The Cape May-Lewes Ferry turns a Wildwood stay into a two-state trip. The terminal in North Cape May is a short drive from our hotels, the crossing takes about 85 minutes across the mouth of Delaware Bay, and you step off in Lewes, Delaware, a small, walkable harbor town with a state park next door. Here is how to do it as a day trip.
Ferry basics
| New Jersey terminal | 1200 Lincoln Blvd, North Cape May, NJ 08204 |
|---|---|
| Delaware terminal | 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958 |
| Crossing | About 85 minutes, 17 miles each way |
| Walk-on passengers | Welcome; reservations not required but recommended |
| Bikes | Free with a walk-on ticket |
| Dogs | Leashed or crated, on the outside decks |
| Fall 2026 note | A temporary fuel surcharge of $7 per one-way crossing applies from October 12 through December 31, 2026 |
Fares, the current sailing schedule and reservations are on cmlf.com. Sailing times change by season, so check the schedule for your date and book your return before you leave.
Car or walk on?
For a day trip, walking on is the simple option: park at the North Cape May terminal, ride over, and explore Lewes on foot or by bike. Bring a bike and it rides free, which makes the flat streets of Lewes and the trails at Cape Henlopen State Park easy to cover. Need a bike? Our Wildwood bike rentals guide lists shops near each of our hotels. Taking the car over makes sense if you want to continue to Rehoboth Beach or further south.
Arrive early. The ferry asks walk-on passengers and cyclists to be there at least 30 minutes before departure, and recommends 45.
A sample day
- Morning: leave your hotel in Wildwood and drive to the North Cape May terminal. Catch a morning sailing and spend the crossing on the outer deck.
- Midday: walk or ride into downtown Lewes for lunch and a look around the shops.
- Afternoon: Cape Henlopen State Park is on the same road as the ferry terminal: beaches, dunes and trails. Check the park’s own site for fall hours and fees.
- Evening: ride the ferry back for sunset over the bay and be in Wildwood for dinner.
Where to stay
All five Coastal Collection hotels are in Wildwood, about 8 miles from the ferry terminal as the crow flies, so plan on roughly 20 minutes by car. Sunset Beach Hotel at 4300 Ocean Ave is on the south side of town, the side closest to Cape May. Check Sunset Beach Hotel dates. Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is nearby. Check Coastal Sands Inn dates. From mid-October through April, Coastal Sands Inn is the one that is open; Beachside Resort, Sunrise Inn, Paradise Inn and Sunset Beach Hotel reopen in April. See all five on the hotels in Wildwood page, or our hotels near Cape May page if you want to see Cape May the same weekend.
More day trips from Wildwood
Staying on the New Jersey side? Try the Cape May Lighthouse, a Cape May County winery loop or whale and dolphin watching from Cape May.
Quick answers
How long is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry ride?
About 85 minutes each way, across 17 miles of Delaware Bay.
Can I take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as a walk-on passenger?
Yes. Reservations aren’t required for walk-on passengers but are recommended, and bikes ride free with a walk-on ticket. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
How far is the ferry from Wildwood?
The North Cape May terminal, 1200 Lincoln Blvd, is about 8 miles from our Wildwood hotels in a straight line, roughly a 20-minute drive.
