hidden element

Carroll Villa Hotel

Carroll Villa Hotel Navigation Menu

Check Rates

BEST RATE GUARANTEED

Reservations

BOOK DIRECT
BENEFITS AND FEATURES

  • Lowest Rate Guaranteed
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Private Baths
  • Beach Umbrellas and Beach Chairs
  • Beach Access
  • Dining Vouchers
  • Exclusive Specials
X
Cape May beach at sunset with lighthouse in background

Fun in the Sun: Our Guide to the Beaches of Cape May NJ

Time and again, Cape May beaches are ranked among the top ten in the US and top 25 in the world. Yes, TripAdvisor ranked Cape May beaches as one of the best IN THE WORLD. With that in mind, here is our guide to the beaches of Cape May, NJ. Because we know that no two beaches are the same, you will want to know which beach fits your personality.

Spending the day on the beach is the ultimate in fun and relaxation. For many of our guests, coming to Cape May is a bucket list trip! As the tides ebb and flow, the scenery changes all day long. Build sandcastles in the sand, jump in the surf, and catch up with friends and family. You’ll see folks swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, and more. In addition, the ocean beaches are lifeguard-protected and are open daily during daytime hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Those who know Cape May know that it’s not just beaches–there is also historic architecture, world-class restaurants, and year-round festivals. But the beaches are the pristine jewels, particularly during the summer months.

A Little Geography

To understand the peculiarities of each beach, you need to know where it is situated. Cape May is a hoof-shaped peninsula of land resting at the southern tip of New Jersey. The western edge faces Delaware Bay, while Cape May City faces the Atlantic Ocean on the southeastern side. The Cape May Canal cuts off the mainland from the island on the northern side. The canal was built during World War 2 by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the area from German U-Boats. Let’s start on the bay side and work our way around.

Higbee Wildlife Management Area

The state of New Jersey owns Higbee Wildlife Management Area, which represents over 1,000 acres of dunes, scrubland, salt marsh, and beachfront. National Geographic Magazine has named it one of the top ten birding destinations in the world. This is a beach for walking, not swimming (there are no lifeguards and lots of former industry partially buried). There are no amenities, and don’t be surprised if you run into some people bathing au naturel (although it is technically illegal). But it is quiet and usually not crowded.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach adjoins Higbee and is best known for spectacular sunsets and Cape May diamonds. What are they? Small pieces of quartz crystal that can be polished to look like a diamond. You can park for free, fly a kite, take photos, and look at the remains of the SS Atlantus, an experimental concrete ship resting offshore.

Cape May Point

As we hit the point and cross over to the Atlantic side, the beaches from here on will require beach tags during the season (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day). This small residential area has a beach for walking and sunbathing, but NOT swimming. It is quiet and flat, and family-friendly.

Cape May Point State Park

Cape May Point State Park is the home of the iconic Cape May lighthouse. There are nature programs, bird-watching, more Cape May diamonds, and fishing. The Park was once a military base, so there are the remains of a gun battery.

City of Cape May Beaches

The City of Cape May Beaches are the beaches that are more typical of the Jersey Shore. Expect skimpy bathing attire, plenty of bars nearby, shopping, and restaurants. Each beach’s shape and slope change from year to year due to erosion and wind, but some nuances may only matter to locals and beach aficionados.

Beach Tags

These beaches require beach tags; go to the city website for details about getting your tag, guard schedules, fees, and ordinances.  If you stay with us at the Carroll Villa Hotel, we provide towels and beach tags (during the summer season) for Steger’s Beach.

The Cove

The Cove Beach is known as the King of Cape May Beaches. It has a gentle slope and soft sand. The landscape changes from year to year, showcasing tidepools and buried jetties. It is open to surfers all day.

Broadway Beach

Broadway Beach is wide, even at high tide. This is the beginning of where the locals (particularly younger folks) hang out. You may see dolphins playing out on the ocean. It is well-patrolled by lifeguards. The one negative is limited parking. Surfing here is only permitted before and after lifeguard hours.

Grant Street, Windsor, and Congress Street

Grant Street is the home to Cape May Beach Patrol Headquarters. Windsor is a favorite neighborhood beach. Congress is the home of Congress Hall. If you are staying there, expect personalized towel and beach chair service. Surfing is only permitted when lifeguards are not on duty.

Steger’s Beach

Steger’s has Victorian-style beach cabanas for rent, as well as chairs, umbrellas, and surfboards. Surfing, however, is only permitted before and after lifeguards are on duty.

Poverty Beach

Poverty Beach has a long history; supposedly, it was the beach where the “help” mingled. It now has showers and other amenities. Surfing here is for experts only.

What Follows a Day at the Beach

Our guide to the beaches of Cape May, NJ, has shown you that the beaches here are home to shorebirds, sand crabs, and the best sunrises and sunsets around. Time spent here will bring memories to last a lifetime. After a day at the beach, spend some time shopping at Washington Street Mall or exploring all of the unique Victorian architecture all around town.

Located just minutes from the beach with spacious suites and luxurious amenities, our hotel is a winning choice for accommodations in Cape May, NJ. The beach is a top destination for visitors looking for what the Jersey Shore is famous for — the surf, the sand — you just can’t beat it! It is not too late to reserve a suite at our hotel for an amazing summer getaway. Book direct online for best rates or contact us at any time for assistance or questions.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Call for Assistance
(609) 884-9619
Call Business Icon

Call

Rooms button Icon

Rooms

Direstions Map Icon

Map

Photo Gallery Icon

Gallery

RESERVE Opens Availability Calendar Window

close X
Find My Room

Special Features

Seating Area
Private Porch
Quiet Location
Ocean Views
Downtown Views
See Results Below

Premier King

Large bedroom with gray wooden sleigh bed, white bedding, gray upholstered chair, and dark wooden dresser

Premier King – Room 4

Large bedroom with antiqued headboard, white bedding, sitting area with tan upholstered chairs, and antiqued wooden dresser

Premier Two Room Suite – Room 6

Bedroom with dark wooden ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and ornate wallpaper

Premier King – Room 13

Bedroom with antiqued headboard, white bedding, sitting area with tan upholstered chairs, hardwood flooring, and ornate wallpaper

Premier King – Room 20

Bedroom with dark wooden headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, gray dresser, and modern wallpaper

Premier King – Room 21

Bedroom with large gray headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, yellow and black pillows, and vase full of pink flowers

Premier Two Room Suite – Room 28

Deluxe King

Bedroom with light wooden ornate headboard, matching footboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and mirror

Deluxe King with Twin – Room 31

Large bedroom with gray wooden ornate headboard, matching dresser with marble top and mirror, white bedding, hardwood flooring, and brocade wallpaper

Deluxe King with Trundle – Room 34

King

Large bedroom with ornate antique headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, sitting area with upholstered chairs, and antique dresser with mirror

King – Room 8

Bedroom with large gray headboard, white bedding, yellow pillows, hardwood flooring, gray walls, and gray dresser with marble top and mirror

King – Room 9

Bedroom with large ornate seafoam headboard, matching dresser with mirror, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and light brocade wallpaper

King – Room 11

Bedroom with light-colored wooden headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, sitting area with upholstered chair, and large mirror

King – Room 14

Bedroom with large light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, and sitting area with upholstered chair

King – Room 16

Bedroom with dark wooden ornate headboard, matching dresser with mirror, cream-colored bedding, and dark wooden nightstand

King – Room 19

Queen

Bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, brocade blue wallpaper, and sitting area with white slipcovered chairs

Queen – Room 1

Large bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, blue blanket, dark wooden dresser, and sitting area with upholstered chairs

Queen – Room 18

Bedroom with gray wooden headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, light gray patterned wallpaper, small upholstered chair, and mirror on the wall

Queen – Room 23

Bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and light gray walls

Queen – Room 25

Bedroom with large dark wooden ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, light-tan and modern wallpaper, and wooden nightstands

Queen – Room 26

close X
Find My Room