Nuccio Takes On NJ Lighthouse Challenge
Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, New Jersey
October 26, 2022
The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey is an annual event that takes place the third weekend of October. The challenge is to visit 10 land-based lighthouses, 3 lifesaving stations, 1 museum, and additional sites over the two-day weekend.
According to the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey’s website, the challenge route covers the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and the Delaware Bay and River Coast from Cape May to Paulsboro.
Mrs. Nuccio, MTHS Paraprofessional, participated in this year’s lighthouse challenge with her friend on October 15 and 16. Between the two days, it took them roughly 21 hours to complete the challenge.
On the first day, they explored the lighthouses in Monmouth and Ocean Counties (Sea Girt, Squan Beach Life Saving Station, Navesink Twin Lights, Sandy Hook, Barnegat Light, Barnegat Museum, and Tucker’s Point).
They visited lighthouses and sites in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester Counties on the second day (Absecon Light, Life Saving Station #30-Ocean City, Tatham Life Saving Station, Hereford Inlet-addition, not a part of the actual challenge, Cape May Lighthouse, East Point, Finns Point, and Tinicum Light.
“The actual challenge was easy, but it was a logistical nightmare,” Nuccio said. “It took many hours figuring out the best routes to take and what order we should do the stops in. My friend lives in South Jersey, so that kind of made things hard. There was also tons of driving!” Nuccio said they drove about 485 miles in just two days to complete this challenge.
Despite the time spent in a vehicle, Nuccio had a blast exploring the lighthouses. She recommends participating in the challenge to anyone who is able to take hold of this opportunity. “The amount of history we learned about our great state and maritime stories told to us made the perfect adventure,” Nuccio explained. “We met some incredible people who were more than passionate about their lives and the lives of the brave men and women who had very important work to do.”
Nuccio said she ate some of the best food around and saw parts of New Jersey that were rich with history, and parts of New Jersey had never seen before. “From farm land, to beaches and through some of the oldest parts of New Jersey, we truly do live in a state that has a bit of everything to offer.”
The following is a list of the lighthouses and sites that were included in the 2022 challenge.
Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City
Barnegat Lighthouse,Barnegat
Barnegat Light Museum, Barnegat
Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May
Delaware Bay Lights (virtual), Delaware Bay
East Point Lighthouse, Maurice River Township
Finns Point Range Light, Pennsville
Navesink Twin Lights, Highlands
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Highlands
Sea Girt Lighthouse, Sea Girt
Squan Beach Life Saving Station, Manasquan
Tatham Life Saving Station, Stone Harbor
Tinicum Rear Range Light, Paulsboro
Tuckers Island Light, Tuckerton Seaport
U.S. Lifesaving Station 30, Ocean City
