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  Absolutely Everything You Ever Wanted to
Know About Tides on the Atlantic Islands of Chincoteague &
Assateague off the Coast
of Virginia* |
Henry Mallard has been to many places in the world and has strong opinions about them all. |
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 Be
aware that there are tides around these islands - not just once, but
twice a day - and that these tides bring both benefits and dangers to
visitors and residents alike.As you probably know, tidal friction slows the earth's rotation and makes the days last longer. It makes sense that the closer you are to the source, the more you will notice the effects. With tides occurring twice a day on Chincoteague and Assateague, your visit will last longer than if you had whittled away your vacation, instead, for example, in the mountains. Chincoteague innkeepers are well aware of this fact, and I've been told that many have increased their rates in proportion to the time gained (about one second each one hundred thousand years). But there are dangers in getting too close to the islands' tides. We are all heavier at low tide because we have salt water in our bodies. Fortunately, we lose this extra weight (a considerable fraction of a pound) each time the tide rises. Therefore, while on Chincoteague, I recommend enjoying meals only at high tide. Also avoid seafood that has been around salt water if you are already overweight. To help you make the most of your visit to these islands, I have included links to my handy tide tables for Assateague and Chincoteague. Handy Tide Tables: Assateague Beach | Chincoteague Channel |
