Lewes Ferry
Facts About the Ferry
Crossing Distance: 17 miles
Crossing Time: 70 minutes
Length: 320'0"
Breadth: 68'0"
Depth: 17'0"
Draft: 7'0" (max.)
Displacement: 2100 tons+
Capacity: 1000 passengers,
100 cars
Main Engines: 2 Diesel, 4000 HP
Top Speed: 16 knots
The ferry was constructed with transportation as its main goal. The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) began to recognize its potential as a tourist attraction. While the ferry continues to provide a way of transportation between Delaware and New Jersey, the ferry experience has began to draw in tourists.
The ferry fleet was overhauled during the 1990s. The ferry includes buffet restaurants, bars, and lounges on board which is intended to promote the ride as a draw in itself. The DRBA operates a shuttle service on both sides of the bay, which gives foot passengers both a ride on the ferry and round-trip transportation from the terminals into Cape May and Lewes for one combined rate. The DRBA has partnered with local merchants to give discounts to passengers, and it even allows passengers to purchase a round-trip ticket.
In addition to these promotions, the ferry also offers a special excursions. A popular, but expensive, excursion includes the annual fireworks cruise, in which passengers board the vessel and sail into the bay to watch a 4th of July fireworks show sponsored. The cruise features entertainment on the car deck and a catered meal.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry, operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), consists of five ferry vessels and two terminal facilities. Its operations are based at its Cape May terminal, which is actually located in North Cape May, on the north shore of the Cape May Canal.
The five vessels in the fleet carry both automobiles (passenger cars, buses, RVs, tractor trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles are all common) and foot passengers. It has a capacity of about 100 cars, and individual ferry trips sell out in advance during the popular summer weekends. Advance reservations are accepted.
The ferry trip takes approximately 90 minutes and provides a view of three lighthouses: the Cape May Lighthouse in New Jersey and two lighthouses on a breakwater off Cape Henlopen, adjacent to Lewes.
The ferry's terminal buildings were substantially overhauled in 2000-2001. Cape May received a brand-new terminal to replace the existing structure, built in 1988. The Lewes terminal, also built in 1988, was expanded and renovated at the same time. Both terminals now feature unique, recongizable "towers," which contain elevators and staircases connecting the terminal buildings to glass-enclosed walkways. The walkways allow foot passengers to board the vessel directly on the second deck, avoiding automobiles driving onto the car deck below.
The terminal buildings feature gift shops, food courts, bars, restaurants, ticketing and information booths, and occasional history or art exhibits.