SJ Attractions: Cape May-Lewes Ferry

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry plays an integral role in the seashore experience of more than 1.3 million Atlantic Coast travelers each year. The ferry is your gateway to beautiful beaches, shopping, award-winning restaurants, art galleries, Victorian home tours, incredible antiques and more.

You can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as you cruise the Delaware Bay, sailing over and back as a foot passenger, without ever leaving the boat! The 70-minute-long ferry ride has been described as everything from “wonderfully relaxing” to an “unforgettable adventure” by folks from Connecticut to Colorado.

Shoreside transportation is available seven days a week during the summer season and on weekends during spring and fall. Shuttle buses and trolleys make regular loops between various tourist destinations and the ferry terminals.

Get together with someone special, friends, or the whole family and take a relaxing cruise on the beautiful bay aboard the ferry, then visit Victorian Cape May, New Jersey—a National Historic Landmark Site or, shop tax-free in Delaware’s resort towns. The ferry is your connection to :
* Historical Tours and Exhibits
* Sight-Seeing Tours
* Museum
* Bird Watching
* Whale and Dolphin Watching Expeditions
* A Zoo (with more than 250 species of animals, birds and reptiles).

Facts about the Ferry
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry launched in 1964, when Virginia, after the opening of Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel rendered its ferries unnecessary, sold four to the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) for $3.3 million. The DRBA later replaced the fleet with five newer vessels, turning to Denmark, the world’s master ferry builders, for inspiration. A team of Danish naval architects spent months designing the innovative features, safety systems and amenities found on the MV Twin Capes.

The 5 ships that make up the Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet are the MV Cape Henlopen, the MV Twin Capes, the MV New Jersey, the MV Cape May, and the MV Delaware.

* Crossing Distance: 17 miles
* Crossing Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
* Length: : 320'0"
* Breadth: 68'0"
* Depth: 17'0"
* Draft: 7'0" (max.)
* Displacement: 2100 tons+
* Capacity: 1000 passengers, 100 cars
* Main Engines: 2 Diesel, 4000 HP
* Top Speed: 16 knots

There's also plenty to do while you're on the ferry if you’re bored of the view or searching the water for dolphins, or if the outdoor weather isn’t as warm and friendly as it is inside: you can find plenty of fun indoors. Some of the ferries have specially designed children’s play areas for all that pent-up energy. And for the older kids (or maybe Mom or Dad), our onboard arcades offer lots of action. And if that doesn’t do it for you, there’s always food and beverages available to make your trip a pleasant one.

Parking’s plentiful, safe and free in the Cape May-Lewes Ferry parking lots. You can leave your car behind and prepare for the fun ahead.

Motorists should call ahead to reserve and guarantee vehicle space aboard the ferry. Charge it on your credit card by calling 1-800-64-FERRY (33779). You can also park your car for free and travel as a foot passenger without making reservations.

For the safety of you and your fellow passengers, DRBA regulations require a photo ID for all drivers and foot passengers before boarding the vessel.

For more information about the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, visit their website at www.capemay-lewesferry.com.

For an extensive list of South Jersey Attractions, with links to websites and other information, check out our Attractions page.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: C. Cohen