Skip to content
  • Trips
    • Itineraries
    • Trip Ideas
    • Videos
    • Scenic Byways
    • Tour Operators
  • Explore
    • Washington, DC
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • By Experience
  • Transport
    • Airports
    • Local Transportation
    • Tour Operators
  • Plan
    • Accommodations
    • Currency Exchange
    • Weather
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Covid-19 Travel Updates
    • Travel Documents
  • Get a Holiday Guide
  • Subscribe to Enewsletter
  • English
  • 简体中文
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • Português
  • Español

14 Top Water Activities in the Capital Region

With the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and numerous lakes and rivers, Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia are great places to have fun on the water.

Share This:

1. Frolic in a Fountain

Cool off with a sprint through Georgetown Waterfront Park’s spray fountain in Washington, DC or at various splash pads around Baltimore.

2. Paddle the Potomac

Calm and convenient, the Potomac River beckons kayakers, canoers and stand-up paddlers. Any number of shops will get you kitted out and on the water in no time.

3. Whitewater Raft Through Richmond

No need to stray out of the city for this wild ride. Richmond’s James River offers a wide variety of rafting opportunities.

4. Partake in a Dragon Boat Race

The DC Dragon Boat Club welcomes all ages and abilities to try the ancient Chinese sport of dragon-boat racing at The Wharf.

5. Take a Surfing Lesson

Learn to catch the perfect wave under the tutelage of numerous shops in Ocean City, Maryland, including K-Coast Surf Shop’s Wave Riding School.

6. Play at a Water Park

Indulge in splash-worthy fun like water slides and wave pools at Williamsburg’s Water Country USA or McGaheysville’s Massanutten Resort.

7. Experience a Mule-Drawn Boat Ride

Board a canal boat pulled by a mule at Great Falls Visitor Center for a ride back to the 1870s along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.

8. Rent a Tidal Basin Paddleboat

Views of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial from the waters of Washington, DC’s Tidal Basin are stunning, particularly in the spring when the famous cherry trees are in bloom.

9. Tube the Gunpowder River

Flanked by lush woodlands, Maryland’s Gunpowder River near Monkton is a terrific spot for a leisurely summer float.

10. Tour by Water Taxi

The Baltimore Water Taxi stops at the city’s most iconic destinations, includ­ing the Inner Harbor and National Aquarium, while the Wharf Water Taxi offers direct routes between The Wharf and Georgetown in Washington, DC; Alexandria, Virginia; and National Har­bor, Maryland.

11. Kayak with Dolphins

May through October, take a guided kayak tour in Virginia Beach to soak up breathtaking scenery and spot dolphins in their natural habitat.

12. Learn How to Sail

Gain all the knowledge you need to safely skipper your own vessel at a sailing school in Annapolis or with DC Sail at The Wharf. 

13. Go on an Oyster Harvest Excursion

Based out of the Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia, the Virginia Oyster Academy offers the chance to accompany a waterman on a boat trip, followed by a chef-led oyster roast.

14. Take a Dip in a Swimming Hole

Perfect your dive at the natural swimming pools of Blowing Springs and Cave Springs recreation areas. 

Learn more about other outdoor activities in the Capital Region and explore the best beaches near Washington, DC.

Visiting during another time of year? Check out top things to do in this four-season guide.

Related Events
08 Aug 2022 - 13 Aug 2022

Old Fiddlers' Convention

Galax, Virginia

During the second week of August of each year the City of Galax has the world tapping its feet as the Old Fiddlers' Convention. Musicians and fans from around the world travel to Galax to perform a

Visit Website
01 Aug 2022 - 31 Aug 2022

Virginia Craft Beer Month

, Virginia

With more than 200 craft breweries throughout Virginia and being named one of the Top Seven Beer Destinations by Travel Channel, it's no surprise that the state dedicates the entire month of August

Visit Website
17 Sep 2022

Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull

Dulles, Virginia

Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull is a fun annual event that benefits Special Olympics of Virginia. The Plane Pull is a team competition to see which group can pull an airplane the fastest.

Visit website
23 Sep 2022 - 02 Oct 2022

State Fair of Virginia

Doswell, Virginia

Come see Virginia's finest animals and agriculture, exhibits and shows, toe-tappin' music, fine arts and crafts, blue ribbon competitions and more!

Visit website
30 Sep 2022 - 02 Oct 2022

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

Virginia Beach, Virginia

This end-of-summer festival hosted in Virginia beach features wine tastings, a world-class sandcastle competition, numerous athletic competitions, an open-air art show along the Boardwalk, an air s

Visit Website
08 Oct 2022

Chincoteague Oyster Festival

Chincoteague, Virginia

Celebrating the arrival of the oyster season and the local seafood industry, the Chincoteague Oyster Festival features oysters all ways – raw, steamed, fritters, singled fried, and more.

Visit website
07 Oct 2022 - 09 Oct 2022

Richmond Folk Festival

Richmond, Virginia

The Richmond Folk Festival is one of Virginia's largest events, drawing visitors from all over the country to downtown Richmond's historic riverfront.

Visit Website
01 Oct 2022 - 31 Oct 2022

Virginia Wine Month

, Virginia

Virginia celebrates its more than 300 wineries and vineyards throughout the month of October with wine specials and events at wineries, restaurants and retailers across the state.

Visit Website
04 Nov 2022 - 05 Nov 2022

Urbanna Oyster Festival

Urbanna, Virginia

The “official” oyster festival of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Urbanna Oyster Festival draws oyster-lovers from near and far.

Visit website
02 Nov 2022 - 06 Nov 2022

Virginia Film Festival

Charlottesville, Virginia

The Virginia Film Festival, now in its third decade, is one of America’s leading regional film festivals, and one of the premier cultural events in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Visit website
Trip Ideas
See All Trip Ideas
Segway tour with Bike and Roll

Suggested Itineraries

10 Famous Filming Locations in the Capital Region USA

National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, DC

Celebrate the Holidays in the Capital Region

Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, museum, African American history, USA

Experience Black History & Culture in the Capital Region

Otter Creek Campground, Virginia

Great American Roadtrip - Motorhome Itinerary

sailing, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, bridge, USA

Cruise the Coast

A woman kayaks along Lake Habeeb in Flintstone, Maryland

Social Distancing & Safer Exploration in the Capital Region

Change Course in Norfolk, Virginia

Thomas Shoal Lighthouse, Annapolis, Maryland, Chesapeake Bay, USA

The Chesapeake Bay

  • View Vacation Guides
  • Subscribe To Our Enewsletter
  • Get Social:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
Capital Region USA Logo
  • GDPR FAQ
  • MICE
  • Media
  • Partners
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trip Advisor Washington, DC
  • Trip Advisor Maryland
  • Trip Advisor Virginia

Copyright 2022 by Capital Region USA, PO Box 13352 Richmond, Virginia 23225 USA

Visit the USA dot com (opens in new window)
Fly dulles dot com (opens in new window)
  • English
  • 简体中文
  • Français
  • Deutsch
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • Português
  • Español