Jersey Cape Lighthouses
CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE, Cape May Point: The third documented lighthouse at Cape May Point dates to 1859 and lights the entrance where the ocean meets the bay. Earlier lighthouses – the first built in 1823 and the second in 1847 – were lost to erosion and the encroaching ocean. It is 157 feet tall with 199 steps; the Oil House at ground level houses a visitor center and a museum shop. 800-275-4278; www.capemaymac.org
HEREFORD INLET LIGHTHOUSE, North Wildwood: The Victorian-style building at First and Central avenues in North Wildwood, has five fireplaces and is furnished with antiques. It has a functioning light and is surrounded by lovely gardens. Back in 1874, John Marche was the first lighthouse keeper but after only three months in his post he drowned when his boat capsized while returning from the mainland. 609-522-4520; www.herefordinletlighthouse.com
THE OCEAN CITY LIFE SAVING STATION, Ocean City: Dating from 1886, it was one of 45 stations along the New Jersey coast before the modern-day Coast Guard was formed in 1915. Architecturally, the station is the only surviving example of the four 1882-Type stations built in New Jersey, and one of six surviving buildings of this type built between 1882 and 1891. Both the Tatham and Ocean City Life Saving Stations are listed on The National Register of Historic Places and are part of the annual Lighthouse Challenge Weekend.
TATHAM’S LIFE SAVING STATION, Stone Harbor: built in 1895, it is the oldest building in Stone Harbor and has been in continuous service to the county as an american legion post and a museum, honoring the history of the lifesaving service, the United States Coast Guard and the military.
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SPECIAL LIGHTHOUSE EVENTS
NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY: August 7, 2026: Celebrate National Lighthouse Day at the Cape May Lighthouse at the base of the lighthouse. 609-884-5404; 800-275-4278; www.capemaymac.org
DELAWARE BAY LIGHTHOUSE CRUISES: Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruises: The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities sponsors several lighthouse cruises during the summer to view and photograph historic lighthouses of the late 19th and the early part of the 20th centuries. 609-884-5404; 800-275-4278; www.capemaymac.org
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE WEEKEND: New Jersey lighthouses, museums, and lifesaving stations host a "Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey” Oct. 17-18, 2026 when the public is invited (and challenged!) to visit all participating lighthouses and help raise funds for continued lighthouse preservation. Hours of operation for each participating lighthouse are on the lighthouse and museum websites, and at www.lighthousechallengenj.com
HEREFORD INLET LIGHTHOUSE, North Wildwood: The Victorian-style building at First and Central avenues in North Wildwood, has five fireplaces and is furnished with antiques. It has a functioning light and is surrounded by lovely gardens. Back in 1874, John Marche was the first lighthouse keeper but after only three months in his post he drowned when his boat capsized while returning from the mainland. 609-522-4520; www.herefordinletlighthouse.com
THE OCEAN CITY LIFE SAVING STATION, Ocean City: Dating from 1886, it was one of 45 stations along the New Jersey coast before the modern-day Coast Guard was formed in 1915. Architecturally, the station is the only surviving example of the four 1882-Type stations built in New Jersey, and one of six surviving buildings of this type built between 1882 and 1891. Both the Tatham and Ocean City Life Saving Stations are listed on The National Register of Historic Places and are part of the annual Lighthouse Challenge Weekend.
TATHAM’S LIFE SAVING STATION, Stone Harbor: built in 1895, it is the oldest building in Stone Harbor and has been in continuous service to the county as an american legion post and a museum, honoring the history of the lifesaving service, the United States Coast Guard and the military.
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SPECIAL LIGHTHOUSE EVENTS
NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY: August 7, 2026: Celebrate National Lighthouse Day at the Cape May Lighthouse at the base of the lighthouse. 609-884-5404; 800-275-4278; www.capemaymac.org
DELAWARE BAY LIGHTHOUSE CRUISES: Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruises: The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities sponsors several lighthouse cruises during the summer to view and photograph historic lighthouses of the late 19th and the early part of the 20th centuries. 609-884-5404; 800-275-4278; www.capemaymac.org
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE WEEKEND: New Jersey lighthouses, museums, and lifesaving stations host a "Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey” Oct. 17-18, 2026 when the public is invited (and challenged!) to visit all participating lighthouses and help raise funds for continued lighthouse preservation. Hours of operation for each participating lighthouse are on the lighthouse and museum websites, and at www.lighthousechallengenj.com
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Cape May County
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800-227-2297
Interested in advertising with us?
Find out why advertising in the Vacationer is so different from your other choices.
Rate Card here
Contact our sales staff here