Beach Reservations

OHCA IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING 2026 RESERVATIONS FROM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS FOR BEACH FACILITIES SUCH AS THE GAZEBOS, BBQs, CHAIRS, AND PICNIC TABLES.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BEACH ITSELF REMAINS OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS AND THEIR ACCOMPANIED GUESTS FROM DAWN UNTIL MIDNIGHT 365 DAYS A YEAR.

OHCA DOES NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS FOR FEDERAL HOLIDAYS — SMALL PRIVATE PARTIES ON HOLIDAYS ARE FINE BUT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH OTHER RESIDENTS ENJOYING THE BEACH AND PIER.  PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR GUESTS COMPLY WITH ALL HEALTH CODES AND OHCA’S PARKING/ BEACH RULES.

THE MAXIMUM SIZE FOR PRIVATE BEACH EVENTS IS 50 PEOPLE.  NO DOGS OR PETS ARE ALLOWED ON THE BEACH AT ANY TIME, LEASHED OR UNLEASHED.

MOTORIZED CRAFT—INCLUDING JET SKIS—ARE NOT ALLOWED ON OHCA’S BEACH, NEAR THE NETTED SWIM AREA, OR INSIDE THE BREAKWATERS AT ANY TIME.  HAND-POWERED PADDLE BOARDS, CANOES, WIND SURFERS, AND KAYAKS ARE FINE WHILE THEIR OWNERS ARE ON THE BEACH OR SWIMMING.

FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES.  MARYLAND STATE LAW BANS PRIVATE FIREWORK DISPLAYS AND THE IMPORTATION OF FIREWORKS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON D.C.

PLEASE KEEP NOISE LEVELS REASONABLE AT ALL TIMES.  PARTIES AND MUSIC ON THE BEACH SHOULD STOP AT 10 PM TO COMPLY WITH THE COUNTY’S 2021 REVISED NOISE ORDINANCE.  (CLEAN-UP CREWS AND QUIET CONVERSATIONS CAN CONTINUE UNTIL THE BEACH CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT.)  THE COUNTY DEFINES EXCESSIVE NOISE AS ANYTHING PRODUCED BY AMPLIFIED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, TVS, STEREOS, RADIOS, OR DJS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA THAT CAN BE HEARD MORE THAN 50 FEET AWAY.  PLEASE RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBORS WHO MAY RETIRE EARLY, SLEEP WITH THEIR WINDOWS OPEN, OR HAVE CHILDREN/THE ELDERLY/PETS AT HOME.

CHECK THE BEACH CALENDAR AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS ONLINE AT WWW.OYSTERHARBOR.ORG.  SEE YOU AT THE BEACH IN 2026!!

OHCA welcomes use of the community beach by local residents and hopes you have a great event. Please remember that reservations apply only to facilities (gazebos, BBQs, tables, and chairs) not to the beach itself or the pier, which remain open to all OHCA residents between dawn and midnight. Residents can book two small quiet parties each year (up to 50 people and 8 hours per event, not on Federal Holidays) and can check reservations at OHCA’s website, www.oysterharbor.org

Please ensure that your guests do not block mailboxes or park illegally on community streets or private property — including driveways and the empty double-lot across the street. Park only on the apron along the Bay side of Shore Drive between Ellis and 3305 Shore Drive, where the fence ends. Remember: there is no street parking in Oyster Harbor except along the east side of Shore Drive. OHCA can and will tow illegally parked cars. Direct overflow parking to your own driveway or the community parking lots at Harbor and Creek, Booker Pier, Fishing Creek, or the Washington Drive boat ramp.

Swim at your own risk — there is no lifeguard. Keep your children and rafts away from the nets and pilings, which have splinters, nails, and critters. Do not swim in the boat channel nor dive from the pier. CAUTION: jellyfish can get inside the netted swimming area and have stung swimmers in past years. Check the water first.

Please help us keep our beach clean for everyone’s enjoyment by picking up all your trash, bagging it, and putting recyclables into containers. Do not leave cigarette butts in the sand or gazebos. Please check for personal belongings and try to leave the beach in better shape than you found it. If you notice any problems or broken equipment, please report them to our Community Manager (ProCom) at 410-721-0777 or online at www.oysterharbor.org. Enjoy OHCA’s new beach playground and sports equipment!

A port-a-potty is located at the pumping station near the beach gate year-round. Please help keep it sanitary and report any problems directly to Jiffy John, whose phone number appears on the unit, or OHCA’s Community Manager ProCom, 410-721-0777×147.

OHCA gets its beach water tested during the summer for intestinal bacteria by Anne Arundel County’s Department of Health (DoH) and Anne Arundel Community College’s Operation Clearwater (AACC). The EPA considers enterococci bacteria levels below 105 to be safe for swimming. In 2026, AACC measured high readings of 134 on June 3, 140 on June 24, 1600 on July 8, 635 on July 29, 350 on August 5, 210 on August 12, and 180 on August 19—all likely due to geese and/or rain run-off. The County’s Department of Health, which samples OHCA’s beach bi-weekly, reported safe readings all summer except 176 on July 27, which prompted a voluntary County advisory against swimming at OHCA’s beach. The advisory was lifted August 12 after DoH readings of 54 on August 10 and 45 on August 11. AACC retested our water at 30 on August 21. DoH also has a 48-hour “do not swim” advisory after more than 1/2 inch of rain. This is because rainfall flushes animal waste like dog and goose feces into the water and is one reason why OHCA has a firm “no pet” rule on the beach. It is also why OHCA asks you to help chase geese off our community beach all year-round.

Beach Reservation Request