The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is a 14-mile-long, 450-foot-wide, and 40-foot-deep ship canal connecting the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay, forming a significant part of the Intracoastal Waterway. It is one of the busiest canals in the world, with over 25,000 vessels transiting annually, a large portion of which are commercial ships and tugs with tows. This high volume of deep-draft traffic is the primary hazard for paddlers, who must exercise extreme caution. All vessels, regardless of size, are recommended to maintain a VHF radio watch on channel 13 to monitor ship communications. The canal is open year-round, though winter can bring occasional closures or restrictions for small craft due to icy conditions.

Paddling access is available via public carry-in launches, such as the one simply listed as "C&D Canal" in Delaware, which is free and suitable for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. The town docks in Chesapeake City, Maryland, offer another potential access point from April through October, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The canal's conditions are generally calm and flatwater, making it suitable for beginners, though paddlers must remain acutely aware of ship traffic and its associated wakes. The best seasons for paddling are spring, summer, and fall, specifically from March through November.

The canal holds significant maritime heritage, with the C&D Canal Museum and Bethel Bridge Lighthouse located at the project office in Chesapeake City. The waterway cuts across the Delmarva Peninsula and is considered the beginning of that peninsula. Paddlers can venture from the canal to the Delaware River to circle Pea Patch Island, noting that wind gusts can be a factor in that open area. Amenities at some access points may include a fishing pier. The overall paddling experience is defined by its industrial and working waterway character, where paddlers share the channel with massive commercial vessels.