Delaware beach vacation spots
As you search for Delaware beach vacation spots, you’ll find that there’s a surprising number of them to choose from. The coastline is over 25 miles long, so there’s plenty to go around. If you’re looking for something different from your standard Ohio beach, this might be the place for you. With a mix of old timey charm and smooth sandy shores, it’s easy to see why Delaware is such a popular spot with tourists.
The Delaware Beaches are home to many of the best vacation spots in the Eastern United States. The Delaware coastline spans north from Fenwick Island, DE all the way up to Cape May, New Jersey. Each beach along this stretch of coastline is unique; whether it’s the miles and miles of beach locations at Bethany Beach or an exciting water park for kids at Rehoboth Beach, DE there is something for everyone.
The beaches of Delaware are celebrated for their sandy shores and warm waters. The state offers a variety of beaches, from the wide expanses of Rehoboth and Bethany to the secluded coves of Fenwick Island and Cape Henlopen.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware’s largest beach town, is home to a boardwalk and amusement park. With its wide array of restaurants and shops, this is a great place to stay if you’re looking for fun things to do during your vacation!
Bethany Beach is another popular spot in Delaware’s beaches area. This beach town has a quieter feel than Rehoboth Beach but still offers plenty of shopping and dining options.
Fenwick Island is another popular destination for those who want a quieter experience on their vacation. With only one main road leading into town, this is an ideal place to unwind with family or friends while enjoying some time on the beach without feeling like you’re surrounded by crowds all day long!
There are many beach vacation spots in Delaware that you can choose from. The state has a diverse coastline, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay. Each of these areas has its own unique character and style, so it’s important to consider what kind of trip you want to have before making your booking.
For example, if you’re looking for a family-friendly beach vacation spot with lots of activities, head over to Rehoboth Beach. This town is known for its mild climate (it never gets too hot or cold), as well as its wide variety of restaurants, outdoor activities, and shopping opportunities. If you’re looking for something more secluded and quiet, visit Bethany Beach or Fenwick Island where there are fewer crowds and more privacy.
1. Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is one of the state’s favorite beach resort towns, known for its beautiful boardwalk and ambience that is simultaneously old-fashioned and modern. The Boardwalk is the center of the action along the beach, home to numerous eateries, candy stores, and souvenir shops, as well as the Beach Arcade and the Funland amusement park.
Funland has rides and games with ticket-style admission, including kiddie rides, favorites like bumper cars, a haunted house, and thrill rides. The amusement park also includes a carnival-style midway and a video game arcade. Rehoboth is also a shopping paradise, known for its tax-free outlets, chic boutiques, and numerous galleries.
The beach itself is free and open to the public, and lifeguards are on duty during the summer.
Rehoboth Beach has several large hotels along the beach, such as the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, which combines Victorian-era décor with modern luxury. There is an excellent on-site restaurant with ocean views, and couples looking for a kid-free getaway will love the concierge level, which includes a private spa and rooftop sun deck.
2. Bethany Beach
The wide wooden boardwalk that stretches a half mile along Bethany beach looks down over grass-spotted dunes above the sand and shore. Foot-washing stations are located along the boardwalk, and it is lined with shops and food vendors who sell everything from seafood to ice-cream.
Local shops include Bethany Surf Shop, where you can get anything you need for a day on the beach; a bicycle rental shop; and even a boutique just for dogs (although unfortunately, dogs are not allowed out on the sand).
You can also find Jet Ski rentals nearby, as well as family-friendly recreation like mini-golf. Surfers should note that this activity is only allowed during allotted times.
Each summer, June through August, the town of Bethany Beach hosts weekly events for both locals and visitors, including Bonfires on the Beach each Thursday evening at 8pm and Movies on the Beach each Monday at dusk.
Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott not only has beach access but also indoor and outdoor pools, an on-site spa, a self-serve laundry, and complimentary breakfast.
3. Cape Henlopen State Park
The designated swimming beach at Cape Henlopen State Park is staffed with lifeguards from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and is equipped with several conveniences. There is a full bathhouse with restrooms and showers, a concession area, and umbrella rentals are available.
In addition to swimming, park visitors can enjoy the surrounding area, which includes a disc golf course, basketball courts, a three-mile paved bike trail, and miles of hiking and walking trails along the seashore.
Visitors can also climb to the top of an old WWII observation tower or explore an old bunker at the Fort Miles Historic Site. Others may want to take advantage of the educational programs at the Seaside Nature Center.
Many parts of the park are wheelchair accessible, including beach access. Boat and kayak rentals are also available, and there is a fishing pier for public use.
Although it is housed in an elegant 1914 brick Victorian, the Savannah Inn welcomes families. It is just two minutes to the beach, rooms each have private baths and include a gourmet breakfast.
4. Lewes Beach
Lewes beach is a favorite of families with younger children because of its gentle surf and gradual slope, with little to no undertow, which make it easy for kids to stay safe. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer and a bath house with clean toilets and showers. There is also a small concession stand, and an ice-cream shop within walking distance, as well as vendors who sell refreshments.
Another advantage of this beach is its reasonable parking rates, which are at metered spaces, especially handy for those who are not planning on spending the entire day here. From the beach, visitors can see the Delaware Breakwater and Harbor of Refuge, a historic beacon in the bay.
In the quiet town of Lewes, you will find several good restaurants, boutiques, and interesting shops near the Inn at Canal Square, which includes a homemade breakfast.
5. Dewey Beach
On Rehoboth Bay, adjacent to Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach is a smaller but equally popular seaside destination in a town known for its dining and boutiques.
Special events and entertainment are the highlights here, and Dewey Beach hosts many music festivals each year, including the Elvis Festival and the Fiddler’s Festival. There is also nightly live music during the summer, as well as weekly free movie nights and bonfires on the beach.
Regular beach activities also include seaside yoga, a junior lifeguard program, and environmental education programs. Water sports are also popular at Dewey Beach, and visitors can rent paddleboards, kayaks, Jet Skis, pontoon boats, and more to enjoy a day out on the water.
Visitors should be especially careful to note the parking regulations here, as it is strictly enforced and spots are hard to come by. Staying at the Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel & Beach House will secure you a spot you don’t have to worry about; it’s right on the water and within walking distance of all the local attractions, offering kitchenettes and self-serve laundry facilities, as well as babysitting services.
6. Fenwick Island State Park
Located on a barrier island, this state park’s beach spans three miles along the coast of the Atlantic. Lifeguards patrol the swimming areas during the summer season, and on this designated swimming beach you will find changing rooms, showers, and bathroom facilities.
There is also a concession area as well as a gift shop where you can get last-minute beach paraphernalia, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas on the beach. Parts of the beach area are wheelchair accessible thanks to Mobi-Mat equipment.
Those who would like to try their hand at surf fishing can purchase a permit at the gift shop. Just outside the state park area, you will find water sports shops where you can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards, as well as sailboats with sailboat instruction. There are also several local programs that offer eco-tours of the park’s dune system and the surrounding waters.
