Delaware Beaches: The Most Beautiful of the 1st States Coastline

Looking for a coastal getaway that perfectly blends nostalgic charm with natural beauty? Delaware beaches are a true East Coast treasure, offering everything from the vibrant, family-friendly energy of Rehoboth Beach to the "quiet resort" tranquility of Bethany Beach. Whether you want to explore the historic WWII towers at Cape Henlopen State Park, enjoy tax-free shopping at the outlets, or savor a sunset cocktail in Dewey Beach, the First State’s 28 miles of coastline have something for every traveler. Dive into our guide to discover the best spots for sun, surf, and seaside dining along this stunning Atlantic stretch.

Delaware Beaches are full of simple pleasures, with an edge of sophisticated fun. See yourself at any Delaware beach on a quiet summer morning, strolling with coffee past galleries and cottages, or bicycling down a lonely seaside path. Think of the fun the day will hold – lying on the sand serenaded by the steady lapping of waves, knowing the evening will stretch gently before you, full of tasty moments at creatively inspired restaurants and tempting prizes at some kitschy-artsy shop.

That’s the Delaware beach experience, unlike any you’ve had. Each beach has its own personality, from fun-and-friendly Rehoboth to young-and-lively Dewey. Up and down the coast, two distinct lifestyles beckon at the Delaware beaches – the breezy ocean side action and the quieter bay side charm.

At any Delaware beaches, visitors can find a family-friendly, wholesome sort of charm that keeps them coming back for generations. At the Delaware beaches, life’s cares somehow seem to melt, the moment you smell the ocean breeze.  Here is a list of the best of the Delaware beaches:

Rehoboth Beach

Locals and guests to the City of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware claim this quaint and charming mile long boardwalk as one of the City’s best attractions. Flanked by eclectic shops, restaurants, business and family amusements, the boardwalk is one of the reasons Rehoboth Beach was named “The Best Family Beach on the East Coast.”   Rehoboth Beach was named “One of the Nation’s 10 Great Coastal Boardwalks”, in Coastal Living Magazine, “America’s Best Boardwalk”, in American Profile Magazine, and “Top U.S. Boardwalks” in National Geographic Magazine.   Rehoboth Beach is no longer a one season resort. Throughout the year, our boardwalk is a backdrop for festivals and events, fitness competitions or just a daily stroll by foot or bike. Head to our Rehoboth Beach Hotels Oceanfront guide to plan your vacation to Rehoboth.

Dewey Beach

The day is made for sunny fun and the nights are made for revelry in Dewey Beach, which has always been proud of its rock-and-roll soul and its young-and-restless attitude. Blessed with ocean beaches on one side and a broad bay on the other, Dewey Beach is perfectly suited to those adventurous travelers whose idea of fun leans more toward jet-ski rides or a brisk game of volleyball on the beach. Others spend their days enjoying water sports, including boating, parasailing, wake boarding, water skiing, windsurfing, or even dolphin watching.

It’s also the kind of town that truly comes to life after the sun sets over the bay. That’s when you head for the bayside nightclubs like North Beach, Nalu Hawaiian Bare and Grille, Hammerheads and the Rusty Rudder for some dancing and drinking, or grab a cold one at such legendary Dewey Beach bars as The Starboard (home to a great Bloody Mary Bar), or get themselves juiced up for a night of live music at the Bottle and Cork — the self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock and Roll Bar in the World.”  Visiting Dewey Beach?  Visit our Dewey Beach Hotels guide here.

Bethany Beach

The beach has lots to offer for entertainment and recreation.   Take a walk on the boardwalk, relax by the water, or surf during allotted times.   These activities and more make for a great time at the beach with family and friends.  They also have bonfires on the beach Thursdays June 16th- September 29th from 8 – 10 pm on the beach off Campbell Place.  Marshmallows and roasting sticks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  Bonfires continue in September, except no snacks or sticks.

What’s better than watching a good movie? Watching it at the beach of course! Starting June 13th, at Bethany Beach they will be showing free weekly movies on Monday nights off Garfield Parkway. After Labor Day they
move to Friday nights. The location will be on the beach or bandstand depending on the tide. Show time is at dusk.  Visit our Bethany Beach Hotels Oceanfront guide for more information on Bethany Beach.

South Bethany Beach

The Town of South Bethany is part of the Quiet Resorts of the Delaware Beaches. With so many choices for the entire family, the fun never stops! On the east side of town, relax and soak up the sun on our clean, wide, guarded beach, termed “the best little beach in Delaware.” This beach is ranked one of the cleanest in the nation. On the west side of town, enjoy boating, crabbing, fishing, sailing and kayaking from our 5-mile network of canals that leads to a beautiful bay surrounded by natural wetlands.  Visit our Bethany Beach Hotels Oceanfront guide for more information on Bethany Beach.

Lewes Beach

Lewes, Delaware was first settled by the Dutch in 1631 and offers a wealth of historic, nautical and recreational activities that reflect on its location at the intersection of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.  Bay and ocean beaches in and near Lewes, Delaware provide swimming, fishing, boating and a host of other water sports.  Beaches, nature trails, bird sanctuaries and the Seaside Nature Center can all be found at Cape Henlopen State Park just outside of Lewes.  And the Cape May-Lewes Ferry is an unforgettable way to cross the bay from Lewes to New Jersey.  Head to our Best Hotels Near Lewes Beach Delaware guide start planning your vacation.

Fenwick Island

Situated between the popular resort towns of Bethany Beach to the north and Fenwick Island and Ocean City to the south, Fenwick Island State Park is a relaxing escape from the summer crowds. This three-mile stretch of barrier island is a playground of sand, surf, and sun along Delaware’s Atlantic coast.

Today, Fenwick Island State Park invites visitors to enjoy 344 acres of peaceful ocean and bay shoreline. Naturally, swimming and sunbathing are popular activities on the ocean side of the park. The white sand beaches gradually slope into the Atlantic, creating a broad swimming area. Lifeguards patrol the swimming beach daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9am to5pm. One of the newest features at the park is the modern bathhouse, which offers convenient showers and changing rooms, a gift shop, and a snack food concession. During the summer months, umbrellas, chairs, and rafts may be rented on the beach.

Surfers can catch the big waves at Fenwick Island, too, as the park has one of the few beaches in Delaware with a designated surfing area. The ocean beaches are also a favorite spot for surf fishing. Three dune crossings provide fishing access for vehicles with the proper permit to drive onto the beach. Surf fishing vehicle permits may be purchased at the bathhouse gift shop during the summer, or at the nearby park office at Delaware Seashore State Park.  Get all your vacation planning information for Fenwick Island here and visit this ideal beach destination.

Cape Henlopen State Park

It’s one of the iconic images of Delaware, a scene that has captivated countless photographers and come to define the state’s coastal beauty: A grand old lighthouse that rises just off the beach, lashed by frothy waves as it stands sentry next to “The Point” at Cape Henlopen State Park.

The vantage point to this lighthouse view also happens to be one of the best places for enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of the ocean and coast of Delaware. A land of gentle dunes and singing shorebirds, Cape Henlopen State Park is revered for its rich assortment of activities: sunbathing on the park’s six miles of shoreline; fishing from the jetty or beach; walking or cycling down the miles of wildflower-adorned trails that weave through dunes and wetlands. Families adore Cape Henlopen’s convenient camping sites, as well as its constant options for fun, ranging from Nature Center programs, to disc golf, to annual events such as the Delaware Kite Festival.  Visit our Cape Henlopen State Park DE guide and start planning your vacation.

Delaware Seashore State Park

When it comes to fun on the water, this is one Delaware destination that has it all. On its eastern side, Delaware Seashore State Park has 6 miles of ocean coastline and dunes, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, fishing or just chilling out. Right across the Coastal Highway to the west, the park faces Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, both beloved by boaters and both great spots for all types of water sports, from paddle boarding to jet-skiing to water-skiing.

On the ocean side of the 2,825-acre park, the two guarded swimming areas feature modern bathhouses with showers, changing rooms, snacks and beach-gear rental. Anglers love the park for its drive-on surf-fishing beaches (permit required), and also find plenty of good catches along the banks of the Indian River Inlet. The park’s Indian River Marina offers many services for boaters.

Just north of the Indian River Inlet on the ocean side, the park has one of the few designated areas in the state for surfing. On the bay side, windsurfing and sailing (as well as crabbing and clamming) are popular pursuits.

Away from the water, the action continues: Two picnic pavilions are available for family cookouts, and special programs, such as bay seining and marsh hikes, are held throughout the summer. In July, be sure to check out the popular Sandcastle Contest, where amateur contestants work their artful skills in sand. If you are looking for the best area Delaware Seashore State Park Hotels, head here.

Best Delaware Beach Resorts