2013 Map of Ship Shoal Inlet

About this map

Ship Shoal Island and a series of dynamic barrier islands define this coastal stretch of Northampton County, where the Atlantic Ocean meets a complex network of marshes and tidal channels. This 2013 survey captures the intricate hydrography of the Eastern Shore, from the protected waters of South Bay to the exposed stretches of Myrtle Island Beach and Smith Island Beach. The landscape is dominated by ecological and navigational features rather than human settlements, characterized by winding waterways like Main Ship Shoal Channel, Black Rock Channel, and White Perch Channel. These deep-water veins provide passage between the barrier islands, such as Godwin Island and Mink Island, which protect the inner marshes of Mockhorn Island. The absence of roads or structures emphasizes the wilderness character of these coastal reaches, where inlets like Little Inlet and Bungalow Inlet shift with the tides.