New Jersey may be known for sunrises over the Atlantic, but some of the best sunset spots in New Jersey sit at the state’s southern tip, where Cape May looks west across the Delaware Bay. Timing matters as much as location. A late-June sunset comes close to 8:30 PM, while an early-December one arrives before 4:40 PM. Whether you’re planning a beach evening, chasing a photo, or catching a ferry, this guide covers when the sun goes down each season, where to watch it near the best things to do in Cape May, and how to time your visit. Since 1964, the award-winning Cape May – Lewes Ferry has carried more than 50 million passengers across the Delaware Bay, and plenty of them have stayed out on deck for the sunset.
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Watch the Sunset From the Delaware Bay Aboard the Cape May - Lewes Ferry
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry During a Sunset
From our Cape May Terminal, the award-winning Cape May – Lewes Ferry trades the beach for 17 miles of open Delaware Bay, with nothing between you and the horizon. The 85-minute crossing comes with open-air decks, indoor lounges, and food and drinks on board, and with the right sailing you can watch the sun go down from the water in any season. No wonder the trip lands on so many Delaware Bay bucket lists and was voted the best place to watch the sunset by Bay to Bay News! Summer is our Sunset Season, so follow us on Instagram and sign up for our emails to catch the countdown.
Where you sit depends on two things: the time of year and the direction you’re heading.
Winter: Catch the 4:15 PM Sailing Home
From December through mid-February, winter sunsets fall between about 4:40 PM and 5:40 PM, low in the southwest. You won’t catch a sunset leaving Cape May this time of year, but a day trip to Lewes works. Sail over in the morning, spend the afternoon downtown, and take the 4:15 PM departure back. Step out onto the Lido Deck as the sun sets, then come in from the cold for hot drinks and snacks at the food court in the passenger salon. Once late February arrives, the 4:15 PM sailing docks before sunset, so head to one of our winter sunset spots on land instead.
Spring: Window Seats and Evening Sailings
In spring, the sun sets over the bay almost straight to the west. After the clocks spring forward in March, the 6:00 PM departure from Cape May can meet the sunset mid-bay through early April, so claim a window seat in the passenger salon. As the evenings stretch later, switch to a round trip: sail to Lewes, then catch the sunset from the Lido Deck on the evening ride home. The outdoor Lido Bar reopens in May, weather permitting.
Summer: Make It a Round Trip
Summer is the heart of Sunset Season, when the longest evenings of the year bring sunsets over open water. The sun goes down around 8:30 PM, setting low in the northwest. Our last summer departure from Cape May reaches Lewes at 7:25 PM, ahead of the sunset, so from June through mid-August, plan a round trip instead. Ride over at a window table in the passenger salon on the second deck and enjoy the evening light, then board the 7:45 PM sailing back to Cape May. On the way home, the Lido Deck on the third level is the place to be, with cocktails and live music at the outdoor Lido Bar. Watch the water as you cross, since dolphins often turn up along the route.
Fall: Sail Into the Sunset From Cape May
Fall is when a crossing from Cape May lines up best with the sunset. From mid-September through late October, the 6:00 PM departure heads out across the bay just as the sky starts to turn. Grab a window seat in the passenger salon, or pack a windbreaker and head outside. Fall air tends to be clearer and less hazy than summer’s, which often brings out deeper colors over the water.
Please note: once the clocks fall back on the first Sunday in November, none of our regularly scheduled Cape May departures sail at sunset. Check the winter and fall sections below for sunset spots on land.
Sunset Times in New Jersey, Season-by-Season
Sunset times in New Jersey swing widely through the year, from before 4:40 PM in December to nearly 8:30 PM in June. The table below shows approximate times at Cape May Point, the southern tip of the state, as of Fall 2026. North Jersey sunsets fall within about 10 minutes of these times, so the ranges work as a guide for the whole state. For an exact time on a specific date, use the NOAA Solar Calculator.
Season | Approx. Sunset Time in New Jersey | Hours of Daylight |
Winter (December 1 to February 28) | 4:40 PM to 5:50 PM (earliest, early December) | 9.5 hrs to 11 hrs |
Spring (March 1 to May 31) | 5:50 PM to 8:20 PM | 11.5 hrs to 13 hrs |
Summer (June 1 to August 31) | 8:30 PM (latest, late June) to 7:30 PM | 15 hrs to 13 hrs |
Fall (September 1 to November 30) | 7:30 PM to 4:40 PM | 13 hrs to 9.5 hrs |
Disclaimer: The data provided reflects approximate times as of the date of publication and may vary depending on your exact location and year.
Winter: Cozy Sunset Spots in New Jersey
Winter sunsets come early, so plan your evening around them. The Cape May sunset time hits its earliest point in early December, around 4:40 PM. By March, when the clocks spring forward, sunset jumps past 7 PM.
Warm Up at Stowaways in the Cape May Terminal
Stowaways at CMLF’s Cape May Terminal
1200 Lincoln Blvd, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
On a cold evening, catch the last light over the water and then head inside for dinner at Stowaways in our Cape May Terminal. The waterfront restaurant and cafe sit right next to the docks, so you can watch the ferry come in as the sky fades.
Douglass Park Jetty in North Cape May
Beach Dr, North Cape May, NJ 08204
Just down the road from our Cape May Terminal, the jetty at Douglass Park looks out where the Delaware Bay meets the Cape May Canal. To get there, pass the terminal entrance on Lincoln Boulevard, turn left onto Beach Drive at the T, and follow it into the park. Bring a warm jacket, since the wind off the bay can be sharp in January.
Spring: Longer Days Between Sunrise and Sunset in New Jersey
Spring is when the gap between sunrise and sunset in New Jersey grows fastest. Once the clocks spring forward in March, sunset lands after 7:00 PM, and by mid-May it comes after 8:00 PM. Longer evenings make spring a great time to ride the Cape May bike trails and finish at Sunset Beach. Crowds are lighter than in summer, so you’ll often have more room on the sand.
The Cove and Sunset Pavilion in Cape May
Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
Cape May’s nearly two-mile promenade along Beach Avenue ends at The Cove Restaurant & Seaside Deck, where the shoreline curves west toward Cape May Point. The covered Sunset Pavilion overlooks the beach, so you can walk or bike the promenade on a mild spring evening, then settle in as the sky changes color. It’s a local favorite for sunsets, and it stays quieter before the summer season gets going.
Summer: Where to Watch the Sunset in NJ on Long Evenings
Daylight stretches to its longest point in late June, with the sun finally dipping below the horizon around 8:30 PM. That leaves plenty of time for a beach day, dinner, and a slow walk to the water. Cape May faces west across the Delaware Bay, making it one of the few places in New Jersey where the sun sets over open water.
Sunset Beach, New Jersey at Cape May Point
500 Sunset Blvd., Cape May Point, NJ
Sunset Beach looks west across the Delaware Bay, so the sun drops right into the water. On summer evenings, the beach holds a flag-lowering ceremony at sunset that draws a crowd. Arrive early to grab a good spot on the sand.
Fall: Why Autumn Brings the Best Sunsets in New Jersey
Many of the best sunsets in New Jersey happen in the fall, and the reason is in the air itself. According to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, clean, clear air produces the most vivid sunset colors. Summer’s humid, stagnant air holds onto haze and dulls them. Once crisp fall weather clears that haze out, sunsets over the Delaware Bay tend to glow brighter, with richer reds and oranges.
Cape May Point State Park
Lighthouse Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Fall is also peak season at Cape May Point State Park, one of the most popular bird-watching sites in North America. Spend the afternoon watching migrating hawks and monarch butterflies, then stay for sunset near the Cape May Lighthouse. Planning a full autumn day trip? Pair your sunset with our guide to fall foliage in NJ and DE.
Tips for Finding the Best Place to Watch the Sunset Near You
Catching a great sunset at the Jersey Shore takes a bit of timing and the right vantage point. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Get there half an hour ahead. Summer crowds take the parking and the beach space quickly, so give yourself time to settle in.
- Find a west-facing view of the bay. At Sunset Beach and Douglass Park, nothing blocks the sun as it drops into the water.
- Stick around after sunset. Twilight on the Jersey Cape lasts roughly half an hour, and the colors often build after the sun is gone.
- See the sky before you leave home. The live webcams at our ferry terminals show conditions in real time.
- Don’t skip a partly cloudy evening. A scattering of high clouds reflects the light and can bring out bolder color than a clear sky.
New Jersey Sunset FAQs
What time is sunset in New Jersey today?
It depends on the date and where you are in the state. In Cape May, sunset ranges from about 4:40 PM in early December to about 8:30 PM in late June, and North Jersey sunsets run within about 10 minutes of that. See the sunset times by season table above for the full breakdown, or check the NOAA Solar Calculator for the exact time today.
Which NJ beach has the best sunrise?
Since the Jersey Shore looks out over the Atlantic, almost any ocean beach can give you a sunrise over the water. Cape May stands out because you can watch the sun rise over the ocean and set over the Delaware Bay on the same day. Start your morning with a walk along the Beach Avenue promenade, then finish at Sunset Beach at Cape May Point for the evening.
What are the best places to watch the sunset in NJ?
The best places to watch the sunset in NJ face west over the water, which is rare in a state where most beaches face the ocean. At the southern tip of the state, Sunset Beach at Cape May Point, the Douglass Park jetty, and Cape May Point State Park all look out over the Delaware Bay. For a view with nothing between you and the horizon, watch from the deck of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry.
What direction does the sun set in New Jersey?
The sun sets in the west, so in New Jersey the best views come from spots that face west over the water. Most Jersey Shore beaches face the ocean to the east, which makes the Delaware Bay side of the Cape May peninsula stand out. The exact direction shifts with the seasons, from the northwest in summer to the southwest in winter.
Which Cape May - Lewes Ferry sailings line up with the sunset?
It depends on the season. In the summer, choose early-evening departures (around 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM) to match the late 8:00 PM sunsets. In the fall and winter, you’d shift to mid-afternoon sailings (between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM) as the sun sets much earlier. Always cross-reference your specific travel date with our ferry schedules and fares, as schedules change and sunset times shift by the day.
Ready to See the Sunset in New Jersey?
Now you know when the sun sets in every season and where to watch it along the Jersey Cape. Summer gives you late evenings on the beach, fall brings clearer skies, and winter offers quiet, early shows over the bay. For the full experience, plan a late-day crossing and watch the sun go down from the deck. Once you reach Lewes, our guide to watching the sunset in Delaware covers the best spots on the other side of the bay. We hope to see you at golden hour.
