Parasail – Soar high above the boardwalk and get the best view of Ocean City – from 800 feet in the air. Experienced guides guarantee a safe, smooth ride, and you might not even have to get your feet wet. Fly over the bay to check out the OC skyline, or take the ocean route and try to spot dolphins.  And the best part – no experience is necessary for this exhilarating ride.

Catch a Fish (Or Several!) - Anglers find themselves in a saltwater heaven in Ocean City, where one day you can reel in yellow fin tuna and blue marlin a short distance off-shore, and the next day drop a line in the bay or off one of the many piers for some flounder.  There are several fishing outfitters and charters ready to set you on course for a fishing trip to brag about.

Delve Into an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet - Crab legs or prime rib?  Shrimp or steak?  You don’t have to choose at Ocean City’s popular buffets – you can have it all.  Several restaurants in town offer extensive buffets, many offering a baffling array of seafood, including local delicacies like Maryland Blue Crabs.  Those picky eaters in the family are bound to find happiness with the dozens and dozens of delicious offerings.  And one thing is for sure, nobody’s leaving hungry.

Shop, Shop, and Shop Again - We know the story – you go in for a beach towel and some sunscreen and you come out with a new necklace, a bathing suit, some candy and a handful of souvenirs you just have to have.  It is Ocean City shopping at its finest-there’s everything you need and much, much more.  From beautiful jewelry to discount designer dubs, you’ll find a wide variety of merchandise all over town, from the outlet malls to the boardwalk.

Go on an Eco-Adventure - Away from the bustling boardwalk, there are still areas of pristine natural beach, with swaying marsh grasses and plentiful wildlife.  And luckily, exploring these areas is surprisingly easy.  Just head over to Assateague Island, rent a kayak or bicycle, and explore the island.  Or, take a guided nature cruise right from Ocean-City and let a professional naturalist explain the eco-system and point out wildlife.

Cool Off on a Speed Boat - It’s 90 degrees, you’ve been in the sun all day, and you’re craving a cool breeze.  Sounds like the perfect time to jump on one of Ocean City’s speedboat cruises, which blast you across the ocean at top speeds.  Feel the wind and cool mist on your face as you try to spot dolphins in the boat’s high-powered wake.  Just don’t forget to take your hat off.

Rent a Jet Ski – Take on the waves in your own watercraft.  Fast and fun to drive, jet ski rentals are a great way to cool off and get your adrenaline pumping after a day of lounging in the sun.  Area rental companies provide training and equipment, and require that you stay within a certain riding area.   Ride alone or with a friend, and prepare for a thrilling (and wet!) ride.

Fly a Kite – A quintessential beach activity, kite flying is a great way to get the whole family involved.  Bring your own kite, or buy a new one at the beach.  You’ll be surprised by the variety of colors and shapes.  Single line kites are the easiest to fly, while two-line kites are the best for maneuvers like loops and spins.  Area kite stores are more than happy to assist you in your search for the perfect kite, and give tips on how to fly it best.

Dine on the Docks -A beach vacation just isn’t complete without a good meal and a cool drink with an ocean view.  Ocean City is home to several quality restaurants with stunning views.  Signature drinks, delectable seafood and a great atmosphere are staples of every waterside establishment.  Some also double as popular hotspots at night, with live music and a fun-loving crowd.

Spot a Wild Pony - The ponies of Assateague Island have been roaming the sand dunes and marshes of their windswept strip of land for hundreds of years.  Today, visitors come from near and far to check out the peculiar animals in their natural habitat.  Just remember not to touch or feed the ponies – they are still wild animals.

Thx to the Ocean City Visitor’s Guide - Vol 15 – No. 3

Let's go fishing at the largest billfish tournament in the Nation

It’s getting to that super special time of the summer!  Ocean City, Maryland hosts the annual White Marlin Tournament, the largest bill fish tournament in the world. It began in 1974 with just 56 boats competing for $20,000 in prize money.  It has grown over the decades.  This year there will be over 4 boats, 1,500 anglers, tens of thousands of spectators and millions of dollars in prize money.

The fish are spectacular. The prizes are huge, totaling more than $2.5 million. And the excitement is building for the 36th Annual White Marlin Open, Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7, 2009.

Stakes are high–up to nearly $1 million for the biggest white marlin. Prizes are also awarded for the largest blue marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi (dolphin fish), wahoo and shark.

Spectators are welcome to watch, as 300+ boats take more than 1,500 of the world’s best anglers out to pursue some of America’s largest fish. Then check out the spectacular weigh-ins every evening from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Harbour Island Marina, 14th Street and the bay.

You never know what you’ll see at the weigh-in. In 2001, a local man proposed to his wife-to-be at the scales. A few years later, he caught a fish worth almost $1 million.

The anglers will be fishing for the white marlin, the top prize in the tournament, as well as blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark.

From August 3rd thru the 7^th, the boats may fish any three of those days. Boats participating in the tournament must be weighed in at the official scale at the Harbour Island Marina between 4 and 9:15pm.  There are large amounts of money to be won.  These anglers are very serious.

It’s a lot of fun to go to Harbour Island Marina in the late afternoon and watch the big boats come in.  They will be flying flags to show what type of fish they have caught. They then pull up to the weigh-in area, and the fish is hauled up, and weighed in front of the crowd.  There is lots of cheering and clapping.  It is an extremely good time being had by all.

If you have never experienced the White Marlin Tournament, you are truly missing out. Harbour Island Marina is located on 13^th Street and the Bay in Ocean City, Maryland.  Get there early so you can get a good spot by the scale.