Lightship Overfalls LV-118 - Lewes, Delaware

Chris Slavens

Surprisingly detailed and in-depth tour (perhaps an hour or so) of a historic lightship. Our guide, Dave, shared a wealth of knowledge about the vessel. A cool experience.

Evan Dwyer

This historic 1930s lightship is in fantastic condition. Below decks requires a guide. It's not an arduous tour, and is very interesting - the guides are knowledgeable and the whole thing takes about 45 minutes top to bottom. The tour covers the pilothouse (the bridge), radio room, and then down across the first level below, stem to stern. Tours do not go to the lowest deck where the engines and generators are. There is also no access to the upper deck where the mast is. So visitors can see the main deck, and the lower level, as well as the interior of the superstructure. I really enjoyed seeing the different seakeeping features of the ship. The surrounding park was also very nice. The lightship folks own the little historic Monomoy surfboat under the pavilion, while Lewes Historical Society operates the Life-Saving Museum - a great companion site to the lightship & surfboat - immediately next door. In my opinion, these are all very related topics (Lifesaving Service and Lighthouse Service) and should be visited together. Check the website for specific hours, as the days open depend on the season. There is ample parking in the gravel parking lot for the Canalfront Park, but I would recommend considering parking on the street up by the Episcopal Church if its a Little League game day (assuming the parking lot fills up quickly on those days).

Jenny Matheny

The playground was tiny and geared toward kids that are six and under so my daughter really didn’t feel like she had anywhere to let off some steam so we did not stay long. The tour had to be shut down because of the heat for the life boat and I would say it would be a good place for adults and young children. If you have any middle schoolers highschoolers, there’s nothing for them to do and it’s very quick stop look at the boats OK goodbye not much else to do.

Brandon Bond

I am not usually a fan of guided tours, I typically like to just explore at my own pace. However, I was treated to a splendid tour by a retired Navy Vet who, despite saying he was pretty new, knew the lightship inside and out. His comparisons to his experience aboard ship he served on helped add perspective to his details about life on board a lightship. It was a pleasure to visit, and I highly recommend making a stop to Lightship Overfalls, should you find yourself in Lewes.

Rebecca Collins

While touring around Lewes, DE today, I came upon the Lightship Overfalls at Canalfront Park. The Lightship Overfalls was open for touring, however, I decided not to tour today as there were several people on the ship.

I walked around Canalfront Park and read about the ship. The park has a nice children’s playground, canoe and kayak launch as well as plenty of boats anchored. Nice little quiet park on the canal.

Caitlin Haag

We stopped by for a tour on a Sunday afternoon with our 3 year old and it was such a great experience. Our guide, Bob, was so knowledgeable and engaging! Such an interesting piece of history and the restoration that’s been done is really something. Very hands on which was cool. I would definitely recommend and spend time talking to the guides they were all great!

Diane M

This spectacular boat (w/tours) sits in a park with a playground, tennis courts & BB court. A beautiful way to spend a few hours & follow the signs that tell the story of our mighty ship 🚢. All a Block from the center of town.

Diane Albanese

Ship shape and ready to tour! The Overfalls is a local treasure and the locals have done much to preserve it! There is a foundation that had this historic ship completely refurbished recently. An amazing amount of history is told here told by an army of volunteers! Even more is the adjacent park including an extensive young children playground, benches to watch boats on the canal and a dock to welcome boats and to fish. Come visit soon!