Grand Lighthouse Tour from Cape May — Delaware Bay Offshore Lighthouse Cruise
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires ability to stand or sit for several hours and navigate wet decks
Overview
Climb aboard a six-hour cruise that threads the treacherous midchannel of Delaware Bay, passing seven offshore lighthouses and the living history behind them. Expect narrated storytelling, close-up views of iron and masonry towers, and regular wildlife sightings.
Grand Lighthouse Tour from Cape May — Delaware Bay Offshore Lighthouse Cruise
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You step onto the salt-slick deck just as Cape May’s breakwater sighs and the harbor lets you out. The boat noses into open water, and the mainland shrinks to a strip of Victorian rooftops and a single, familiar silhouette of Cape May Lighthouse. Ahead, a string of iron and masonry towers rise from sandbars and shoals—distant sentinels that have marked the shifting throat of Delaware Bay for more than a century.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring motion-sickness remedies
Winds and swell can make the midchannel rough; take or bring antiemetic medicine and sit mid-ship for the gentlest ride.
Dress in layers with a windproof outer
Open-deck wind and spray make a waterproof shell and warm mid-layers essential even on warm days.
Protect camera gear
Use a weather-sealed camera or waterproof housing and keep lenses dry with a microfiber cloth.
Arrive early to collect boarding pass
Bring your voucher to the ticket booth to redeem your boarding pass—staff recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Atlantic bottlenose dolphin
- Migratory sea birds (terns, gannets)
History
The Delaware Bay lighthouses were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries to mark shifting shoals and protect a vital shipping corridor serving Philadelphia and other ports.
Conservation
These offshore structures sit in sensitive marine habitats; visitors are asked not to throw trash overboard and to respect wildlife distances—local operators follow guidelines to minimize disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cape May
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windproof waterproof jacket
Shields you from spray and wind during the open-bay portion of the cruise.
Binoculars
Brings distant lighthouses, seabirds, and marine mammals into clear view.
Seasickness medication or patches
Reduces discomfort on choppy crossings—highly recommended for prone travelers.
Waterproof bag or dry sack
Protects electronics and personal items from salt spray and unexpected rain.