Sandy Point State Park Annapolis Open Water Swimming

Sandy Point State Park features a mile-long sandy beach on the Chesapeake Bay at the western terminus of the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge. The 786-acre park attracts over one million visitors annually, making it one of Maryland’s most popular swimming destinations. Access via East College Parkway in Annapolis, with parking available for a $5 weekend/$4 weekday admission fee. The park includes bathhouses with showers and changing facilities, restrooms, picnic pavilions, and a full-service marina with 22 boat ramps.

The beach offers gradual water entry over sandy bottom, though some areas include rocks and shells. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 AM to 6 PM daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The swimming area provides stunning views of the Bay Bridge and access to the historic Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse visible offshore. Water conditions vary with tides and wind, with calmer swimming typically found during morning hours before southerly winds develop in the afternoon. The protected bay location provides relief from ocean surf while still offering open water swimming opportunities.

This is the starting point for the famous Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, a 4.4-mile open water crossing to Kent Island held annually in June. The charity event benefits the March of Dimes and attracts 600 swimmers who traverse between the bridge spans. Local swimmers train at various Chesapeake Bay locations and tributaries, with groups like the Arundel Breakfast Club swimming regularly in nearby rivers and coves. The park also hosts the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge each January.

Water quality monitoring is conducted by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, with weekly testing from May through September. A 48-hour swimming advisory is issued following heavy rainfall. Check current conditions via the automated results line at 410-222-7999 or online before swimming. The Chesapeake Bay’s improving water quality makes this an increasingly attractive destination for distance swimmers and families alike.