Step
1
Give us a call
Call (302) 834-4172.
Great Loop Stop
Welcome, Loopers
Your Delaware City stop, laid out
Arrival Day
Seven simple steps
What to expect at the marina
Step
2
Call us at the Reedy Point Bridge
This lets us know you are about 30 minutes away and gives our crew time to prepare for your arrival.
Step
3
Prepare for a starboard-side tie
The Branch Canal is no more than 90 feet wide, so we initially land every arriving boat starboard-side-to.
Step
4
Warping / Flipping
Once you are secure at the dock, we will use a line, the current, and the wind to turn your boat for tomorrow’s departure. This is called warping.
Automatic visitor-footage loop: Our 38ft Life
Step
5
Ship Store
Visit the Ship Store to check in for dockage and pick up a map of town.
Step
6
Explore Delaware City
Explore your options
Step
7
Captain’s meeting
The weather briefing is generally held at 4 p.m. Check with marina staff for the current time and plan.
Explore
01
Michael N. Castle C&D Canal Trail
Ride the Castle Trail toward St. Georges or Chesapeake City
From Delaware City, the 0.4-mile Branch Canal Trail joins the paved 12.1-mile Michael N. Castle Trail. Ride west to St. Georges for a pub or ice-cream stop, or continue on the 14.3-mile route to historic Chesapeake City.
Check current status and closures ↗02
Fort Delaware · Pea Patch Island
Take the seasonal passenger ferry to Pea Patch Island
History buffs can tour the Civil War fort with costumed interpreters and scheduled programs that may include cannon or musket firing. Operating dates, tickets, and ferry times are seasonal—confirm all three with the park before leaving your slip.
Confirm dates, tickets, and departures ↗03
Cozy Quarters Farm
Trade helm time for horse time
Book a guided ride through town, or bring younger crew for ponies, goats, ducks, a pig, mini donkeys, mini horses, and plenty of chickens. The farm asks visitors to reserve by text.
See options and booking rules ↗04
Clinton Street + Battery Park
Take the easy waterfront walk from the marina
Follow the canal promenade through walkable, historic downtown, pass the old Central Hotel, and continue along Clinton Street to Battery Park. Pea Patch Island sits directly across the Delaware River.
Open the town history ↗05
Fort DuPont State Park
Walk the other half of the defense story
Follow the River View Trail past surviving gun batteries and waysides from a military base that served from the Civil War through World War II. Bring binoculars for osprey, eagles, and river birds.
Explore Fort DuPont ↗Dine
Dock to dinner
Three local answers to “what are we eating?”
All three are in Delaware City. The symbols are a quick budget guide, not exact menu pricing. Check current hours before walking over.
Family Crab House · $$
Kathy’s Crab House
A family-run Delaware City standby since 1982 with hearty made-to-order meals.
Menu ↗Pizza + Pasta · $
La Matesina
Pizza, Italian specialties, subs, takeout, delivery, and a dedicated vegan menu.
Menu and hours ↗Sandwich Shop · $
Sabatina’s
Italian hoagies, cheesesteaks, and chicken cutlet sandwiches downtown.
Menu and hours ↗Price-conscious plan: Walk the riverfront and Castle Trail for free, then split pizza or grab sandwiches in town.
