Ocean City is a ten-mile barrier island beach on Maryland's Atlantic coast, one of the mid-Atlantic's most popular summer resort destinations. Atlantic tidal range of 3–4 feet shapes the beach noticeably; low tide reveals a wide sandy flat, while high tide brings the water close to the dune line and boardwalk.
Atlantic tidal range of 3–4 ft; low tide reveals a broad, firm sand flat — the best time for walking the full beach length, jogging, and finding shells along the waterline. Swimming in the lifeguarded zone is most comfortable at mid tide; modest shore break is surfable at mid tide; surf fishing from the jetties at the Ocean City Inlet is productive at any tide around current changes. Local note: the 3-mile Boardwalk features local institutions like Thrasher's French Fries and Fractured Prune donuts; free city bus service runs the full length of the Boardwalk; bike rentals are available in early morning before bikes are prohibited from the Boardwalk in peak hours.
Nearby Beaches