This New Jersey Town Has The Biggest Heart
Cape May is often named among the best beach towns in New Jersey, the best in the US, and the best along the Atlantic Ocean. However, Cape May and Cape May Point are two municipalities. Although the names are often used interchangeably, some of the most famous sights and activities are clearly in Cape May Point.
Its iconic lighthouse, always included as a must-see, is at the tip of the Cape May peninsula in Cape May Point. And if you want to go hunting for the famed Cape May diamonds, you will find them at the Point as well. Here are some of the many reasons Cape May Point is so special.
Where the Ocean Meets the Bay
One of the most stunning features of Cape May Point is its location at the very tip of New Jersey's Cape May Peninsula. Here, the rushing saltwater of the Atlantic meets the freshwater of Delaware Bay. You can see the waters meet in a remarkable view from the top of the Cape May Point lighthouse.
This part of the state is very different from northern New Jersey. Its climate and vegetation more closely resemble that of the US South. Its position at a low elevation between the ocean and the bay gives the Cape May Peninsula many more frost-free days throughout the year than areas in the northern part of the state.
Digging for Diamonds
Visitors of all ages love hunting for the famed Cape May Diamonds, typically found along the shores of Cape May Point. Not real diamonds per se, they are treasures in their own right. Pieces of quartz that broke off from veins in the mountains many years ago tumble over and over through the water of the Delaware River to the Delaware Bay, and wash ashore at Cape May Point. These "diamonds" are usually milky or cloudy in appearance when found on the beach, but if held up to the light, their translucent quality often can be seen.
Beachcombers and jewelers tumble these "diamonds in the rough" until they are smooth and truly translucent, which can take several weeks of continuous tumbling per piece. They then affix them to a jewelry setting. Look for pieces of the quartz that can range from the size of a pebble to an egg. Finished stones are worth about $7.99 per carat, but their value to the finder may be priceless.
Cape May Point Lighthouse
Some would say the lighthouse is the heart of Cape May Point. Sometimes called simply "the Cape May Lighthouse," it is located inside Cape May Point State Park and still serves as a beacon for sailors today. Over 2.5 million visitors have climbed the 199 steps to the top since the lighthouse was opened to the public in 1988.
If you decide to add to that statistic, you will find interpretive panels that tell the tales of lighthouse keepers of the past, plus some of the history of the lighthouse itself and the surrounding area. These panels also give you a chance to pause and rest on the climb! When you reach the top, you will be treated to a view of not only where the ocean and bay waters meet, but also the park's trails and the town itself.
Night climbs are scheduled periodically, such as the Full Moon Climb on July 10, 8 pm to 10 pm. It is a special treat to see the area by the light of the moon. Admission is charged to climb the lighthouse, with discounts given to children, military, and veterans. Stop at the Visitors Center, located in the old Oil House, for information before your climb. The gift shop is a handy place to get souvenirs of your visit.
Cape May Point State Park
This 244-acre park is abundant with varied topography, from the sandy beach and dunes to marshes and forests. World War II buffs will be interested in the gun battery on site, which was built in 1942 as part of the Harbor Defense Project. At the time, it sat 900 feet inland and was covered with sod to look like it was merely a hill when viewed from the air or sea. Erosion has caused it to sit on the beach, and its turrets are visible during low tide. Visitors are not permitted to climb on the gun battery, and should approach it with caution due to its somewhat precarious position.
Due to the underwater railroad tracks left over from sand mining days, the strong current, and other hazards, swimming is not permitted at the Point. Most visitors are too busy hunting for Cape May diamonds here to miss swimming!
The park has three hiking trails of different lengths, each giving hikers the opportunity to see different flora and fauna. The Red Trail is .5 mile long, is wheelchair accessible, and takes you to the East and West Lighthouse ponds where you may see wading birds, osprey, ducks, and swans. The 1.5-mile Yellow Trail and the 2-mile Blue Trail both go through the sandy beach, dune, and wetland marsh, where you can see various shorebird habitats.
Anglers can fish in the surf along the shore for bluefish, flounder, weakfish, tautog, and striped bass. Numerous tables, benches, and grassy areas are ready for families and small groups to picnic; groups of 20 or more should reserve a pavilion. The park does not charge admission to enter, although pavilion reservations do have rental fees.
Migratory Species Corridor
The Cape May Peninsula is one of the largest flyover and stopping areas for migrating shorebirds in North America, second only to the Copper River Delta in Alaska. Visitors are amazed by the huge flocks of raptors, osprey, northern harrier, red knot, sanderling, song birds, many owl species, and other birds that stop to rest and feed here in the spring en route to their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic. One of the best places to see the birds arriving is at Higbee Beach. Get there just before dawn to see the most species.
Delaware Bay is the largest spawning ground in the world for horseshoe crabs, and many birds time their stopover to feed on the crabs' eggs. Large flocks of birds stop again on their way back in the early fall. This is also when huge numbers of monarch butterflies and dragonflies stop to build their strength before continuing on their migration routes.
Food and Lodging
Just as the birds and butterflies find rest and nourishment in Cape May Point, humans have many options too. Seafood doesn't get any fresher than when dining by the water, as restaurants like Fish House and Lobster House will show you. If you want to stay and play longer in the laid-back beauty of the Point, rest in the luxuriously appointed rooms and ambiance of La Mer Beachfront Resort. Or, for rustic, kid-friendly digs, stay at one of Cape May's many campgrounds like the Beachcomber, which offers swimming, fishing, and lots of ongoing activities.
A Unique Beach Town
Cape May Point is not a traditional Jersey shore beach town. You cannot surf its waves or ride a boogie board to its shore. Instead, it calls everyone to experience the wonders of nature. It is a resting spot for creatures who need a place to land, find nourishment, and recharge. It is people who care about all of these creatures and about tending to the shores and wetlands around them so they remain a safe and healthy haven for generations to come. Close enough to its wilder sister shore towns when you want to enjoy them, but worlds away when you return, Cape May Point welcomes you with the biggest heart in all of New Jersey.
