Matapeake*§

 
FIG. 1 view looking north of sandy launch area at Matapeake        

Matapeake is located on Kent Island and the launch
faces west across the Chesapeake
* Sailors must sign and fax/mail in a waiver before sailing. 
 Click here for waiver form
§ On weekends, launch could be closed because of an event.
  It is therefore recommended that sailors first check the
 calendar first before driving out to the launch by clicking here
or if calendar fails to open, check below for closures

 FIG. 2 view of bay bridge and path leading to launch area

Directions:  From Baltimore or Washington DC, cross bay bridge on
 U.S. Rt 50, and get off the first exit, exit 37 MD Rt 8.  At the end
of the exit ramp, turn right and head south on MD Rt 8 towards
Romancoke.  Travel 2.4 miles and turn right onto Marine Academy
Drive at signs for "Matapeake Beach", "Matapeake Fishing Pier and
 "Natural Resources Police".  Travel a few hundred feet and turn
right at sign for "Beech" and "Club House".  Travel another few
hundred feet, and turn left onto Club House Dr.  Drop off gear near
club house and then park outside fence near the antenna tower. 

There is a several hundred feet gear tote down a grassy hill to
the sandy beach.  Upon reaching the beach, to your left is a pier
and to the right is the dog beach.  When bathers are present
during the summer, you must launch from the grassy dog beach.

Launch faces WNW across Chesapeake.

Best Wind Directions:  S, SW, W, however NW and N may also work too

FIG. 3 Aerial view of the Matapeake launch area -- pink arrows show
driving directions, green arrows show launch

FIG. 4 view of sign at launch showing rules

FIG. 5 sign at entrance showing rules and hours

FIG. 6 view of club house from launch area -- parking lot is just before
the antenna tower

FIG. 7 view of parking area and gate with end of club house
visible at right

FIG. 8 view of club house and launch access during an event (i.e. wedding)
Always check the calendar so this does not happen to you

§ 2010 Beach Closures (as of April 19)

I have updated the calendar for Matapeake.  It looks like Saturday weddings
 for most of the summer but the beach is not closed till 6pm on those days. 
 Before swim seasons the beach may be closed before six.
>
> The café reopens for the season on May 28th. Open daily from 11 to 5.
Also, while you are certainly allowed to windsurf on our holiday weekends
 (Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day), we do anticipate higher
 beach traffic on those days and just ask that you plan accordingly for
the crowds.
>
>
> May
> Friday, May 7th - Private Party, 6 PM to 12 AM
> Saturday, May 15th - Wooden Boat Show all day --
the beach will not be closed to the public, but there will be a lot of
small boats and people on the beach.
> Saturday, May 22nd - Wedding (not certain on the times yet,
but most likely it will begin in the early afternoon)
>
> June
> Saturday, June 12th - Wedding, 6PM to 12 AM
> Friday, June 18th - Wedding Rehearsal Party, 6 PM to 12 AM
> Saturday, June 26th - Wedding, 6 PM to 12 AM
>
> July
> Saturdays (7/17, 7/24 and 7/31) - Weddings, 6 PM to 12 AM
>
> August
> Saturdays (8/7, 8/14, 8/21) - Weddings, 6 PM to 12 AM
>
> September
> Saturdays (9/18 and 9/25) - Weddings, times to be announced but
probably starting in the early afternoon