Chincoteague’s Crown Jewels – Overnight Tour!

Chincoteague’s Crown Jewels – Overnight Tour!

Embark on an overnight Nature Bus journey led by birding expert James Abbott to explore Chincoteague and its National Wildlife Refuge, blending education, scenic exploration, and group socializing amid the natural wonders of Virginia’s eastern shore.

This is a public tour. It is also available as a private customizable group tour for up to 16 people. Email info@TheNatureBus.com to arrange.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 9:30 am through Sunday, September 15 at 7:30 pm 

PRICE: $160/person + 2.6% credit card fee = $164.16 (34 hour tour)

*Important Note: We do not offer ANY refunds after tour is booked.

DEPARTURE LOCATION: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA  (Private groups can choose the pick-up location.

DESCRIPTION: Join us on an enchanting journey with The Nature Bus as we venture on an extraordinary overnight tour to the captivating town of Chincoteague and the renowned National Wildlife Refuge. Guiding us through this immersive experience is the esteemed birding expert, James Abbott. 

While the bus ride spans over two hours in each direction, fear not, for James Abbott will transform this journey into an enlightening educational program. As we traverse the eastern shore of Virginia and cross the picturesque marsh causeway, you’ll be treated to a wealth of knowledge and captivating insights.

Our destination, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, stands as one of Virginia’s natural treasures, nestled on the southern end of Assateague Island. Serving as a vital haven for waterfowl along the Atlantic flyway, the refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity for observation and appreciation.

Prepare to be fascinated as we embark on the refuge’s wildlife drive, journeying into the marsh to witness the majestic Chincoteague Ponies and the elusive Delmarva Fox Squirrel. Our exploration will extend to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, completing a comprehensive and unforgettable experience.

Amidst our adventure, we’ll have our meals in the charming town of Chincoteague, adding a touch of group socializing to this nature-infused escapade. Join us on this carefully crafted tour that seamlessly blends education, exploration, and the natural beauty of Chincoteague and its surrounding wonders. 

We look forward to seeing you on the tour! Check out all of the 5-star reviews, so you will be super confident that you will have an amazing experience! You can read these reviews at TheNatureBus.com > click the REVIEWS tab or click this link: https://thenaturebus.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595

Proposed itinerary/loose timing/subject to change as needed to enjoy nature:

• SATURDAY 8:45 – 9:00 am Arrive and check-in at REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach (seat selection, load in your SMALL overnight bag, use restroom). Your printed/signed waiver is your ticket to board the bus.
• 9:30 am  Departure > travel to Chincoteague, VA (2 hour ride; We will stop along the way for restroom/snack break). Guided education program during travel.
• 11:30-ish Explore Chincoteague’s Nature! Also visit the lighthouse.
• 1:45 late-lunch in town (bring $)
• 3:00-ish Visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to view wild ponies and other wildlife
• 6:30-ish Dinner in the town of Chincoteague.
• Check into the hotel. (See hotel options below)
• SUNDAY
• Sleep in, or head into town for breakfast, explore the town (on your own until 11 am)
• 11:00 am board the bus for more wildlife viewing experiences (optional to go off on your own and meet back up with the group before departure; some guests like to take the local boat trips out to the islands which you arrange on your own).
• 1:30 go out for ice-cream
• 2:00 keep adventuring with your expert guide
• 4:00 pm early dinner
• 5:00 pm > travel back to Virginia Beach (restroom break along the way)
• If time allows, we may stop to watch the sunset on the CBBT bridge-tunnel.
• 7:30 pm (ish) Return to REI, Virginia Beach.

Check-in and tour duration: Please arrive at the bus at 8:45 am (30 – 45 min before departure). Seat selection is based on the order that each individual checks-in. The check-in procedure takes some time. Have your printed/signed waiver + ID ready. Departure is promptly at 9:30 am. Return to REI the next day approximately 7:30 pm (ish) – Flexible return time/Traffic + guest dependent. We “often” return later than the stated time due to a variety of reasons (one being that everyone is enjoying themselves). We do TRY to come back on time, but before purchasing your ticket, be sure you are ok with coming back later if that is how the day plays out.

“Adopt the pace of Nature: her secret is patience” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
– Expert pre-planning services
– Transportation: Departure from: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach > travel to travel to 6150 Community Drive, Chincoteague, VA 23336   (approximately 2 hour ride each direction) and transportation to and from each nature destination.
– Air conditioned/heated, clean vehicle; this is a “school bus” with bench seats. It is a comfortable “eco tour bus” ready for adventures! (not a luxury vehicle with bucket seats)
– On board entertainment and education program by your expert naturalist guide!
– All fees (including gasoline, insurance, CBBT tolls, permits/admission fees into the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge; excluding food/drink)
– loaner binoculars available; your guide will bring a birding scope
– loaner picnic blankets
– Nature commentary and birding education throughout the tour by your guide.
–MEET YOUR GUIDE James Abbott:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

THINGS TO BRING:

– Must bring: COMPLETED WAIVER FORM: When you purchase a ticket for a tour, your name automatically appears on our tour “check-in list.” So, you do not need to bring your actual ticket. But . . . your signed waiver is your TICKET TO BOARD! We will collect this waiver at the door of the bus. Please print it at home, fill it in, sign it, and bring it with you. Here is the link to the required waiver form: https://thenaturebus.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NB_Waiver1.pdf
– You are required to show ID. Only the original ticket holder can board the bus (names appear on our check-in sheet).
– READ carefully here > Bring a SMALL soft-sided duffle or gym bag. You only have a small space in the overhead “bookrack.” Half the space of the airplane! So a carry-on suitcase will NOT fit. It must be “squish-able” to squeeze it into the bookrack overhead. Each passenger may only bring only one (1) such bag. You may also bring a small (child-size) insulated lunchbox and a SMALL day-backpack for your nature walks (camera, binoculars, snacks, water, etc).
– Optional: Binoculars and/or camera for viewing wildlife (we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings as nature is unpredictable). We have loaner binoculars available.
– Bring $ for your accommodations and meals. We will make stops in the town of Chincoteague for meals. For between meals, we recommend that you pack drink and snacks in an insulated lunchbox – a sandwich, power bars, or something else that is very EASY to snack on while walking outdoors. Eating, drinking, chewing gum is not permitted on the bus. The bus is SO clean and we want to keep it this way. For fear of choking hazards, we do not allow anything (even mints) while the bus is in motion. 
– When your tour has a stop at a restaurant establishment, prepare to pay for your own food/drink. We do not allow “left-overs” to be brought onto the bus. If you prefer a smaller potion of food, please consider sharing/splitting a meal with another guest 🙂
– Bring a refillable water bottle filled with ice water. We encourage you to “go green” by not using single use plastic water bottles.

– CASH! It is customary to tip the guide 15% for eco tours. (15% = $24) 

– Optional – $25 cash if you’d like to purchase a Nature Bus t-shirt! You’ll love it. The expression on the t-shirt is: “SAY YES TO NEW ADVENTURES!” Can only be purchased on board the bus and only with advanced ordering. T-shirts are light blue or grey (as supplies last). If you’d like one, TEXT us 757-288-9595 with your t-shirt order ahead of time. Text this exact information: your first + last name, tour name, tour departure date, size of t-shirt (sm, m, lg, xl), color selection.

WHAT TO WEAR? 
– Wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops/sandals are not appropriate foot wear for nature outings.
– Dress for the weather. Famous quote: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” by Alfred Wainwright (a Norwegian saying). And another saying: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain” (unknown author/motivational quote).  Hot days > sunscreen, sunhat, lots of ice water, comfortable walking shoes (bathing suit, water shoes, towel for some tours). Cold days > warm layers, hats, gloves/mittens, warm boots, air-activated heat packs/inserts for your socks and mittens (available at REI). Rainy days > rain jacket, rain hat, umbrella, comfortable waterproof footwear (trails can be muddy if it rained the day before). TICKS: For forested or meadow trips >protect yourself from insects/ticks!  We recommend long pants tucked into light colored (white) knee-high socks to easily see ticks. Bring insect repellent and/or “the bug suit” (a thin mesh jacket + pants) (Google: the bug suit). After nature tours, especially if you have been in a forest or meadow, be sure to shower immediately and do a thorough “tick check.” You can Google “how to do a self tick check” for accurate instructions.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Please call to secure your own hotel room.

(If you want to share a room with 2 queen beds and make a NEW friend, text Suzanne to let her know (757-288-9595). If there is another person whom also wants to share a room, Suzanne will put the two of you in touch via text. No guarantee, but it’s worth a try. For families or group of 4 friends, you might also consider splitting the room with four (4) to a room (2 queen beds).

Select one (1) of the following hotels in Chincoteague because they are all on Main Street and are all in WALKING distance from each other and from where the bus will be parked. Be sure to ask their cancellation policy in case we must cancel due to hurricane level winds (they won’t let the bus over the CBBT with extreme winds).

1. Hampton Inn 4179 Main St 757-336-1616
2. Fairfield Inn 3913 Main St 757-336-0043
3. Comfort Suites 4195 Main St 757-336-3700
4. Marina Bay 3801 Main St 757-336-3500

Really important notes  “Know before you go” ~

*We go in rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. In the case of rain, we simply take cover and wait it out. In the case of very heavy rain, extreme wind or temperatures, such as a hurricane – we will cancel the tour and process refunds.  ALL SALES FINAL/NO REFUNDS for any other reasons, including sickness/covid. Only the ticket holder can board the bus. You are required to show ID. Tickets are not transferable. Only YOU have completed the registration (with emergency info, allergy info, etc). Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. To avoid a call on the day of the tour, please notify us via text 757-288-9595 if you would like to remove your name from the check-in list. Food/Drink: Again, eating, drinking, chewing gum is never permitted on the bus. There will be opportunities to eat (off of the bus) during the tour. WATER is always allowed on board the bus, and recommended.  Arrival: Please arrive 30-45 min before departure. The check-in process takes some time. Seat selection is based on the check-in order. When we check you in, you will receive a temporary bracelet with a number on it. This is the order you will board the bus and select your seat. Some seats are more desirable than others. The “hot seat” is the back seat. Some bus seats have wheel wells.  Waiver: Other tour guests do not want to wait (and loose time on their tour). Please save everyone time at check-in by bringing your signed waiver. No restroom on board the bus; arrive early enough to use the rr at REI (opens at 10 am) or Fresh Market (opens at 8 am) before boarding the bus. The tour itinerary includes restroom stops. Departure: We cannot wait for latecomers because we must adhere to our planned itinerary. Therefore we must pull away at the exact departure time. We cannot receive telephone/text calls to let us know you are running late because we will driving and using the phone as a GPS.

*ALL OUR TOURS INVOLVE WALKING; GUESTS SHOULD EXPECT VARYING DEGREES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. We apologize, but there is no room on board to accommodate wheel chairs or walkers. Our tours require participants to be ambulatory and in reasonably good physical health to manage our nature excursions. There are three (3) large steps to climb to enter the bus. There is one (1) handrail on the left of these steps. Health/COVID Safety Measures: We care about the health and safety of those participating in our nature experiences. The bus is sanitized between each tour. Feel free to crack open your window if you prefer. Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. Federal Law no longer “requires” masks be worn on airplanes, trains and buses. Masks are optional.

The owner’s Samoyed dog, named Sequoia, may be on your tour! She joins us on SOME tours. A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities. Sequoia is NOT a service dog. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people. Sequoia was certified as a Therapy Dog by TDI in 2021 (not updated). She is safe, friendly, sweet and has all of her vaccinations up to date at all times. (*note: if you are allergic or frightened of dogs, you may not want to purchase a ticket; you may also request to sit in the back, further from Sequoia). Want to learn more details about Sequoia and/or see a photo of her? MEET SEQUOIA:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

• We must meet our minimum number of participants for a tour to GO! Most of our tours fill up FAST. But if we do not meet the minimum, then we will cancel the tour and you will be reimbursed (- minus the 2.6% credit card processing fee). We will notify you 48 hours before the tour departure via email.
• Share on your social media and with everyone you know! Let them know you are going on a really amazing tour! Spread the word! Help fill up the bus 🙂 See you soon!
• If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595