Oyster Harbor is a private community on the Annapolis Neck peninsula, just outside of Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. With a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay, it was originally incorporated in the 1950’s where at that time most of the original owners were African American families.
Our 400+ homes on 10 roads represent a variety of styles of architecture. Many of the original homes are beach bungalows. Some of the newer homes are raised high on pilings as a precaution against the high tides of storms given the low lying nature of this peninsula.
The diversity and vast age range are what make our community stand out from the rest and gives us a unique sense of community. The majority of residents are year-round, with a handful of weekenders and summer vacationers. Whether residents are year-round or weekenders or vacationers, the unique sense of community bonds neighbors allowing us to come together in time of need to help one another.
The entrance to Oyster Harbor is at Arundel-on-the-Bay and Thomas Point Roads. The community is accessible from the Chesapeake Bay on two sides: 1) by way of an inlet into Oyster Creek that is marked with navigational aids in the summertime, and 2) via Fishing Creek, just south of the Oyster Creek inlet. (See NOAA chart 12293.)
We share Oyster Creek with the communities of Bay Highlands and Venice Beach and the village of Highland Beach. We share Fishing Creek with the communities of Arundel-on-the-Bay, Fishing Creek Farms, and Gordon Cove. The iconic Thomas Point Lighthouse can be seen from the Oyster Harbor shoreline and its fog horn can be heard on misty days.
Our community has three marinas open to residents, one on Oyster Creek and the other on Fishing Creek. The Oyster Creek has a boat holding tank pumpout that is free and open to the public. We also have a boat ramp on Oyster Creek, and a fishing pier along the inlet into Oyster Creek, all open to residents.
As a private community that is a special taxing district, we maintain our own roads. Most of our homes draw their water from individual wells. Most have county sewage service. Oyster Harbor is very family-friendly with two playgrounds located at the community beach and on the Harbor Road lot.