Boating - motorized at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

View from land looking down the boat ramp toward the water

Whether you plan to fish, hunt or just observe wildlife, the Wise Point Boat Ramp is a launch point for people with motorized and non-motorized boats. Access to the ramp is from Route 13 and Route 600 (Seaside Road) through the refuge onto Ramp Lane.

Hours

5:00 AM to 10:00 PM - boat ramp and parking area closed all other times
Note: the remainder of the wildlife refuge is closed from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.

Amenities

41 trailer parking spaces
21 vehicle only parking spaces
Twin 16-foot wide boat ramps
Floating courtesy pier
Restrooms

Dog Policy at Wise Point Boat Ramp

Dogs are prohibited at the boat ramp with the exception of hunting season waterfowl retrieval (see below). Dogs are NOT allowed to enter the boat ramp parking lot, or be loaded on or off watercraft
Hunting Dogs that are used to assist in the retrieval of waterfowl are only permitted during the state waterfowl season from September through February.

Dog Policy Justification: Our primary purpose as a National Wildlife Refuge is to protect wildlife. Shorebirds nest, migrate and are present year round. They start to arrive as early as February to begin nesting; even the sight of a well-trained dog can cause beach nesting shorebirds to abandon their nest/chicks and can stress depleted migrating shorebirds. Thank you for respecting our rules.

Fees

Boat Ramp Use (recreational) - 1 Day Pass
Valid for full day of purchase

Please pay at the self-serve fee booth located at the entrance to the boat ramp. Payments can be cash, check or money order (payable to US Fish & Wildlife Service). Remove the yellow hang tag and drop the the envelope with your payment in the self-serve fee booth. Hang the yellow on your vehicle’s rear-view mirror as proof of payment.

$10.00 per vehicle, per day

Boat Ramp Use (recreational) - Annual Pass
Valid for calendar year of purchase.

In Person: 2025 Annual Boat Ramp Passes are available to purchase in person at our administrative office. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment: (757) 331-2760. To expedite the process, download, print, and fill out the application for a Boat Ramp Annual Pass. Bring the application and payment to your appointment. Payments can be cash, check or money order (payable to US Fish & Wildlife Service).
By Mail: To purchase your 2025 Annual Boat Ramp Pass via mail, download, print, and fill out the application. Mail your completed application with your payment to US Fish & Wildlife Service, 5003 Hallett Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Payments must be a check or money order made payable to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Once we receive and process your application, we will mail your annual pass to the address indicated on your application. Please ensure that the address on your application is a viable mailing address. We cannot mail annual passes to international addresses.
Purchase of an annual pass does not guarantee parking. Please be advised the ramp closes once it reaches full parking capacity, a common occurrence on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

$120 per calendar year, per vehicle (non-transferrable)

Boat Ramp Use (commercial) - Annual Pass
For businesses such as commercial fishing.

Please contact us at (757) 331-2760 for more information.

Closures

The ramp may, at times, be closed to protect public health, safety, or natural resources; to conduct maintenance operations; or for other reasons.
Due to the critical nature of their habitats for wildlife, Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge and Skidmore Island (part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge) are closed to the public. Trespassing (including boat landing or walking on the beach) is prohibited.