Things to do nearCape May - Lewes

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has operated since 1964, filling a gap that once required travelers to drive far inland around Delaware Bay. The service quickly became more than a shortcut, earning a devoted following among those who simply enjoy being on the water between two distinct coastal communities.

Each sailing lasts roughly 85 minutes and covers 17 miles of open Delaware Bay. Passengers can settle into interior lounges, grab a meal or snack at the onboard cafe, or stake out a spot on the upper deck to watch working boats, ospreys, and the occasional dolphin. The crossing is calm enough for families with young children yet spacious enough to feel genuinely unhurried.

The New Jersey side sits just minutes from some of the region's most rewarding stops. The Cape May Lighthouse stands about four miles away, and the quiet strand of Sunset Beach is even closer, known for its sunken concrete ship and nightly flag ceremony. On the Delaware side, the ferry sets you down in Lewes, a town with a colonial-era streetscape and easy access to Cape Henlopen State Park.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry remains one of the most scenic and stress-free ways to move between New Jersey and Delaware, and the crossing itself is very much part of the journey.