Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Cape May, New Jersey

“Being on a boat that’s moving through the water, it’s so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what’s important and what’s not.”

James Taylor

Cape May-Lewes Ferry

Beautiful house in Lewes, Delaware

Building in Lewes, Delaware

Santa's workshop in Lewes, Delaware 

The next leg of our journey was to drive up Eastern Shore of Virginia into Maryland and then into Delaware We were heading to Lewes, Delaware to catch the ferry to Cape May, New Jersey. We drove through the quaint town of Lewes but unfortunately couldn’t find a parking spot so we just headed to the terminal. It looks like a lovely town that we will have to come back and visit.

Lewes, Delaware Ferry Terminal

We entered the terminal parking lot going to the ticket booth where the ticket lady took our ticket that we ordered on line and told us what row to park. They recommend you make your reservations in advance to make sure you can cross at your desired time. We paid $28 dollars our car and the driver and then another $7 for an extra passenger.   The price depends on the time of the year you travel.  They do offer a military discount.   We were the second vehicle on the lot since we were over an hour early so we had plenty of time to relax before our sea journey to New Jersey.

We walked into the lovely terminal that had been remodeled in 2000 – 2001. The inside was lovely with a nice gift shop and food court. After fully exploring the inside of the terminal, we headed out to the back of the building to sit and look out over the water. Outside there was a plaque memorializing the unknown sailors who had perished off these waters. There were many plaques to read and lots of sitting areas. There is nothing nicer than sitting quietly on the waters edge. It must be lovely when the weather is nice and the outside food/bar area is open.

Boarding the ferry

Waiting for the last vehicle to pull in so we can leave. 

Lewes, Delaware shoreline

They announced when it was time to board over the intercom, and everyone went to their cars to prepare for boarding. The line foreman was precise with what vehicles were to be places where. We were directed as to when we needed to pull forward and get in line to park our car on the ferry. Once we were given the okay, we drove the car onto the ferry. After parking, we walked around the ferry and explored. This ferry seemed huge compared to the other ferry’s we had taken over the past couple days.

Packed and ready to go. 

Outside bar in the nice weather with canopy frame up and ready. 

Nice sitting area 

There are three Cape May-Lewes Ferries and each can hold 100 cars and 800 passengers and are 320 feet in length. These ferries carry cars, buses, RV’s, tractor trailers, motorcycles, bicycles, and foot passengers and is operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The original fleet came from Virginia when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was built and they closed the Little Creek-Cape Charles Ferry. They have since replaced the Cape May-Lewes Ferries with new diesel-powered vessels.. This service began on July 1, 1964 and at that time was a 24 hour service. In 1975, they cut it back to a 16 hour service.

Bar on the third floor

Inside seating

Cafe

Cafe

Gift shop window

Gift Shop

After walking around the vessel, we found a spot outside on the third floor to sit to watch our trip across the bay. Joe was able to get a beer at the bar upstairs where you could order drinks. I overheard one lady who ordered a Bloody Mary say it was the best one she ever had. The line for the bar seemed to never stop the whole way across the bay. On each ferry, there is an open car deck, gift shop, cafe, interior and exterior seating areas,. The interior seating was lovely and super comfortable like in a nice movie theater. In 1994, they renovated “MV Delaware” and added a third floor lounge that includes a deli and an outdoor bar. What a lovely spot to sit outside on a beautiful day.

The trip took us about 80 minutes and we were lucky enough to see three lighthouses; the First Harbor of Refuge Light near Lewes, the Delaware Breakwater East End Light near Lewes, and the Cape May Lighthouse in New Jersey. From the Lewes Ferry Terminal we were able to see the first two lighthouse just off the coast.

First Harbor of Refuge Light

As we left the terminal, we cruised closer to the First Harbor of Refuge Light which is a white conical tower with a black lantern that stands 76 feet tall and sits on a cast iron caisson built right into the breakwater. This lighthouse was first constructed in 1908 but not lit until 1926. The first lens was a Fourth-order Fresnel Lens. When that became outdated, they replaced it with the DCB-36 Aerobeacon that was operated by commercial power and used from 1945 – 1997. When that became outdated, they replaced it with a Vega VRB-25 which is operated by solar power and is still in use today. It has a white light that flashes every 5 seconds and is visible for 19 miles. There are also two red sectors to warn ships of the dangerous area and can been seen for 16 miles. This tower was restored by the United States Coast Guard in 1999. The ferry didn’t get to close but it was nice to see this beacon on our trip out of the harbor.

Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse

The next light sits close to the First Harbor of Refuge Light, was the Delaware Breakwater East End Light which is just off the Cape Henlopen on the inner Delaware Breakwater on the Delaware Bay near the town of Lewes, Delaware. This 49 foot lighthouse that is a reddish/brown colored tower with a black lantern was constructed in 1885 and has a Fourth-order Fresnel Lens that is still in this light. It was commissioned in 1884 and a wooden framed tower was completed on October 2,1885. After the Great Blizzard of 1888, the light was replaced in 1903, and now sits on a cast iron caisson. It was automated in 1950 but is now a current decorative light after being deactivated in 1996. They do offer periodic tours out to it.

Soaring sea gulls

A family enjoying the view

The trip across the Delaware Bay was lovely and calm that day. There was a lot of boat traffic and it was fun watching the ships go by. We spent some enjoyable time at the back of the ferry watching the sea gulls diving for food from the engines stirring up the fish. It was beautiful in the back of the ferry, watching the sun slowly sink in the sky.

Cape May Lighthouse

Add caption

The last lighthouse that we spotted was as we were pulling into Cape May. The Cape May Light stands on the at the tip of Cape May and stands at 157 feet tall. It is a beige lighthouse with a red cupola. This lighthouse was built in 1859 and the first light was a First-order Fresnel Lens that has since been replaced by a VRB – 25. The light can be seen for 24 nautical miles and is a white light that flashes every 15 seconds.

Waiting to be released from the ferry.  Cape May here we come.

When we docked, we had hoped we would be the first off but they went in the reverse order than what we thought and we were the last row to get off the ferry. We had a lovely time on the ferry and enjoyed the ride. It is a great way to travel if you can afford the time. It would be fun just taking the ferry as a passenger with a bicycle to ride around and explore either Cape May or Lewes. Hope you enjoyed this trip with us. Till next time. Bye for now.