Harbor & boating

Moorings, a boat ramp, two piers, a dog beach and trailer parking on the Elk River, for Chesapeake Isle property owners and their guests.

Using the harbor

• The harbor and piers are for property owners and their guests. Guests who don’t live here should come with their host.
• The harbor area and piers close at 11 pm. Keep noise down.
• Every car and boat trailer parked at the harbor needs a CICA decal or guest pass. See Decals & guest passes.
• Park cars and trailers only in the marked parking area. Boats, vehicles and trailers can’t be stored at the harbor unless the Harbormaster allows it.
• No glass containers at the ramp. Take your trash with you, and don’t bring household trash to the harbor bins.
• CICA can close the harbor, piers, ramp or harbor road at any time.

On the water

• The harbor and mooring area is a no-wake zone under Maryland boating law. Go slow.
• No swimming at the piers or in the mooring area.
• On community roads, the speed limit is 15 mph.

Piers and the boat ramp

The piers and ramp are mainly for loading and unloading boats.

• Don’t block the ramp or park at the pier.
• Tie up only on the side of the north pier away from the ramp, and only while loading or unloading. A boat can stay at the pier for a short time, for example while you fetch your truck.
• Stay with your boat while it’s at the ramp.
• Don’t power-load (drive the boat onto the trailer with the engine). In 2026 it dug a hole at the end of the ramp and pushed up gravel that became a hazard. Take care there, especially at low tide and with kayaks, paddleboards and small sailboats.
• The water at our ramp is often very shallow. Larger boats may do better at the State Park ramp at Rogue’s Harbor.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed on the south pier only, not the north pier beside the ramp. Boaters have priority over people fishing.

Dogs

The harbor is our dog beach. Dogs are welcome there on a leash, with their owner in control. Pick up after your dog. Dogs aren’t allowed at the community beach by the pavilion, including the picnic area and playground.

The Living Shoreline

The planted shoreline at the harbor was finished in 2026 to stop erosion, clean the water and give wildlife a home. It isn’t a beach. Please stay off it: no swimming, sunbathing or play, and keep kayaks and paddleboards off the plantings.

Security

The harbor is private property. Report suspicious activity or damage to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, then let the Harbormaster know.

Moorings and storage

• Moorings: mooring spaces, set and pull, and the mooring form (residents only)
• Dinghy & kayak storage: rack spaces and the storage form (residents only)

All boats must be out of the harbor at the end of the season. Watch the homepage notice and the Events calendar for the date.