Where is Tangier Island?
In the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, between Virginia's Eastern Shore and the mainland. It belongs to Virginia, and there are no roads or bridges to it.
How do you get to Tangier Island?
By ferry or small plane. The seasonal Tangier Cruise ferry leaves from Reedville, Virginia, and the island has an airstrip for charter flights.
Is Tangier Island really sinking?
The island has lost about two-thirds of its land since 1850, mostly to erosion. A rock seawall built in 1989 protects the west side. The east side still has no protection, and that's where the town is pushing for help now.
Why do people on Tangier talk differently?
The first settlers came from Cornwall, England, and centuries of isolation kept their dialect alive. Locals often say the opposite of what they mean. "We ain't been nowhere today" means you've been everywhere.
How many people live on Tangier Island?
The 2020 Census counted 436 people, down from 727 in 2010. When we visited in 2026, the mayor put it closer to 300. When he was a boy, it was close to 1,000.
