It’s Sunday, July 26, and Sandy and Biscuit are not sitting this one out: the 62nd Annual Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt is taking over Cape May Beach Patrol today from 1-2 PM, and it’s free swords, real digging, and one very unhappy seagull. If you’re anywhere near Cape May, NJ or Wildwood Crest this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about the Jersey Shore’s longest-running pirate tradition for kids.
Looking for a Wildwood hotel? Sea Chest Motel in Wildwood Crest puts you one block from the sand — we’re the top-rated Wildwood hotel near the beach on the island.
What Is the Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt?
The Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt is a Cape May summer tradition going on 62 years strong, run by the Cape May Beach Patrol. Every summer, Captain Kidd himself shows up on the sand to hand out real pirate swords to local kids before sending them off to dig up buried treasure. It’s one of the most beloved free family events on the Cape May NJ events calendar — and yes, in this episode, even Harry the seagull has opinions about pirates digging up his beach.
Event Details: Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt 2026
- 📅 Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
- ⌛ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- 📍 Location: Cape May Beach Patrol, 238 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
- 📞 Info: 609-884-9565
- 🎭 Cost: Free admission
- 👶 Ages: 3–10, every kid gets a pirate sword
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Why This Is a Perfect Cape May & Wildwood Crest Family Day
Free, historic, and built for little kids — the Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt checks every box for a Jersey Shore family outing. It’s the kind of only-at-the-Shore memory that pairs perfectly with a weekend built around things to do in Cape May and things to do in Wildwood Crest: hit the treasure hunt at 1 PM, grab lunch on Beach Avenue, then head north to catch the Wildwood Boardwalk and Morey’s Piers before sunset.
Getting to Cape May Beach Patrol From Wildwood Crest
Cape May Beach Patrol at 238 Beach Avenue is about a 20-minute drive south of Wildwood Crest via Ocean Drive/Route 9, making it an easy day-trip add-on if you’re already staying at the Shore. Plenty of families base themselves in Wildwood Crest for the week and drive down to Cape May for events like this one, then spend the rest of the day back on the Wildwood beaches and boardwalk.
More Family Fun on the Cape May & Wildwood NJ Shore
- The Wildwood Boardwalk & Morey’s Piers rides
- Cape May Lighthouse & the historic Washington Street Mall
- Cape May County Zoo (free admission, Cape May Court House)
- Wildwood Crest’s quiet, family-friendly stretch of beach
- Sunset watching from Sunset Beach, Cape May Point
Stay Close to All the Shore Action
Making a weekend of it? Sea Chest Motel is just 1 block from the beach in Wildwood Crest, NJ — an easy home base for a Cape May treasure hunt morning and a Wildwood boardwalk night.
📞 Call us: 609-522-1356
🏠 Book online: seachestmotel.com
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