Tangier Sound is a broad, open-water sound within the Chesapeake Bay, offering paddlers a mix of protected marshland trails and exposed bay paddling. The primary access point for paddlers is Janes Island State Park near Crisfield, Maryland. The park provides a free dedicated kayak and canoe launch, a public boat ramp for a fee, and rentals for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. From this launch, paddlers have immediate access to over 30 miles of marked, protected water trails that wind through intricate saltmarsh channels. These trails lead out to the open waters of Tangier Sound and miles of undeveloped white sand beaches on the bay side of Janes Island. Another noted launch area is around Deal Island, where paddling from the village harbor provides access to the sound. Informal soft launches also exist, such as a sandy beach area near Rumbley, though parking there is limited to the roadside.

Paddling conditions are heavily influenced by tide and wind. Planning a trip around the tides is recommended for the smoothest ride, especially within the marsh channels. When venturing into Tangier Sound itself, paddlers encounter open water with significant fetch, making conditions highly susceptible to wind. Calm days are ideal for paddleboarding and open-water exploration, while windier conditions necessitate sticking to the sheltered creeks and marshes. Boat traffic is generally light around Janes Island, but the sound is a working waterway, so awareness of larger vessels is necessary. The area is rich in wildlife; paddlers commonly see blue crabs, great blue herons, egrets, bald eagles, and occasionally dolphins in the sound. The biting insects, particularly green flies, can be ferocious during warmer months, providing an incentive to stay out on the water.

The overall experience ranges from serene, bird-filled marsh paddles to expansive, big-sky adventures on the sound, with spectacular sunsets being a notable highlight. The region has a remote, timeless character, with nearby Smith Island offering a unique cultural destination accessible by paddle for experienced boaters. Facilities at Janes Island State Park include a marina, camping, and a boat dock at Flatcap Beach providing access to the island's lengthy shoreline.