The bulk of Delaware's most well-known beaches are located along the coast and in the barrier areas bordering the Atlantic south of Delaware Bay. Every summer, countless numbers of residents and visitors head to the coast to take advantage of the sun, sand, water sports, and attractions in the seaside towns.
Families and couples like visiting famous tourist destinations like Rehoboth and Bethany, while those seeking isolation appreciate the quieter atmosphere of the numerous state parks and small-town beaches.
Beyond the beaches, vacationers can discover the beauties of nature, shop tax-free, and delve into the extensive nautical past of the Delaware coast. Our list of Delaware's top beaches will help you pick a beautiful location for your sunny day.
1.Rehoboth Beach
One of the most popular beach resort towns in the state is Rehoboth Beach, which is renowned for its lovely boardwalk and simultaneously vintage and contemporary atmosphere. The Beach Arcade and the Funland amusement park are both located on the Boardwalk, which is where most of the excitement takes place along the beach.
A haunted house, thrill coasters, kids rides, and crowd favourites like bumper cars are all available at Funland with ticket-style admittance. A midway decorated in carnival-style and a video game arcade are also included in the amusement park. Rehoboth is renowned for its tax-free shops, stylish boutiques, and a variety of art galleries.
Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer at the beach, which is free and open to the public.
There are a number of sizable hotels in Rehoboth Beach, including the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, which blends contemporary grandeur with Victorian-era decor. Couples searching for a kid-free weekend will adore the concierge level, which features a private spa and rooftop sun deck, and there is an amazing on-site restaurant with ocean views.
2. Bethany Beach
The half-mile long, wide wooden boardwalk at Bethany Beach overlooks grassy dunes above the sand and the water. Along the boardwalk, which is dotted with shops and food vendors selling anything from seafood to ice cream, there are footwashing facilities.
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A bicycle rental shop, a boutique exclusively for dogs, and Bethany Surf Shop are just a few of the local establishments where you may obtain everything you need for a day at the beach (although unfortunately, dogs are not allowed out on the sand).
In the neighbourhood, you can also rent Jet Skis and enjoy family-friendly activities like mini-golf. Beachgoers should be aware that surfing is only permitted during designated hours.
The town of Bethany Beach organises weekly events for both locals and tourists every summer, from June through August. Examples include Movies on the Beach every Monday at twilight and Bonfires on the Beach every Thursday at 8 p.m.
In addition to having beach access, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott also provides indoor and outdoor pools, a spa on site, self-serve laundry, and complementary breakfast.
3. Cape Henlopen State Park
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, lifeguards are on duty at Cape Henlopen State Park's designated swimming beach, which also has various amenities. There is a complete bathroom with showers and restrooms, a food stand, and umbrella rentals are offered.
The park's surroundings, which include a disc golf course, basketball courts, a three-mile paved bike route, and miles of hiking and walking trails along the coastline, are available to guests in addition to swimming.
At the Fort Miles Historic Site, visitors can also ascend a vintage observation tower from World War II or see a vintage bunker. Some people might seek to benefit from the educational opportunities provided by the Seaside Nature Center.
Wheelchair access is available to several park areas, including the beach. There are also kayak and boat rentals available, as well as a public fishing pier.
The exquisite 1914 brick Victorian mansion that serves as the Savannah Inn's home is family-friendly. The rooms each feature a private bath and come with a gourmet breakfast, and the distance to the beach is only two minutes.
4. Lewes Beach
Because of its soft surf, gradual slope, and minimal to nonexistent undertow, Lewes beach is a favourite among families with small children. These features make it simple for kids to be safe. In the summer, there are lifeguards on duty, and there is a bathhouse with sanitary restrooms and showers. Also, there are vendors selling beverages nearby, along with a small concession stand, an ice cream parlour, and other shops.
Another benefit of this beach is the affordable parking, which is available at metered places. This is useful for visitors who do not intend to stay all day. Visitors can view the Delaware Breakwater and Harbor of Refuge, a famed beacon on the bay, from the beach.
At the Inn at Canal Square, which offers a handmade breakfast, you may find a number of excellent restaurants, boutiques, and interesting stores in the sleepy town of Lewes.
5. Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach is a less well-known but as well-liked beachside resort on Rehoboth Bay, next to Rehoboth Beach, in a community known for its restaurants and shops.
The main attractions in this area are special occasions and entertainment, and Dewey Beach holds numerous music festivals each year, including the Fiddler's Festival and the Elvis Festival. Also, there is nightly live music, free movie nights once a week, and beach bonfires during the summer.
Why Delaware's beaches are the absolute best: https://t.co/vqKh57RQUM pic.twitter.com/dcq3AEwxlL
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Frequent beach activities also include environmental education programmes, junior lifeguard training, and beachside yoga. In Dewey Beach, guests can rent paddleboards, kayaks, Jet Skis, pontoon boats, and other types of watercraft to enjoy a day on the water.
Because parking rules are carefully enforced and spaces are scarce, visitors should take great care to remember them. If you stay at the Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel & Beach House, you won't have to worry about finding a place to stay because it is right on the water, close to all the local activities, has kitchenettes, self-serve laundry facilities, and offers babysitting services.
6. State Park on Fenwick Island
This state park's beach extends three miles along the Atlantic coast and is situated on a barrier island. Throughout the summer months, lifeguards keep an eye on the swimming sections, and this designated swimming beach has showers, restrooms, and changing rooms.
You may also rent chairs and umbrellas on the beach, and there is a concession area and gift shop where you can pick up any last-minute beach accessories. Mobi-Mat equipment makes some of the beach area handicapped accessible.
A permit can be bought at the gift shop if you want to try your hand at surf fishing. You may find water sports shops nearby the state park area where you can hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats with sailing lessons. Also, a number of regional initiatives provide eco-tours of the park's dune system and the waterways nearby.
7. State Park Delaware Seashore
The Delaware Seashore State Park has a number of beaches, two of which have lifeguards on duty and conveniences for beachgoers. Each have bathhouses with showers, bathrooms, and snack bars. You can rent chairs and umbrellas directly on the beach if you don't want to bring your own equipment.
Surfers frequent the beaches in this park, and several of them are designated for this activity. There are additional spots designated for fishing, and a boat launch is available for non-motorized craft.
The 2,825-acre park has a number of natural trails, and there are summertime special educational events. The Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott is a sizable all-suite coastal hotel with private balconies, a pool, and bicycle rentals. Families are welcome here. The Addy Sea is an excellent bed and breakfast that provides afternoon tea to customers who are 21 years of age and older.
8. Slaughter Beach
Slaughter Beach is a tranquil and attractive place on the Delaware Bay shore, despite its awful reputation. It is particularly well-known for the abundance of birds that congregate there to eat horseshoe crabs that have washed up on the shore. The horseshoe crab serves as the municipal symbol since Slaughter Beach is one of Delaware's designated horseshoe crab reserves.
Because to the abundant crab shells and the pebbles, visitors may want to bring water shoes, especially if they are visiting during low tide. For those seeking a quiet day by the ocean, this location is ideal. It has minimal amenities including a picnic area and bathhouse.
The Hampton Inn Milford is a reputable neighbourhood hotel that offers solid service and extras like a pool, fitness centre, and free breakfast.
9. Beach Broadkill
Being a quieter alternative to the larger, busier beaches in the vicinity, Broadkill Beach has grown in popularity. Also, it is one of the few beaches without an admission or parking fee, but as a result, there are very few amenities available, including only a few portable restrooms.
At the edge of the beach, a little shop sells essentials like food and drinks that are cold. In the middle of the summer, it is advised to arrive as early as possible due to the restricted parking.
The Brick Hotel On The Circle in adjacent Georgetown is a wonderful old building with a full-service restaurant and a gourmet breakfast.
10. State Park Holts Landing
With its sandy beach and more than 200 acres of coastal park area, Holts Landing State Park is the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. Osprey, herons, and hawks, among other birds, call a variety of habitats, such as salt marshes, freshwater areas, grassy meadows, and maritime forests, home. The park has many hiking and walking routes, as well as an ADA accessible pathway that anyone can use to take in the environment.
The public boat access ramp at Holts Landing is available every day of the year, enabling boaters to plan their visits around the tide and benefit from night fishing. Other popular water sports in this area include stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking.
A sizable pavilion with a fire pit is also available in the park, and throughout the summer there are free nightly concerts and Outdoor Family Fun Nights with activities for all ages. Also, there are picnic spots, restrooms, and a horseshoe pit in the park. In several parts of the park, leashed dogs are welcome.