Harbor of Refuge Light

Harbor of Refuge Light is a lighthouse in Sussex County featuring a cast-iron conical tower topped with a black lantern that rises 23 meters above the water. The structure stands at the Delaware Breakwater entrance and now uses solar power to operate its navigation and warning signals.

The lighthouse began operations in 1908 after Congress provided funds for a permanent structure, as previous temporary beacons had been destroyed by storms. The solid construction was meant to provide reliable navigation for ships using this important shipping lane.

The lighthouse reflects early 1900s maritime engineering and served as a key navigation landmark between New York Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can observe how navigation technology developed over time through the structure itself.

The structure can be visited through summer tours operated by the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation, which has owned it since 2004. Visitors should know that access is by water and conditions vary with weather and tides.

The lighthouse was specifically built as a protective structure at the Delaware Breakwater entrance to warn ships about reefs and wrecks in this hazardous area. Its signals can be seen and heard up to 19 nautical miles away, providing both visual and audible warnings for ship captains.

Location: Sussex County

Inception: 1908

Height: 23 m

GPS coordinates: 38.81460,-75.09240

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06