The Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean surroundings contribute to a unique and pleasurable lifestyle in Accomack County. The County is conveniently situated within a short distance of many East Coast cities, including Richmond, the state capital (165 miles), Norfolk (80 miles), Washington, D.C. (150 miles), and Baltimore, Maryland (140 miles).

The 9,000-acre Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is in northern Accomack County. This refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits swimming, hiking, fishing, bird watching, and provides narrated tours. The annual penning and auctioning of wild ponies in the area is a major event for the community. Thousands of people are drawn to the area each year for the weeklong celebration and carnival associated with pony penning.

The Nature Conservancy and the state and federal governments maintain a 45-mile stretch of oceanside barrier islands in their natural state. The public can access most of these islands. They are renowned for their expansive beaches, surrounding lush salt marshes, and great concentrations of shorebirds, seabirds, and migrating waterfowl.