Outdoor Living in Sussex County

Cape Water Tours & Taxi in Lewes, Delaware

Cape Water Tours & Taxi is one of the best ways to experience Lewes and the Delaware Bay from the water. Departing from Lewes, guests can enjoy scenic boat rides, sunset cruises, dolphin watching, lighthouse tours, eco-tours, live music cruises, full moon cruises, private charters, and water taxi service.

These tours offer beautiful views of Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen, the Delaware Bay, the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, local wildlife, and historic coastal landmarks. It is a relaxing activity for families, couples, visitors, and locals who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Delaware beaches.

Popular Cape Water Tours

• Sunset Cruises
• Dolphin Watching Cruises
• Lighthouse Tours
• Eco and Birding Tours
• Full Moon Cruises
• Live Music Cruises
• Private Boat Charters
• Water Taxi Service

Cape Water Tours has dock locations in Lewes, including Anglers Road and Cape Henlopen Drive. Tour schedules, prices, and departure times may change by season, so visitors should check the current calendar before planning their trip.

Dewey Beach water Sports

Dewey Beach Watersports – Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach Watersports offers a variety of summer water activities, including pontoon boat rentals, jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and parasailing. It is a fun choice for families and visitors who want to spend time on the bay.

Coastal Kayak – Fenwick Island Area

Coastal Kayak offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, lessons, and guided eco-tours through the inland bays and marshlands. Their tours are a great way to learn about local wildlife, coastal ecosystems, and the natural beauty of southern Sussex County.

Delmarva Board Sport Adventures

Delmarva Board Sport Adventures offers paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and other water sport experiences in the Delaware beach area. It is a great option for visitors looking for active outdoor fun on the water.

Back Bay Tours

Back Bay Tours offers scenic cruises and eco-tours through the calm waterways of the inland bays. These tours are a relaxing way to see wildlife, marshlands, and coastal scenery from the water.

Trap Pond Boat Rentals – Laurel

At Trap Pond State Park, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, or take a guided pontoon boat tour through the beautiful cypress swamp. This is a peaceful and memorable way to experience one of Delaware’s most unique natural areas.

Places to Bike, Hike & Walk

Hiking Places at Beaches

Gordon’s Pond Trail – Lewes & Rehoboth Beach

Gordon’s Pond Trail is one of the most scenic trails in coastal Delaware. The trail passes through salt marshes, dunes, wooded areas, and elevated boardwalks, with beautiful views and excellent birdwatching. It connects Cape Henlopen State Park with the Rehoboth Beach area.

Junction & Breakwater Trail – Lewes to Rehoboth Beach

The Junction & Breakwater Trail is a popular biking and walking trail that connects Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. The trail travels through wooded areas, open fields, and peaceful natural landscapes, making it a favorite for both residents and visitors.

Georgetown-Lewes Trail

The Georgetown-Lewes Trail is a growing multi-use trail that provides a safe and scenic route for biking, walking, and running. It connects communities and gives visitors another way to enjoy the outdoors away from busy beach traffic.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Trails – Milton

Prime Hook offers quiet walking trails through marshes, forests, and wetlands. It is one of the best places in Sussex County for birdwatching, wildlife photography, and peaceful nature walks.

James Farm Ecological Preserve – Ocean View

James Farm Ecological Preserve is a beautiful natural area along the Indian River Bay. Visitors can walk through forests, meadows, marshes, and sandy shoreline areas. It is a wonderful place for families, birdwatchers, photographers, and anyone who enjoys quiet nature trails.

Farms, Vineyards & Orchards

Nassau Valley Vineyards – Lewes

Nassau Valley Vineyards is Delaware’s first winery and offers wine tastings, vineyard views, and a peaceful setting close to the beaches. It is a lovely stop for visitors who want to enjoy local wine and the countryside near Lewes.

Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery Frankford

Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery is a popular outdoor destination featuring wine tastings, live music, food trucks, and seasonal events. With open vineyard views and a relaxed atmosphere, it is a favorite spot for gathering with friends after a beach day.

Parsons Farms Produce – Dagsboro

Parsons Farms Produce is a family-friendly farm market offering fresh local produce, flowers, seasonal items, and farm experiences. It is a great place to stop for fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and family fun.

Bennett Orchards – Frankford

Bennett Orchards is known for locally grown peaches and seasonal produce. Visitors can enjoy fresh fruit, farm products, and the beauty of the agricultural side of Sussex County.

Fifer Orchards – Camden-Wyoming

Although located north of Sussex County, Fifer Orchards is a popular Delaware farm destination for seasonal fruit, farm markets, festivals, and family activities. It is a great day trip for those who enjoy orchards, fresh produce, and farm events.

Wildlife Refuges, Marshlands & Nature Preserves

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge – Milton

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Sussex County. Located near Broadkill Beach and the Delaware Bay, the refuge includes freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, forests, fields, and shoreline habitats. Visitors may see bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, snow geese, shorebirds, turtles, foxes, deer, and many other species.

Great Marsh Preserve – Lewes

The Great Marsh Preserve protects a large coastal marsh ecosystem near Lewes. It is an important habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife and offers peaceful views of one of Delaware’s treasured coastal landscapes.

Assawoman Wildlife Area – Near Bethany Beach & Fenwick Island

Assawoman Wildlife Area is a beautiful place for birdwatching, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife photography. Its marshes and waterways provide important habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other coastal wildlife.

Gordon’s Pond Wildlife Area – Lewes & Rehoboth Beach

Gordon’s Pond is a scenic coastal wetland area within Cape Henlopen State Park. It is especially popular for birdwatching and photography, with views of marshes, dunes, ponds, and migratory birds.

Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek – Dagsboro

Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek offers beautiful gardens, native plants, meadow landscapes, walking paths, and views of Pepper Creek. It is a peaceful place to enjoy flowers, butterflies, pollinators, and the natural beauty of the inland bays region.

Animal Encounters & Family Nature Experiences

Coastal Wilds – Frankford

Coastal Wilds in Frankford offers one of the most unique animal experiences near the Delaware Beaches. This interactive zoological park gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy up-close animal encounters while learning about wildlife and conservation. Families may have the chance to meet animals such as sloths, otters, kangaroos, wallabies, capybaras, camels, and other animal ambassadors.

Coastal Wilds

Coastal Wilds offers guided animal encounters, special events, educational programs, and memorable hands-on experiences for animal lovers of all ages. It is a wonderful choice for families looking for something different to do beyond the beach.

Goat Joy – Harbeson

Goat Joy offers fun and relaxing farm experiences, including goat yoga, goat socials, and family-friendly animal encounters. It is a cheerful outdoor activity for visitors who enjoy animals, farms, and unique local experiences.

Parsons Farms Produce – Dagsboro

In addition to fresh produce and farm market items, Parsons Farms often offers family-friendly farm experiences and seasonal animal attractions. It is a fun stop for children and families visiting the Dagsboro and Bethany Beach area.

Cape Henlopen Nature Center – Lewes

The Cape Henlopen Nature Center offers educational exhibits, family programs, touch tanks, and nature activities that help visitors learn about local marine life, wildlife, and coastal habitats. It is a great place for children to connect with nature during a visit to Cape Henlopen State Park.

Prime Hook Wildlife Viewing – Milton

Prime Hook is a wonderful place for quiet wildlife viewing. Families can look for birds, turtles, deer, foxes, horseshoe crabs along the bay, and seasonal migrations. It is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the marshes come alive with birds and wildlife.

Experience the Natural Beauty of Sussex County

From biking beside coastal marshes to kayaking through quiet bays, from visiting local vineyards and farms to watching birds at Prime Hook, Sussex County offers outdoor adventures in every season. The Delaware Beaches are more than sand and surf—they are filled with natural treasures, family-friendly activities, and peaceful places to enjoy the beauty of coastal Delaware.