Walk In The Steps Of The Keeper...
Visit Delaware Breakwater East End
Lighthouse or Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse!
Click Here 2012 Tour Dates and Information
Join the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation and journey by boat for a memorable tour inside the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse and Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.
Have you ever imagined what it may have been like to serve as a keeper at a lonely offshore lighthouse? Would you like to see first-hand the challenges of saving a lighthouse surrounded by nothing but water? Learn what it was like to live in an offshore lighthouse as you climb the cast-iron steps to the top of the light for a breathtaking view of the Cape Henlopen seascape. All while you enjoy these historic treasures and the spectacular views from atop the light! Each tour promises to make learning about history fun for the entire family.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse....
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse is the outpost of Lewes Harbor – a lonely and sometimes dangerous spot where the hold of man ends and King Neptune’s domain begins. The light’s stout construction and impressive perch atop the National Harbor of Refuge
Breakwater belies the fact that the 76-foot sentinel routinely absorbs the destructive force of the most horrific of tempests. Built in 1926 to replace a previous storm-damaged sentinel, Harbor of Refuge is one of the most exposed lighthouses on the Atlantic seaboard – a place where mountainous seas pound the structure with walls of water that completely scale the beacon’s towering stature. Harbor of Refuge Light is a tantalizing mystery of sorts. The historic lighthouse stands sentinel at the mouth of the Delaware Bay and is situated close enough to Cape Henlopen to view from a distance but just a little too far away to truly appreciate. That divide was finally conquered when the non-profit Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation, opened Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse to the general public for the first time in 2003. Since then, the DRBLHF has become the proud owner of this historic sentinel and continues to welcome visitors to see the light! Don't miss the historic marker outside on the main deck of the lighthouse while you are there!
Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse...
The Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse was home to resident light keepers from 1885 through 1950 when it was automated. During this time, there would always be at least two keepers on duty and one on shore leave. With a three-man crew,
each keeper would serve two weeks on the light and one week off. Though the lighthouse is less than a mile off the beach, it might as well have been a hundred miles as far as the keepers were concerned. One can imagine the feelings of isolation and loneliness of living in an offshore lighthouse – especially in wintertime when the nights are long and “Old Man Winter” nestles in for a long, frozen stay. The keepers would pass the time by maintaining a clean and orderly station, augmented by various hobbies when they were not keeping a nightly vigil inside the light’s watch room ensuring the light was burning bright.
Recounting such history at Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse might make it seem like the sentinels best days passed long ago, but that is hardly the case. The lighthouse is ready to write a new chapter in its storied history. Though the lighthouse no longer guides mariners to safety, thanks to a new partnership between the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation (DRBLHF) and the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA), this guiding beacon will turn its duties to welcoming visitors to walk in the steps of the bygone light keeper.
Details...
Your ticket price includes boat transportation to the lighthouses. Proceeds from all tours to Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse and Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse help benefit the ongoing restoration and preservation of these historic sentinels, as well as DRBLHF lighthouse educational programming.
Book a voyage and journey with us to see one, or both of these historic beacons during the summer tour season! Tours are limited to just 24 or less passengers each (depending on the specific boat).
Non-members may join the Foundation at the time of making their tour reservation and enjoy the member discount immediately.
All tours will leave from the Lewes Ferry Terminal finger pier and are subject to weather conditions and the judgment of the launch captain as to docking safety. Please note for safety reasons, children must be at least 13 years old and meet a 46" height requirement. Tour patrons are reminded that they will be boarding and disembarking a boat in a marine environment. Please wear appropriate rubber soled shoes and dress accordingly.
The United States of America donated Harbor of Refuge Light Station to the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for public use through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
Similarly, the United States donated Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse to the State of Delaware.
Lighthouse Tours Summer 2012
Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse
All tour dates are Saturday.
Times will be announced later.
June 2
June 16*
June 30
July 14*
July 28
August 11*
August 25
September 8
$35/per person 13 and older
$15/child 6 to 12
(Prices may increase depending on fuel cost.)
Details:
Tours depart from the pier located behind the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes, DE. Free parking is available in the Foot Passenger lot. Reservations are required as tickets are limited to 24 per tour. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure time as a safety briefing is required before visitors board the launch. Life jackets are provided and must be worn. No sandals or open-toe shoes allowed.
*Please Note - children must be at least 13 years of age except on dates noted * when children as young as 6 are allowed. One child per adult.
Harbor of Refuge Light Station
This lighthouse is currently closed for repairs made necessary by severe storm damage. However, tours include a sail-by for close-up views and photos.
Here's how to make a reservation for a 2012 lighthouse tour using the online forms
Please read and follow these instructions carefully
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation will conduct eight (8) tours of Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse during
the Summer 2012 tour season.
Tours will include a boat ride across Lewes Harbor to the lighthouse and the oldest breakwater in the United States, visit to the interior of the structure, a climb to the lantern room to see the 125-year-old 4th order Fresnel lens that is still in place. Weather permitting, participants also will sail to the spot where Delaware Bay joins the Atlantic Ocean for a “photo op” at Harbor of Refuge Light Station. Harbor of Refuge is still closed due to severe damage sustained in the back-to-back nor'easters of Winter 2009-10.
Each tour will depart from the finger pier behind the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal on Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, precisely at the designated time.. The launch used to access the lighthouses is limited to 24 tour participants per trip. (More information on tour times will be posted shortly.)
In order to simplify the reservation process and reduce the work for volunteers, a new mail-in online form is being tested. Reservations using this online form can be made by following these three easy steps.
1. Print out a copy of the reservation form and the damage waiver. (Only one reservation form is necessary per group, but each individual must complete a separate waiver form.)
2. Fill in both forms completely and legibly, sign the waiver and have it witnessed. As part of your reservation information, it is essential that you provide a cell phone number by which you can be reached in case of bad weather on the day of the tour in addition to an email address and/or phone number which can be used before then to confirm your reservation or in case there is any question about your reservation or change in tour schedule.
3. Mail all forms along with a check (no credit cards) for $35 per adult (age 13 and up) and $15 per child (age 6 through 12) to the address on the reservation form. Children are permitted only on Monday tours. If the tour must be cancelled by the Foundation due to weather, all checks will be returned. Any cancellation by a tour participant will incur a penalty of 100% of the tour price.
Reservations will be confirmed by an email or phone call as soon as possible. All reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Do not assume you have a reservation until you have received confirmation from the Foundation.
To get general information about the lighthouses and the tour, safety tips, directions, and information on weather contingency plans, click the appropriate category below. To return to this page, use your back button.
Please read and heed the safety tips included below.. Note especially that open-toe shoes, flip-flops, and string sandals are never permitted. Sneakers, boat shoes or other flat, sturdy, rubber-soled footware is recommended. The Foundation reserves the right to refuse to let anyone wearing inappropriate, unsafe footware board the launch.
reservation form
damage waiver
(Only one reservation form is necessary per group, but each individual must complete a separate waiver form.)
Safety
Directions
Comfort
Weather Contingency Plan
All lighthouse tours will go rain or shine... Well, make that light rain or shine.
However, rough seas, heavy rain or threat of severe weather may cause the trip to be cancelled. This is for the safety of all. Once a decision to cancel is made, Foundation members will attempt to reach all tour participants as quickly as possible. Please be sure you have given us a cell phone number for the day of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
CANCELLATION BY THE FOUNDATION--
If the Foundation cancels the tour for any reason, we will try to reschedule everyone. Anyone who cannot be rescheduled will not be charged.
CHANGES OR CANCELLATION BY PARTICIPANTS--
We will attempt to accommodate requests for tour date changes within the season if they are requested more than one week in advance of the originally scheduled date. However, if the new date is not available, or If individuals cancel their participation, do not show up, miss the launch departure time, or choose not to make the trip due to weather (as in too hot, raining, etc.) or for any other reason, they will forfeit 100% of their payment unless we are able to resell their seats no later than one week prior to the tour date.
DENIED BOARDING--
If a participant is not allowed to board the launch because of improper shoes, because a waiver is missing or not acceptable, or because he/she is or appears to be intoxicated, that participant will forfeit 100% of the payment.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation looks forward to having you join us for a visit to this historic lighthouse.
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