Bay Bridge Cruise

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the great engineering landmark of Maryland's waters, and a cruise from Annapolis lets you see it from below. The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, opened in 1952 with a second span added in 1973, stretches more than four miles from the western shore near Annapolis to Kent Island on the Eastern Shore. Seen from the water, its towering arch and long approach spans look enormous, and the passage of ships under the high span gives the Bay a sense of scale that you cannot get from shore. The cruise leaves from City Dock, passes the Naval Academy, skirts the historic harbor and then heads into the open Bay. Narration covers the bridge's history, the Bay's ecology and the working life of the watermen and sailors who share these waters. The ride is longer than a harbor trip, typically around an hour and a half, and you may feel more breeze and swell on the open stretch. Dress warmly, especially outside the summer months.

This is a good choice for travelers who want a bigger outing. The route offers wide views of the Bay, including the skyline of Annapolis receding behind you and the bridge growing as you approach. Sailing yachts, Coast Guard boats and commercial ships share the water, and wildlife such as ospreys, gulls and sometimes dolphins add interest. Photographers appreciate the dramatic lines of the bridge, especially late in the day.

Keep an eye on conditions. Wind and waves on the open Bay can be more noticeable than in the harbor, so sensitive travelers should take precautions and sit near the center of the boat. The crew gives a safety briefing and the vessel is stable, but the ride can be rocking on breezy days. Operators may reroute or cancel in storms, so check the forecast the day before.

Build the cruise into a full day. Start with the Naval Academy in the morning, lunch at the dock and then the afternoon cruise, or choose a late departure followed by dinner. If you plan to drive over the bridge afterward toward the Eastern Shore, the cruise gives a fine sense of the crossing in advance. Sandy Point State Park, at the western end of the bridge, is a good place for a walk on the beach if you have a car and extra time.

A little history makes the view better. Before the bridge opened in 1952, crossing the Bay meant a ferry ride, and ferry lines on summer weekends could stretch for hours. The bridge changed travel to Ocean City and the Eastern Shore, and the second span relieved congestion decades later.

The bridge's drawn lines, suspension towers and the long concrete approach spans dominate the horizon from the water, and local boaters have their own nicknames for it. The cruise commentary often includes the story of the engineers who built it, the weather that complicated the work and the traffic jokes every summer weekend inspires.

Wildlife is another reason to go. The shallows around the bridge's piers attract fish, and birds follow, so you may see terns diving, pelicans in passing flights and occasional dolphins. Look out for the Bay's navigation buoys, which often carry osprey nests in season, and for the commercial ships heading to Baltimore's port. Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, and wear a hat since the sun reflects strongly off the water even on cool days.