You can now cruise the Delaware River with views of historic forts along the N.J. coast

If you’ve been itching to take a cruise, but your vacation plans were derailed by the pandemic, you’re in luck. It may not be the Caribbean, but Fort Delaware State Park will offer Delaware River cruises starting this Friday.

Fort Delaware, which sits on Pea Patch Island in the middle of the river between Fort DuPont in Delaware and Fort Mott in Pennsville, New Jersey, once housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.

The Friday cruises, slated for Sept. 11, 18 and 25, include one-hour trips at 4:30 and 5:45 p.m. for $15 and 90-minute sunset tours at 7 p.m. for $25. Tickets will be available soon, according to a post on the park’s Facebook page.

The cruises depart from the park’s ticket office in Delaware City, travel around the southern end of Pea Patch Island and head toward Fort Mott before returning. Two park staffers will be onboard to highlight points of interest along the way.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a maximum of 24 passengers are allowed on each trip to ensure social distancing and masks will be required.

Learn more about Fort Delaware and find contact information online.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.