC; the nearest consulates-general are in Washington and Baltimore.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cambridge → Hooper's Island by car: about 25 mi / 40 min on MD-335 and MD-16 (check)
- Fuel for the return trip: $10–15 (check)
- Crab feast aboard a charter boat: from about $60 per person, book ahead (check)
Say or show
- Where is the boat ramp? — Where is the boat ramp?
- Do you have steamed crabs today? — Do you have steamed crabs today?
- How much per dozen? — How much per dozen?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road flooded ahead? — Is the road flooded ahead?
- Where is the nearest hospital? — Where is the nearest hospital?
Cash is useful at small seafood stands and landings; card is fine at larger businesses.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hooper's Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Drive-time and sunset contract for MD-335: last light by month, flood check, Cambridge fallback bed.
- Four stopping points on the island with parking notes: the bridge, the lighthouse viewpoint, the seafood houses, the public landing.
- Charter and seafood-house pages with season windows and booking cutoffs.
- Storm and high-tide fixtures so the go / caution / skip gate can go green.
Sources
Ask about Hooper's Island
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