Description

A small dock that overlooks Gargathy Creek offers a place to launch a kayak/canoe to explore Metompkin Island, a barrier island about 1 mile to the east.  If not exploring the water, this dock also offers the opportunity to quickly view a salt marsh (when not being utilized for boat launching) and observe blue crabs and other inshore marine life. During summer, the clapper rail is a common and vocal denizen of the salt marsh here. Also watch for nesting tree swallow, purple martin, and for the only North American dragonfly that breeds in saltwater, the seaside dragonlet.

Notes:

• Parking permit required – see website.
• Yield use of this site to those launching boats.
• For visitation policies on Metompkin Island, check exploreourseaside.org/metompkin-island/.
• If exploring Metompkin Island (or any other barrier island), be respectful and mindful of the ground-nesting birds by staying close to the water’s edge, watching where you step, and backing away from flushing or mobbing birds (it means you are too close).

Directions

Physical Location: 29534 Gargatha Landing Rd, Parksley, VA 23421

From US-13 just south of Gargatha, turn right (east) onto Music Cir and follow as it winds around until it intersects SR 680/ Gargatha Landing Rd. Turn right onto SR 680/ Gargatha Landing Rd and follow 2.5 miles until the landing at the end of the road.