The Beaches: Calm, Scenic, and Secretly Spectacular

Cape May Point's beaches are among the most serene in the region. You'll often spot dolphins offshore, seabirds wheeling overhead, and if you look down? You might find a few Cape May diamonds glittering in the sand.

You certainly won't find any snack bars or arcade noise just gentle, rolling surf, soft sand, and the occasional osprey overhead.

The crowds are thinner. The tide is mellower. And the experience? Unmatched.

Pearl Avenue: The Entrance We Love Most

Our favorite beach access is at Pearl Avenue. You'll wind through a tunnel of pines before the view opens to a breathtaking sweep of coast. It's the kind of reveal that makes you pause quiet forest behind you, wide Atlantic ahead.

This beach is perfect for a mid-morning swim, a sun-soaked afternoon, or a golden-hour dip before dinner. The surf here often brings just the right kind of rolling waves fun for swimmers and tranquil enough for those just wading in.

For Our Beach Plum Farm Guests

If you're staying at the farm, getting here is effortless. Cottage guests receive Cape May Point beach tags, chairs, and a golf cart to get there in minutes. Just toss on your hat and go-it's that easy.

Park downtown? Not today.

Sunset Beach: Cape May's Golden-Hour Legend

A short ride from Pearl Avenue, Sunset Beach is the go-to destination for watching the day come to a close. Here, the sun sinks straight into the Delaware Bay, painting the sky in hues of fire and lavender. During Saturday evenings in summer, visitors gather for the flag-lowering ceremony, accompanied by the playing of Taps, a solemn and beautiful tradition.

While you're there, browse the small shops for local treasures, or walk the shoreline for Cape May diamonds and bits of sea-polished glass.

Echoes of War at Cape May Point

At the western edge of Cape May Point, you'll find two distinct wartime relics from two different wars.

Offshore, the crumbling hull of the SS Atlantus emerges from the bay a concrete ship built during a steel shortage during World War I and later stranded during a storm in 1926. While not constructed in time to see active duty, the Atlantus made at least two trips to France to retrieve stranded servicemen after the war. As steel became available again, concrete ships were quickly deemed obsolete. Stripped for parts and moored off Sunset Beach for a failed ferry dock project, the Atlantus broke free during a summer storm in 1926 and ran aground on a sandbar, where it still rests today, a rusting monument to the passage of time and forgotten ambition.

A short walk inland stands Fire Control Tower No. 23, the last World War II lookout tower in New Jersey still intact. Built in 1942 as part of the Delaware Bay defense system known as Fort Miles, it helped to spot and coordinate artillery against enemy ships during the war. Now restored and open to visitors, the tower offers sweeping views and a somber reminder of Cape May's role in defending the coast.

Cape May Lighthouse: History With a View

A visit to Cape May Point isn't complete without climbing the Cape May Lighthouse. Climb 199 steps and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Point, the marshes, and the Atlantic beyond. The lighthouse, built in 1859, is one of the most iconic structures in the area, and still active today. If you're up for the climb, the view at the top is more than worth it.

At the base, stop into the Visitor Center and Lighthouse Museum Shop, or take a walk into Cape May Point State Park, a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

Cape May Point Arts and Science Center: From Convent to Coastal Hub

Overlooking the dunes sits a striking Victorian building that many longtime visitors remember as St. Mary by the Sea the historic summer retreat house that once served generations of religious sisters and spiritual seekers. In recent years, this space has been reborn as the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, a gathering place for curiosity, education, and coastal conservation.

Inside, you'll find exhibits on marine life, climate science, and local ecology, plus programs for children and adults alike. It's a place to connect more deeply with the environment and the arts, and a thoughtful stop after a morning on the beach or a walk through the state park.

Cape May Point State Park: Great for Birding and Nature Trails

Cape May Point State Park is a sanctuary for wildlife and those who come to witness it. The 244-acre park is best known for its birdwatching especially during the fall raptor migration the park draws birders from around the world to its Hawkwatch Platform, where thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles pass overhead each autumn.

Beyond birding, the park offers peaceful trails that wind through a variety of coastal landscapes. You can stroll past ponds, dunes, marshes, and shaded woodlands on paths that range from a half-mile to two miles long. For an easy, accessible option, the Red Trail is a raised boardwalk that stretches half a mile over wetlands and open fields-fully wheelchair-friendly and ideal for a leisurely walk.

Why We Keep Coming Back

Cape May Point isn't trying to impress you with flash or fanfare. It's subtle, grounding, and wildly beautiful. It's the hush of the pines before the beach comes into view. It's dolphins at breakfast, diamonds in the sand, and a sunset that makes you forget your phone entirely.

It's a side of Cape May that invites you to slow down, breathe in, and stay present.

Next time you visit, head west. We'll be waiting at the Point.