Answer
Outgoing tide plus headwind makes return legs exhausting—plan shorter outbounds when both stack against you. Afternoon sea breeze chops bay surfaces. Check NWS hourly forecasts before you leave the launch; thunderstorms move fast in summer.
Sources: NWS Wakefield / NOAA · Maryland DNR · Visit Ocean City
Editorial visitor guidance for Ocean City, Maryland. Confirm current Town of Ocean City, Maryland DNR, NPS Assateague, and NWS rules when regulations or safety apply.
