Sunset Beach, Cape May, New Jersey

Sunset Beach is named for its location at the end of Sunset Blvd, which is at the southernmost point of Cape May, NJ. This beach is known for its fabulous sunsets, which visitors get to see the sunset with a 100% unobstructed horizon line. Due to the atmospheric conditions caused by the interaction of sea breezes across the bay, the sunsets here are the most beautiful in color you will ever see.

“Cape May Diamonds”, as they are called, are pure quartz crystals, thrown by tides to appear as pebbles on the beach. Quartz is the most common of minerals, coming in a variety of colors. The source of these “Cape May Diamonds” is the upper Delaware River, some two hundred miles upstream, where for thousands of years the swift waters have eroded away pockets and veins of quartz crystal. The journey from the river to the ocean takes thousands of years to complete. Once they reach the mouth of the Delaware Bay, which is seventeen miles across, they are propelled swiftly. This is because the belly of the bay is twenty-six miles across, causing a strong flow on both the outgoing and incoming tides. This strong flow comes across the sides of the concrete ship called the “Atlantus”, which swirls the quartz pebbles ashore, along with other material including fossil sharks teeth and Indian arrowheads.

Sunset Beach is also known for the sunken ship “Atlantus”, which is seen off the shoreline. This 3,000-ton, 250-foot long freighter was going to be used as a Ferry service from Cape May New Jersey to Lewes, Delaware. While awaiting positioning for this service, the “Atlantus” broke loose from her moorings during a storm on June 8th, 1926 and went aground. Several attempts were made to free the “Atlantus”, but none prevailed.

Thousands of visitors come annually to view the cracked, weather beaten ship and collect the beautiful “Cape May Diamonds” that lie in abundance on Sunset Beach in Historic Cape May Point, New Jersey. The sunsets are something everyone will want to experience. This area also offers free parking and a beach grill with a variety of food. Bring the family for some fun and sun to Sunset Beach located at the southernmost point of New Jersey in friendly Cap May.