The following letter was sent to Rehoboth Beach officials and supporters of Cape Water Tours.
We are reaching out to you with concerns about our water taxi service and the use of the Grove Park dock in Rehoboth. Cape Water Tours began in 2012 as Cape Water Taxi, with the vision of establishing a water taxi service between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Partnering with the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Improvement Association, we aimed to make the Rehoboth dock a reality. Although we initially expected the dock to be completed by the end of 2013, unforeseen delays required us to adapt our business model to stay afloat. We expanded our focus to include private charters and public tours while maintaining limited water taxi service to Dewey Beach.
However, the financial challenges posed by the distance and time required to travel the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to Dewey, the introduction of a new no-wake zone, and rising fuel and labor costs made continued water taxi service to Dewey Beach unsustainable. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further complicated operations. As our tours and charters in Lewes gained popularity, we concentrated on these services, hoping to eventually reinstate water taxi service to Rehoboth once the Grove Park dock was completed.
The Grove Park dock project gained momentum under new leadership in Rehoboth Beach and was completed in spring 2021. Since then, Cape Water Tours has welcomed over 2,500 guests for water taxi services and sunset cruises on Rehoboth Bay. We still believe a water taxi service between Lewes and Rehoboth is a valuable option for both Rehoboth and Lewes.
The Grove Park dock is also vital for Cape Water Tours and other private charter companies in the area, and losing access to it would result in significant financial losses for many businesses. To ensure the dock remains an asset to the community, Cape Water Tours would like to propose providing management of the dock. With over a decade of experience in maritime operations, we are confident in our ability to manage the dock efficiently, ensuring proper maintenance, scheduling and access for all users. Our team is dedicated to collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders to implement fair-usage policies, maintain safety standards and promote sustainable tourism. We believe private management would enhance operational efficiency, ensure responsible stewardship and secure the dock’s long-term availability.
We are deeply grateful for your support since 2012. Despite challenges, our commitment to providing memorable water-based experiences remains strong. We continue to explore new opportunities while staying true to our mission of offering unique, sustainable water excursions. Thank you for being part of our journey.
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