Coastal Delaware is made up of six beach towns with exceptional public beaches, and one area with private beaches. Each beach town has a unique charm and character. Fenwick Island, South Bethany, and Bethany Beach are considered “The Quiet Resorts” while Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Lewes are a bit more lively, especially during the summer months. The area north of Bethany Beach and south of the Indian River Inlet is known as North Bethany. It is made up of a group of gated communities and private beaches.
The beach lifestyle can be very healthy. Being at the beach can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and coastal recreation provides excellent exercise. And there’s a lot of fresh seafood! You will enjoy the beach lifestyle in Coastal Delaware when you choose to live in any one of our wonderful beach towns or gated communities. Scroll down to learn more about this beautiful area.
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Beaches
There are beaches for everyone in Coastal Delaware and the water is clean. The water is tested regularly. The state is recognized as having one of the best water quality programs in the country. There are beaches with boardwalks and the hustle and bustle of summer vacationers and quieter and less frequented beaches.
If you prefer a beach with a boardwalk, food, and amusements you can enjoy a day at Rehoboth Beach or Dewey Beach. Both feature boardwalks. Rehoboth Beach is very clean, which makes it attractive to swimmers near and far. The water is clean and pristine. Bethany Beach is a little more laid back and family-friendly.
If you are looking for wildlife you can stop by Slaughter Beach in late spring. The horseshoe crab spawning season runs May-June. Hundreds of thousands of female horseshoe crabs head for the beach during high tide. Millions of eggs are laid. The eggs attract migrating shorebirds looking for a meal. It’s quite a sight. You’ll want to visit another beach for swimming (there are plenty of swimming beaches to choose from).
Boardwalks
The beaches of Coastal Delaware are the number one attraction. In addition to the beaches, there are boardwalks to enjoy. You can enjoy food, fun, games, and a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk. The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is .38 miles long and 12 feet wide. This boardwalk is perfect for a short walk or jog and features beach shops, food, and a bandstand. There are live music and events throughout the summer. The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is one mile long and features a large variety of old-fashioned family amusements, shops, restaurants, and a bandstand. The bandstand has been providing free entertainment to visitors and locals since 1963 with music, movies, and a variety of acts.
Shipwrecks & Settlement History
There are a few historic places of interest to visit in Coastal Delaware. The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes pays homage to the 1631 European settlement of Zwaanendael. This was Delaware’s first European settlement. The museum includes shipwreck artifacts and items that reflect local history. The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum has an interesting collection. They opened on Fenwick Island in 1995 and provide an ever-changing exhibit with over 10,000 artifacts.
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