Cape May County · Cape May Point Borough · All-in-One Community Guide
Cape May Point, New Jersey
Cape May Point is a tiny, quiet residential borough at the southern end of the Cape May Peninsula, where municipal beaches, Lake Lily, wildlife gardens and tree-lined streets meet one of North America's great migration corridors. It is a place shaped more by nature, walking, birding and the shoreline than by commercial development.
This NJTGO flagship guide keeps the community in one complete page. It also clearly separates places inside Cape May Point Borough from major attractions immediately beside it—including Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Lighthouse, which are outside the Borough boundary.
Cape May Point at a Glance
Small & Residentiala compact seaside borough without a conventional commercial district
Atlantic Flywayinternationally known spring and fall bird and butterfly migration corridor
2026 Beach Seasonmunicipal lifeguard season currently scheduled June 20 through September 7
Nature FirstLake Lily, pollinator gardens, beaches and neighboring state-park habitat define the community
Know the boundary: Cape May Point Borough's municipal beaches run from the State Park/Lighthouse Avenue area through the Alexander Avenue jetty. The Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point State Park and Sunset Beach are commonly described as “Cape May Point” attractions, but the Borough's own map identifies the lighthouse and Sunset Beach as outside the municipality in Lower Township. NJTGO treats them as immediately adjacent attractions rather than Borough properties.
What Makes Cape May Point Different?
Residential CharacterThe Borough zoning map is organized around residential, public-ground and beach zones rather than a conventional commercial district. That helps preserve the quiet, low-key character of the Point.
Walk & Bike ScaleQuiet streets, a compact street grid and close spacing between Lake Lily, Pavilion Circle, the beaches and nature destinations make walking and bicycling a natural way to experience the community.
Wildlife MigrationCape May Point sits along the Atlantic Flyway. Birds, raptors, dragonflies and monarch butterflies concentrate here during migration, drawing nature watchers from around the world.
Seasonal RhythmSummer brings beachgoers and seasonal residents; spring and fall bring major migration activity; winter returns the Borough to an especially quiet residential pace.
Cape May Point Municipal Beaches
The Borough maintains a string of ocean and bay-facing beach access points. Conditions can change quickly where the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay meet, so swimming is permitted only at protected beaches when lifeguards are on duty.
Municipal AccessAlexander BeachAt the western end of the Borough's municipal beach line near the Alexander Avenue jetty.
Municipal AccessBrainard BeachNeighborhood beach access serving the western side of the Point.
Municipal AccessPearl BeachOcean/bay beach access reached from Pearl Avenue.
Municipal AccessSurf BeachOne of the central municipal beach areas shown on the Borough beach map.
Municipal AccessSt. Pete's BeachCentral beach area used for Borough beach activities and lifeguard events.
Municipal AccessCoral BeachBeach access near Coral Avenue; protection can depend on current staffing and surf conditions.
Municipal AccessWhilldin BeachEastern-side Borough beach access near the state-park end of the community.
Municipal AccessLehigh BeachMunicipal beach access near the eastern end of the Borough beach system.
2026 Beach Tags
- Daily: $10
- Weekly (Saturday-Saturday): $25
- Seasonal: $50
- Children under 12: no tag required
- Active-duty military and veterans: free tags are available under the Borough program with required identification.
2026 Guarded Season
- Beach Patrol currently lists guarded operations from June 20 through September 7, 2026.
- Swim only at a beach with an occupied lifeguard stand and within the designated swimming area.
- Which beaches are protected can change with staffing, surf, erosion and safety conditions.
- Cape May Point tags are valid only on Cape May Point municipal beaches.
Beach safety: Do not assume every beach entrance is a swimming beach on a given day. Conditions at the Point can be strong and change rapidly. Follow Beach Patrol flags and instructions and use only a currently protected swimming area.
Rental-property owners: the Borough requires commercial beach tags when tags are supplied as an amenity with a rental accommodation. Regular seasonal tags are not valid for that rental purpose. Verify the current rental and beach-tag rules before each season.
Nature, Birding & Environmental Life
Cape May Point's natural environment is not a side attraction—it is central to the Borough's identity. The Borough Environmental Commission specifically highlights its trees, wildlife-friendly gardens, beaches, Lake Lily and role as a major rest stop for migrating birds and butterflies.
Lake & HabitatLake LilyA defining freshwater feature at the center of the Point's birding landscape and community conservation work. The Borough's Lake Lily Trust supports water quality, shoreline vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Pollinator GardenTriangle ParkSmall public garden at Coral, Lighthouse and Oxford Avenues designed for butterflies, birds and pollinators. Borough nature materials note that dozens of butterfly species have been identified here.
Community GreenPavilion CircleLongstanding social and recreation center of the Borough, with a landscaped public green used for community activity, informal recreation and events.
Birding CenterCape May Bird Observatory · Northwood Center701 East Lake Drive · New Jersey Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory offers birding programs, migration information, a nature store and access to the Northwood area.
Arts · Science · NatureCape May Point Arts & Science Center101 Lehigh Avenue · nonprofit center offering tours, cultural programming, science and nature education, and a native pollinator garden.
MigrationMonarchs, Raptors & SongbirdsLate summer and fall are especially notable for monarch butterflies, hawks and other southbound migrants; spring brings another major movement of birds through the peninsula.
Nature etiquette: stay on established paths and dune crossings, protect native vegetation, keep distance from nesting or resting wildlife and use low-impact lighting at night. Cape May Point actively promotes native plants and wildlife-friendly practices.
Cape May Lighthouse & Cape May Point State Park — Immediately Adjacent
These are the signature attractions most visitors associate with Cape May Point, but they should not be represented as Borough-owned or Borough-located facilities. They are state-managed attractions beside the municipality.
State ParkCape May Point State ParkApproximately 244 acres of ponds, freshwater meadows, forest, dunes and beach habitat. The State currently lists no general entrance fee and highlights birding, hiking, picnicking, surf fishing and interpretation.
Historic LandmarkCape May LighthouseThe present lighthouse was built in 1859, rises about 157 feet and remains an active aid to navigation. A ticketed climb follows 199 steps to panoramic views.
Easy TrailDuck Pond TrailAbout 0.5 mile and accessible, with pond viewing platforms and opportunities to see waterfowl and other wildlife.
Nature LoopMonarch TrailAbout 1.2 miles through reforestation, freshwater marsh, coastal dune and beach environments.
Longer LoopPlover TrailAbout 1.5 miles, extending through pond, dune and beach habitats for a longer wildlife-viewing walk.
World War II HistoryBattery 223Coastal defense emplacement built during World War II. Shoreline change and erosion have left the bunker close to the water; climbing on the structure is prohibited.
State-park beach rule: the State Park is excellent for beach walking, wildlife observation and surf fishing, but swimming is not permitted in the State Park. Use Cape May Point's protected municipal beaches for guarded swimming.
From Stites Beach to Cape May Point
The community's history is unusually layered for such a small municipality. Borough planning material traces the settlement from a religious seaside resort to today's independent residential borough.
1875Sea Grove EraThe community was founded as a moral and religious seaside resort, after the area had been known as Stites Beach.
1878First IncorporationThe municipality was incorporated from portions of Lower Township on April 19, 1878, and the Cape May Point name came into municipal use.
1891ReincorporatedCape May Point was reincorporated in August 1891.
1896Returned to Lower TownshipThe municipality ceased independent government and returned to Lower Township.
1908Independent AgainAfter another local referendum, Cape May Point re-emerged as an independent municipality in April 1908.
TodayNature-Oriented BoroughThe Point remains a small residential Shore community whose beaches, gardens, migration habitat and historic setting give it an identity very different from larger resort towns.
Borough Government & Public Safety
| Borough Hall | 215 Lighthouse Avenue · P.O. Box 490 · Cape May Point, NJ 08212 · 609-884-8468 |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Anita vanHeeswyk · Commissioner of Revenue & Finance |
| Deputy Mayor | Elise Geiger · Commissioner of Public Safety & Public Affairs |
| Commissioner | Suzanne Yunghans · Commissioner of Public Works, Parks & Public Property |
| Municipal Clerk | Elaine L. Wallace, RMC, CMR · 609-884-8468 ext. 12 |
| Police Service | Cape May City Police provides police services to Cape May Point through a shared-services arrangement. Emergency: 911 · Non-emergency: 609-884-9500. |
| Emergency Management | Cape May Point Office of Emergency Management · 609-884-1454 |
Office-hours reminder: Borough Hall and individual departments maintain their own schedules, and access procedures can change. Check the Borough website before making a special trip.
Schools & Education
Cape May Point maintains a sending school district rather than operating its own school buildings. Students attend neighboring districts on a tuition basis.
Pre-K through Grade 6Cape May City Elementary School serves Cape May Point students in the elementary grades under the sending arrangement.
Grades 7-12Students attend the Lower Cape May Regional School District for middle- and high-school grades.
No Borough School CampusThe Cape May Point School District operates as a sending district and does not maintain its own school facility.
Living, Renting & Visiting Cape May Point
Dining & ShoppingCape May Point has no conventional commercial district. Most restaurant, grocery, retail and everyday-service trips lead into nearby Cape May, West Cape May or Lower Township.
Vacation RentalsPrivate seasonal rentals are part of the community, but Borough rental permits and annual rental fire inspections apply. Confirm current requirements before advertising or occupying a rental property.
Real EstateThe housing stock is overwhelmingly residential and strongly influenced by Shore-season demand, flood considerations, environmental rules and the Borough's small supply of properties.
Walking & BicyclingThe Point is compact and well suited to short local trips on foot or bicycle, but many streets have limited or no sidewalks. Share the road carefully and obey seasonal traffic controls.
ParkingParking conditions vary by street, beach access and season. Follow posted signs and avoid blocking dune access, emergency routes, driveways or intersections.
Storm & Flood AwarenessAt the exposed end of the peninsula, coastal storms, flooding and evacuation conditions matter. Visitors and property owners should follow Borough emergency alerts and official instructions.
Nearby Essentials & Destinations
Cape May CityImmediate access to a larger restaurant and shopping district, Victorian historic attractions, lodging, municipal services and the shared police department.
West Cape MaySmall neighboring borough with local dining, shops and easy access between Cape May Point and central Cape May.
Lower TownshipSurrounds much of the Point area and includes major nearby destinations and services, including the land associated with the lighthouse/state-park area.
Sunset BeachPopular Delaware Bay sunset destination commonly associated with Cape May Point but located outside the Borough.
South Cape May MeadowsImportant nearby nature preserve and birding habitat between Cape May Point and Cape May City.
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management AreaMajor regional birding and natural-area destination north of the Point, especially important during migration.
Official & Nonprofit Resources
Borough of Cape May PointOfficial municipal government, departments, notices, meetings and community information.
Cape May Point Beach TagsCurrent beach-tag dates, rates, purchasing information and military/veteran program.
Cape May Point Beach PatrolCurrent guarded-season information, beach safety and lifeguard programs.
Cape May Point EnvironmentBorough environmental information, Lake Lily, gardens, native plants, wildlife and conservation.
Cape May Point State ParkNJDEP park hours, trails, maps, recreation, access and current restrictions.
Cape May LighthouseCurrent climb information, operating calendar and lighthouse programs from Cape May MAC.
Cape May Bird ObservatoryNew Jersey Audubon migration watches, programs, birding information and Northwood Center.
Cape May Point Arts & Science CenterNonprofit arts, science, history and nature programs at 101 Lehigh Avenue.
Cape May CountyCounty visitor overview and regional information for Cape May Point.
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Reach Cape May Point Residents & Visitors
Cape May Point is small, but its beaches, bird migration, lighthouse traffic and seasonal population give the community an audience far larger than its year-round size. Local and nearby businesses can contact NJTGO about appropriate enhanced placement on this flagship page.
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