Along the Chesapeake Bay, summer is more than a season on the calendar, created by the earth’s axis tilting toward the sun as it orbits.

Summer is when the Bay shines. It’s why we choose to live and play in this winding maze of creeks and rivers.

It’s the boating, the swimming, the sun-kissed days and knockout sunsets that follow. It’s the season when you can scoop crabs right from the piling, and, with patience, catch yourself a feast.

It’s the splash of a fish jumping in an otherwise-still cove. It’s a crisp cocktail after a hot day on the water.

Just like you, we’ve been looking forward to the season for months, seeking—and finding!—inspiration for making new memories on the Bay.

There’s remote Smith Island, becoming more accessible to visitors than ever. Now is your chance to learn softshell crab scraping techniques and to bake all 10 layers of the famed Smith Island cake.

We’re taking a close look at great boat options for going fast, fishing, or creek-crawling, some you may not have considered. If you’ve always wanted to try “dock ‘n dining” (or switch up your go-to food spot to visit by water), we’ll show you how to make sure it goes smoothly.

You don’t even need a boat to take up the shoreline hobby of beachcombing. We meet a pro who shares her seaglass-hunting secrets.

So let’s get started. Summer is here, and the Bay is waiting for you to make the most of it.