Bay Front

Ocean City’s sugar-sand ocean beaches tell only half the story. On the western coast, a system of bays, lagoons and estuaries separate the barrier island from the mainland. It’s a landscape of calm waters, wildlife and expanses of color framed by stately dock-front homes, boaters, water skiers, fishermen and picture-perfect sunsets.

It’s where you can grab a bite, rent a Jet-Ski, climb aboard a party boat for some deep-sea fishing, embark on a pleasure cruise or find just the right piece of gear you need for a fishing, surfing, kayaking, paddleboard or sailing adventure. And there are plenty of spots to drop a fishhook or crab line.

Each July, the bay and lagoons become the site of an Ocean City summer tradition, the festive celebration of Night in Venice, one of the world’s largest boat parades.

Here, too, you’ll find the Bayside Center, a historic home converted into a summertime museum, day camp and institute of study devoted to the back bays. The bayfront is quieter than the beach and Boardwalk, but the surf and sand are only a short walk away.