Location: Chincoteague, Virginia, USA
Recommended by Me, The Directionally Challenged Traveler
How do I know it’s ethical?
The ponies roam freely and are completely wild. The herd is cared for by local veterinarians. The annual pony swim at the end of July raises funds to take care of the animals. The auction helps keep the herds’ size manageable. The ponies are well-loved by the locals, and protected by laws.
Description of the Experience
We got lucky and saw the ponies on our way to the beach! All of a sudden there was a line of cars parked on the side of the road so we decided to stop. Then we saw people with cameras. To the right of the road, not too far away, was about eight wild ponies just enjoying the sun and getting some food!
The ponies have been on the island for over a century and wander freely. Check social media for people posting about where they are spotting the ponies to get guidance!
You can read more about the best things to do in Chincoteague, Virginia.
Company/ Cost:
You don’t need to book a tour for the ponies, but you can try to do a kayaking tour or boat tour to see them on the water.

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This is one post on a series of ethical animal tourism posts by travel content creators. The experiences cover all seven continents and a variety of animals. Ensure that your animal experience is an ethical one.
Learn More About Ethical Animal Tourism
10 Questions to Ask to Ensure the Encounter is Ethical?