10 Best Delaware Beaches To Visit

Please note that some posts may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission should you choose to purchase using these links but at absolutely no extra cost to you.

Everyone needs to get out of the house now and then, and Delaware beaches are the perfect place to do that. Whether you live in Delaware or just visit, summers in The First State are the best.

However, you don’t need to wait until summertime to enjoy the nice beaches in Delaware. The beaches are packed with sunbathers and surfers, and you’re never too old to enjoy them.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach with plenty of amenities, or you want to enjoy the natural beauty of Delaware’s coastline. In that case, these Delware beaches are all worth the trip!

Most Famous Beaches In Delaware

Here are the most famous Delaware beaches and the best spots to go if you’re looking for the perfect place to relax and enjoy the weather.

Cape Henlopen State Park – Lewes, Sussex County

There are many lovely beaches in Delaware, but Cape Henlopen State Park stands out among the lot. Its verdant woodlands, abundant wildlife, and miles of serene shoreline put it among the best.

Cape Henlopen has a designated swimming beach with numerous amenities and active lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It also offers complete public restrooms, umbrella rentals, showers, and a food stand.

Cape Henlopen State Park also provides a disc golf course, basketball courts, a paved bike route, and miles of hiking and walking trails along the coastline. With unmatched fun opportunities, this location is among the best beaches in Delaware.

Enjoy a scenic overlook with breathtaking views of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Watch for bottlenose dolphins playing in the bay or save some time by visiting Fort Miles, which dates back to World War II.

Hotel Blue is just as beautiful and exceptional as Cape Henlopen State Park. You’ll love the overall comfort of the rooms at this location. However, since this location is an Adult-only hotel, we also recommend The Breakers Hotel Suites (30 mins drive) for an equally satisfying experience.

beaches-in-delaware-seashore

Delaware Seashore State Park – Sussex County

Regarding water sports, Delaware Seashore State Park offers the best opportunities. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Bay, and Rehoboth Bay, this state park offers up the most exciting Delaware beaches.

If you’re a surfing, kayaking, or swimming fan, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunities at Delaware Seashore State Park. You can also enjoy views of different marine creatures while surfing or swimming. A good opportunity to put your snorkel gear to use.

Delaware Seashore State Park has some of the safest Delaware beaches, with active lifeguards at various points. You’ll also have a great time with chairs, rafts, beach umbrella rentals, and lovely food stands.

The Big Chill Beach Club is a popular spot to enjoy delectable seafood after an enjoyable windsurfing, swimming, or windsurfing experience.

You can look forward to fantastic facilities and rich opportunities for relaxation and leisure at Sleep Inn & Suites. It’s also near Cape Henlopen State Park, so you can enjoy different experiences throughout your stay.

beach-packing-list

Bethany Beach – Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach gets its name from the town in which you can find the beach. It is well-known for its tranquility and peaceful atmosphere and is undoubtedly among the top quiet beaches in Delaware.

Bethany Beach has a vast, sandy beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean’s shore. Beach lovers who want to relax, tan, and unwind by the water will love Bethany Beach. Lay down your beach mat or towel and just chill.

This peaceful town, known for its spotless sand and welcoming ambiance, is the ideal location to rest after a demanding week.

Despite the absence of amusement attractions, Bethany Beach is still one of the best beaches in Delaware. It is a great place to browse vintage surf shops, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy free concerts at the bandstand from June through October. Remember to purchase a keepsake from the vintage Bethany Beach Boardwalk as well.

Consider a stay in Hotel Bethany Beach and take advantage of exceptional services and premium facilities.

Rehoboth Beach Resort – Rehoboth Beach

One of the most popular Delaware beaches is Rehoboth Beach Resort. It is renowned for its lovely boardwalk and its ambiance, which is both traditional and contemporary. The Beach Arcade, Funland, numerous restaurants, candy shops, and gift shops can all be found on the boardwalk.

Rehoboth Beach is famous for its stylish boutiques and art galleries. It is one of the top Delaware beaches for fun, leisure, and recreation. You can enjoy a haunted house, bumper cars, kiddie rides, and numerous other thrilling activities at the Funland amusement park.

We recommend Rehoboth Beach to everyone who wants a day of relaxation and fun, especially for families with kids.

Atlantic Sands Hotel is a fantastic location with great rooms, exceptional facilities, and friendly staff. To top it all, it’s near Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.

Top Family-Friendly Delaware Beaches

Beaches are one of the most incredible things about trips and vacations. There’s nothing better than getting together with your family and kicking back by the ocean. Do you prefer a quiet, remote spot? Or do you want to spend your days in the heart of a vibrant city? 

dewey-beach-in-delaware

Dewey Beach – Dewey

Dewey Beach is one of the most well-liked Delaware beaches, with clear waters and broad sandy beaches.

The family-friendly beach offers a variety of enjoyable water sports for everyone to enjoy together, including jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, surfing, wakeboarding, and much more. It is about a mile long and two blocks wide. It is situated on a narrow peninsula between Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

One thing that puts Dewey Beach among well-known family beaches in Delaware is its thriving nightlife. Despite its small size, this vibrant coastal town has a reputation for fun nightlife activities. The whole family can attend a concert at Rusty Rudder or stop by Starboard to sample their famous orange crush cocktail.

Everyone can enjoy daytime leisure. If you’re still in the mood for some fun, you can have the time of your life at night with your spouse.

Check out Hyatt Place Dewey Beach for a great stay in Dewey Beach. You and your family can enjoy their professional services and family-friendly facilities.

lewes-beach-delaware

Lewes Beach – Lewes

Family vacationers adore Lewes Beach’s enormous sand bars, kid-friendly coastline, and stunning sunset vistas. This spotless beach stands out among great Delaware beaches as the safest in the state.

We’re sure the kids will love making sculptures and playing in the beach’s calm, shallow waters. You can also have fun searching the beach for seashells. Bring your sandcastle building kit along for a fun time.

Explore the whole of Lewes Canalfront Park, take in miles of breathtaking sites, and check out the numerous upscale shops and restaurants in the area.

Lewes Beach offers a lovely swimming spot with calm waves and well-trained, attentive lifeguards, making it one of the best beaches in Delaware for families with young children.

Have a great time with your family and pet at Home2 Suites by Hilton. It’s comfortable and chic. They won’t disappoint.

Broadkill Beach

Broadkill Beach is a charming beach that is progressively gaining in popularity. At Broadkill, you can have all the fun you want without having to pay an entrance fee, and it is among the few beaches in Delaware with this perk.

Maybe you want to swim and soak up the sun. Or maybe, you just want to lounge and have a good time with your kids. In any case, you’ll love Broadkill Beach. Additionally, it is the perfect spot for beachcombing and shell hunting. Of course, you can swim, surf, kayak, and even fish here, so you can’t run out of entertaining options.

However, while Broadkill is among the best Delaware beaches, it doesn’t have some amenities you will find on other great beaches. So, don’t forget to pack whatever you might need for convenience and recreation.

The Avenue Inn & Spa near Rehoboth Boardwalk is popular for its exquisite taste and excellent facilities for relaxation.

delaware-beaches-bay

Fenwick Island State Park Beach – Fenwick Island, Sussex County

The Fenwick Island State Park Beach atmosphere makes it ideal for taking a romantic stroll with your significant other along the beautiful coastline. The beach is relatively peaceful compared to other Delaware beaches like Dewey or Rehoboth Beach.

With excellent sand and blue waves, this lovely state park beach offers its visitors the ideal oceanside setting. The best place to spend family vacations in Delaware is Fenwick Island.

You can spend quality time with your loved ones while enjoying boating, sailing, surfing, and windsurfing. You can even break out that fishing kit and teach your kid how to fish.

With 3 miles of fresh beach air, you will hardly find a spot that’s better for leisure. This beach offers lovely white sands and excellent opportunities for water activities, putting it among A-list beaches in Delaware.

Check out The Viking Amusements and Thunder Lagoon WaterPark for go-karts, putt-putt golf, and waterslides. Your kids will love it there.

Bethany Beach Ocean Suites (7 mins drive) is an excellent location for everyone. You can enjoy its facilities and take advantage of its proximity to Bethany Beach.

Other Famous Beaches In Delaware

South Bethany Beach – South Bethany

Suppose you decide to visit South Bethany Beach. In that case, you can anticipate spending peaceful days at one of the best beaches in Delaware near the Atlantic Ocean.

Even with its lovely mile-long strip of fine sand, there aren’t many day visitors to South Bethany Beach. That means you can enjoy a tranquil beach but may not have access to public parking near the beach. However, the beach offers enough fun opportunities to make up for that.

You can spend days on the beach building sand sculptures, swimming, surfing, and tanning. Or, you can always head inland to the bays and enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and SUP. It doesn’t end there. There are also opportunities for fishing, bay boat excursions, and wildlife viewing. Undoubtedly one of the most incredible Delaware beaches for sure.

At Heritage Inn & Suites, you can look forward to clean surroundings, delicious complimentary breakfast, and an overall comfortable experience. 

Travel Insurance

 Slaughter Beach – Slaughter Beach

Slaughter Beach is a small-town beach that is among the most popular beaches in Delaware for a short-term vacation. Don’t let its name fool you; Slaughter Beach is a fantastic spot where you can enjoy the ocean and a sandy oceanfront in solitude.

While this beach is quite famous, you’re most likely to meet dog walkers, fishermen, or both, taking advantage of the quiet. That means you can bring your dog, but not between May and September.

Slaughter Beach is known for horseshoe crabs and migratory marine birds. There are probably other more romantic Delaware beaches. Still, we believe romantic partners would love to check it out because of its peaceful, beautiful environment.

If you’re planning to stay in Slaughter Beach for a while, you may want to explore other beauties nearby. Consider Fairfield Inn & Suites (25 mins drive) near Rehoboth Beach. You can enjoy excellent facilities and visit other Delaware beaches nearby.

Enjoying The Best Beaches In Delaware

It’s time to hit the beach! Delaware is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot to unwind or a place for the whole family to enjoy the sun, these Delaware beaches have what you’re looking for.

Delaware is full of beautiful beaches. Dozens of locations offer relaxation, fun, delicious food and drinks, water sports, and other activities. Remember to add these beautiful Delaware beaches to your list if you’re planning a vacation.


PIN THESE TOP DELAWARE BEACHES FOR LATER!

PLANNING YOUR TRIP? CHECK THESE RESOURCES!

Book Your Flight

I usually use a combination of 2-3 of the following search engines to find cheap flights: Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights

Find Your Accommodation

Booking.com is my usual platform for finding accommodation options as they have one of the largest selections. Hostelworld is great for booking hostels. For more private or long term accommodation, Airbnb is my go-to platform.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important for to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances. I usually look at a few insurance companies depending on my travel needs.
  • SafetyWings for Travel Health Insurance
  • IMG Global for added Insurance when doing activities outside of usual coverage
Packing for your trip? Check out the packing list for ideas on what to bring

For more travel resources, check out my resources page for best platforms and companies to use when you travel.

More Adventures

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Welcome To NomadsUnveiled
This is Rax. For over a decade, I have traveled to over 60 countries - from a budget backpacker to a business traveler, expat and then a digital nomad. You can find insights and perspectives from myself and other world travelers that will inspire your journey of discovery.

LONG TERM TRAVEL INSURANCE

other stories