Cape May, New Jersey, has it all. It is a quaint town with boutique shops and amazing restaurants. There are wineries and breweries for afternoons of tastings. And if you are visiting the southernmost point in the state during the warmer months, there are a multitude of water-based activities to enjoy. Here are the top five water activities to do in Cape May.
Spend the day at the beach.
Cape May has two main beaches for swimming that are open to the public. Visitors are welcome to swim at the Atlantic Ocean Beach or the Delaware Bay Beach. Prefer the safety of having a life guard? The Atlantic Ocean Beach has life guards on duty from July 1 until Labor Day. Comfort stations and open showers can be found every few blocks along the beach so you are never far from convenience and sand free feet. Note that Cape May beaches do require a fee to use the beach Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend. If you enjoy the sound of the waves but do not want to get in the water, Sunset Beach is free to use but swimming is not allowed. Wilbraham Mansion is a quick ten-minute walk from the closest beach and beach chairs are provided for guests of the inn.
Go for a boat ride.
The options for boating in Cape May, New Jersey seem endless:
See majestic mammals on a dolphin and whale watching tour. Cape May is a prime location for seeing Humpback, Fin, and Minke whales. Guests are also occasionally able to spot the endangered Right Whale. You may also see Bottlenose Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Hammerhead Sharks, or Cow-Nosed Stingrays. Many of the whale watching tours last about three hours. There are many companies to choose from including Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, Thunder Cat Dolphin Watch Speedboat, and Cape May Whale Watcher. Prices generally range from $40 and up for an adult ticket.
Expand your bird watching skills by adding water birds to your list. Salt Marsh Safari takes guests into the back bays to prime bird watching spots. The twin hull pontoon boat makes for a stable platform for viewing. It is also an enjoyable option for those who suffer from motion sickness. The Skimmer is partially handicapped accessible. Call to ask for more information if you or someone in your party requires special assistance.
Spend happy hour on the water. Tiny Cruise Line offers the happiest one-and-a-half hour aboard their tiki boats. Guests are permitted to bring beer and wine aboard to enjoy during their cruise. Tiny Cruise Line also offers cruises for fun special occasions and can dock at local waterfront bars as part of your trip.
Sunsets are even more beautiful from the water. Make sure to bring your camera for a lighthouse, dolphin, and wine tour aboard Cape May Whale Watcher. The three-hour tour features three wine tastings from a local vineyard, cheese and fruit hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and the prettiest views in Cape May.
Feed your need for speed on a speedboat tour. East Coast Water Sports can bring up to 23 passengers on their thrilling 60-minute rides. Get ready to get wet as the captain maneuvers the boat with spins and bow dunks. You will slow down to see some scenery and animals along the way, but this trip is really about the speed.
Explore on your own in a rental boat. Miss Chris has 24-foot pontoon boats available for four and eight-hour rentals. Go fishing or crabbing or just enjoy the sights. Bring a group if you want; the boats can hold up to ten people.
You might not be on the boat but there is a boat involved in parasailing. Get a whole new perspective on the water with East Coast Water Sports or Atlantic Parasail.
Get some exercise on the water. Exercise is so much more fun when it is done in a beautiful location:
Want to work off your drink while you are drinking it? Try one of the pontoon, peddle boat tours with Jersey Shore Cruises. As their website says “It’s like a bicycle bar and a tiki boat had a baby.” While the boat does have a motor, most of the fun is seeing how fast a group of ten people can make the boat move by pedaling. Riders are welcome to bring beer, wine, and seltzers to enjoy on board.
Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Miss Chris. Both are available for hourly rental and come with a life jacket. Reserve a two-person kayak to share the exercise (or just let one person do all the work). The stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are stable and perfect for first-timers. Prefer going on a guided tour? Miss Chris has morning and sunset two-hour guided kayak tours in the calm waters of Cape Island Creek. It is a great way to get great views of ospreys and other sea life.
It may seem like the jet ski is doing all the work but you do get a little ab workout on a jet ski. East Coast Water Sports has jet ski and waverunner rentals. Life guard escorts will be with you the whole time for safety.
Catch your own dinner from a boat. The location of Cape May provides for two prime fishing areas: the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay. Cape May is one of the two ports used for The MidAtlantic fishing tournament each yet (Ocean City, MD is the other port). Points and prizes are awarded for the heaviest white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), and wahoo. You do not need to enter a contest to go deep sea fishing to catch the freshest possible dinner for yourself. Venture out on a boat from South Jersey Marina or The Starlight Fleet to try your hand with a rod and reel.
Swim all year long in an indoor pool.
Wilbraham Mansion is the only bed and breakfast in Cape May with an indoor, heated swimming pool. It is the perfect way to enjoy the water without sand on your feet, on your towel, and in your bags. It can also be fun when you visit Cape May during the cool months. Walk out to see the beach then return to the inn for an indoor summer experience. You must be a guest at the inn to use our pool so be sure to book your stay now.
