Sunset Beach, Public beach in Cape May County, US
Sunset Beach is a public beach on the Delaware Bay shore, at the far western tip of the Cape May Peninsula in New Jersey. The shoreline is sandy and open, with an unobstructed view across the water toward the Delaware coast.
The western tip of Cape May Peninsula has long been a reference point for ships navigating Delaware Bay. In 1926, a concrete ship called the USS Atlantus ran aground just offshore, and parts of its wreck remain visible from the beach today.
A summer evening flag-lowering ceremony with Taps plays here to honor military veterans. This ritual creates a moment of reflection that many visitors witness during their time on the beach.
The beach is easy to reach on foot and has plenty of open space along the shore. An evening flag ceremony draws crowds, so arriving early in the day gives a quieter experience if that is what you prefer.
Because the shoreline here faces west rather than east like most of New Jersey's beaches, this is the only spot in the state where the sun sets directly over open water. Visitors also often search the sand for Cape May diamonds, small pieces of quartz washed ashore from the riverbed that catch the light when polished.
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