Cape May Point Beach occupies the southwestern tip of New Jersey, within Cape May Point State Park, a 235-acre reserve at the literal corner of the state where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is narrow and wild in character, flanked by low dunes and backed by the park's maritime shrub forest, with the distinctive red-and-white striped Cape May Lighthouse — built in 1859 and still operational — rising above the tree line behind it. The sand is pale and fine at the upper beach, transitioning near the waterline to coarser gravel and the small translucent quartz pebbles known as Cape May diamonds, polished smooth by Delaware River flow and deposited along this shore for centuries. The surf is calm to moderate and can be noticeably cooler and somewhat murky when Delaware Bay water mixes into the ocean near the point, especially in spring and after storms. Unlike Cape May Beach a short distance east, Cape May Point charges no beach badge fee, as it falls within the New Jersey state park system. The park is open year-round. The Cape May Lighthouse is climbable for $10 per person and provides panoramic views over the point, the bay, and the open Atlantic. Two remnant World War II concrete military bunkers, now partially collapsed into the surf, are visible from the beach and are popular photographic subjects. A hawk-watching platform at the park entrance is internationally recognised as one of the premier raptor migration observation sites on the East Coast, with peak counts of tens of thousands of birds in September and October. The park also marks a major monarch butterfly migration corridor; spectacular congregations of monarchs can occur on warm September mornings in the beach vegetation.
Amenities
- no beach badge required (state park)
- restrooms
- lighthouse (climb $10)
- nature trails
- hawk-watch platform
- WWII bunker ruins
- limited parking
Good to know
- Best for
- wildlife-watchers, photographers, beachcombers, couples, solo
Location
Cape May Point State Park, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
38.9296, -74.9602 View on map
Highlights
- Free beach within Cape May Point State Park — no badge required — at the southernmost tip of New Jersey where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic
- Cape May Lighthouse (1859) is climbable for $10 with panoramic views over the bay, ocean, and Cape May Point on clear days
- Cape May diamonds — naturally polished quartz pebbles — can be collected along the shoreline near the high-tide line
- WWII concrete military bunker ruins at and near the waterline are distinctive photographic subjects unique to this beach
- Internationally recognised hawk-watch platform counting tens of thousands of migrating raptors each September and October
Tips for visiting
- Visit in early morning on a September or October day for the best chances of witnessing monarch butterfly clusters in the beach vegetation and raptor concentrations overhead
- Cape May diamonds are most visible just after a storm stirs up the beach gravel near the high-tide line — a small trowel or sand scoop helps with collection
- The free state park parking lot is small and fills quickly on summer weekends; arrive by 09:00 or use the Cape May Welcome Center and take the seasonal trolley ($7)
- The lighthouse climb ($10) is most rewarding in clear weather — on a good day visibility can extend to the Delaware shore across the bay
- Swimming is calmer and slightly warmer slightly east of the bunker ruins, away from colder upwellings near the point tip itself
When to visit
May through October for the most pleasant beach conditions. September and October are prime for hawk migration and monarch butterfly sightings. June through August offers warm enough swimming conditions, though the water at the point can be cooler than open Atlantic beaches further north due to bay-water mixing.
Accessibility
The main park entrance, visitor centre, and restroom facilities are accessible by paved road. The hawk-watch platform is reached via a paved path suitable for wheelchairs. The beach surface transitions from soft sand to gravel near the waterline, which is challenging for standard wheelchairs. The lighthouse climb involves 199 narrow spiral steps and is not accessible to those with limited mobility. Contact Cape May Point State Park in advance for information on adaptive access equipment.
Frequently asked questions
What are Cape May diamonds?
Cape May diamonds are not gemstones but naturally polished quartz pebbles carried downstream by the Delaware River and tumbled smooth by wave action before washing up on Cape May Point Beach. They range from grape-seed to small grape size and are translucent to white. Visitors may collect them for personal use from the beach.
Is Cape May Point Beach free?
Yes. Cape May Point is part of the New Jersey State Park system and charges no beach badge fee. The only paid attraction within the park is the Cape May Lighthouse ($10 per adult to climb). Parking in the state park lot is free.
What is the best time to visit for birdwatching?
The hawk-watch platform at Cape May Point State Park is most active from September through November, when broad-winged hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, peregrine falcons, and ospreys concentrate at the point before crossing Delaware Bay. Spring shorebird and warbler migration in April and May is also exceptional.
Can visitors access the WWII bunker ruins?
The concrete bunker ruins on and near the beach are accessible from the outside and can be walked around and photographed. They are not formally maintained structures — caution is advised around unstable concrete edges. Some bunkers have eroded into the surf zone and are partially submerged at high tide.
How do visitors get to Cape May Point from Cape May town?
Cape May Point is approximately 3 km west of Cape May Beach, a 10-minute drive or a 40-minute walk or cycle. A seasonal trolley service from the Cape May Welcome Center stops at the state park and costs approximately $7 round-trip. Bicycle hire is available in Cape May town.