The Best Beaches in Delaware

Rehoboth Beach

Delaware’s flagship beach — a mile-long boardwalk of Funland, fries, and saltwater taffy backing wide sand. Metered parking and paid lots rule the grid, and they fill by late morning on summer weekends.

Dewey Beach

The party-and-surf town just south of Rehoboth — a thin strip of sand between the ocean and the bay, popular for waves and nightlife. Parking is metered and notoriously scarce, so arrive early or walk in from Rehoboth.

Bethany Beach

One of the “Quiet Resorts” — a tidy boardwalk and bandstand with a calmer, family feel than Rehoboth. Metered spaces and small lots cap out by midday, so come early or plan to circle.

Cape Henlopen

Where the bay meets the ocean — wide dune-backed beaches, the WWII watchtowers, and a fishing pier inside a big state park. Entry is paid by the car and the swim-beach lot can close once it fills on hot days.

Lewes

Lewes’ Delaware Bay beach — flat, gentle water that’s ideal for little kids and a welcome break from the ocean surf. Parking runs on meters and seasonal permits along the bayfront streets.

Fenwick Island

The small, low-key town right on the Maryland border just north of Ocean City — a relaxed family beach with the lighthouse nearby. Street parking is limited but largely free, so it goes fast on summer afternoons.

Fenwick Island

A quiet, undeveloped stretch of sand between Bethany and the Maryland line — dunes, surf fishing, and far fewer crowds than the boardwalk towns. State-park entry is paid by the car, but the lot rarely sells out the way the towns do.