I’ve been visiting the Delaware beach towns on the Atlantic Ocean my whole life, and I was thankful to have so many good beaches a few hours from home. I actually met my husband in Dewey Beach, which fits because I’ve been a beach person from day one! The best beaches in Delaware offer something for every type of traveler from families, to a party crowd and people that like their vacations quiet and tranquil.
There’s even a hidden gem in there. š Here is my round up of the best spots for every type of traveler.
Rehoboth Beach : #1 of the Best Beaches In Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is my choice for the #1 of the best beaches in Delaware because it has it all and really offers the classic American beach experience. Think a vibrant boardwalk, lots of restaurants, beachfront rides, live music and both hotels and vacation rentals.
The boardwalk makes this beach town super walkable and it’s very family friendly. Rehoboth Beach is also known as one of the premier LGBTQIA+ beach destinations on the East Coast.
What are the highlights of Rehoboth Beach?
Rehoboth Beach has the most activities of all the best Delaware Beaches. The boardwalk connects the entirety of the beautiful beach and offers plenty of places to pop in for a bite to eat, frozen custard or some shopping.
The Funland carnival rides are perfect for visitors of all ages, from the beloved Haunted Mansion ride (which is being renovated soon) to rides for the littlest toddlers. There’s even a rooftop mini golf spot.
You’ll also find Jungle Jim’s water park nearby. And of course, it wouldn’t be a true American beach town without live music on the beach! During the summer months there are free concerts at the Band Stand each weekend.
Rehoboth Beach is also one of the best beaches in Delaware for surfing, although surfers may be better off traveling the short way down to Ocean City, MD instead.
When it comes to restaurants, try Above the Dunes for an all around favorite and beachfront dining, Dogfish Head for Delaware’s best brew pub, and Blue Moon for fine dining. Salt Air is the beach’s foodie spot, and Nicola Pizza is the go-to spot for pizza on the boardwalk.
P.S. If you love sunrises as much as I do, don’t miss a sunrise on the beaches of the Eastern Shore. They are gorgeous!!!
Where to stay in Rehoboth Beach DE?
Rehoboth Beach has both hotels and vacation rentals, but you are better off staying in a hotel here as there are lots of great ones and the town is very walkable.
These hotels below are known as the best for each budget range.
Budget: Admiral on Baltimore or Atlantic Sands Hotel
Midrange: Boardwalk Plaza Hotel (Love this hotel – it’s one of the reasons I chose Rehoboth as #1 of the best beaches in Delaware!)
Splurge: Avenue Inn and Spa
Dewey Beach : Delaware’s Party Town
Dewey Beach is Delaware’s party beach, and probably one of the best beaches for nightlife and live music on the whole Eastern Shore! If you’re visiting the United States and love live music, the beach and nightlife, don’t miss this destination. I would say it’s easily #1 of the best beaches in Delaware for anyone in their 20’s and 30’s who like to have a good time!
I’ve been to Dewey Beach at least ten times or so and I know my way around very well. It’s great that most of the main bars are still there – in fact my dad even went to a few of the bars my friends and I go to!
My husband and I actually met at one of the bars in Dewey Beach, Starboard, so it holds a special place in my heart.
What are the highlights at Dewey Beach?
Dewey Beach is all about having a good time, meeting new people, vibrant nightlife and having fun with friends and listening to some great live music in the summers. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the bars, restaurants and beaches are packed, so beware if you don’t like crowds you should choose a different beach.
During the off season you’ll still have a great time, especially if you’re coming with a more lowkey group who still wants the live music without the crazy party, especially during shoulder season.
Every bar in Dewey is great but the highlights are for sure Rusty Rudder, Starboard, Bottle and Cork and Northbeach. Each has live music most nights of the week in the summer and bring in big, fun crowds and great DJ music to dance to. I’ve had some of my favorite nights out dancing in Dewey Beach.
Bottle and Cork usually has bigger shows and they are known for their afternoon jam sessions around 5:00pm. These are my absolute favorite – missing it right now!
For food, you can’t miss Starboard’s brunch. It’s such a great vibe, not too crazy but lively, and best of all the food is fantastic. Make sure to show up early to get your name on the list, especially if you have a big group.
Nalu is another great restaurant for pacific island fusion, and you can get food at any of the bars I listed above during the day without too bad of a wait. Rusty Rudder is a favorite because there are tables in the sand on the water. You can also check out Dewey Beach Beer Company, one of the beach’s newer additions.
Where to stay in Dewey Beach DE
There are lots of great Airbnbs and vacation rentals if you’re coming to Dewey Beach with a larger group, but for smaller groups there are a bunch of great hotels that offer reasonable prices:
Budget: Not too many budget options but the Country Inn & Suites Dewey Beach down the road, the Gold Leaf Hotel Dewey Beach OR the Bay Resort Hotel for a fun party spot, especially on holiday weekends
Upscale: Atlantic View Hotel or Beach House Dewey
Bethany Beach : Low Key Family-Friendly Beach
Bethany Beach is easily the second best of the beaches in Delaware for families, and it’s a bit like a more lowkey version of Rehoboth Beach. There’s a very small boardwalk and there’s a lot more vacation house rentals than the other beaches in Delaware.
Bethany is the perfect beach day or vacation spot for people wanting a family-friendly atmosphere!
What makes Bethany Beach Special?
Bethany Beach has more vacation rentals than the other beaches in Delaware, and the beaches are more wide open and less crowded in front of those rentals I’ve found (as far from the boardwalk you can get, the better for more open space). This gives Bethany a bit of an Outer Banks feel. It’s also right in the middle of the Eastern Shore, so you have easy access to different areas like Rehoboth Beach or Ocean City in MD.
There’s also the iconic Bethany Beach surf shop, a few restaurants and lots of beach shops. There’s a small boardwalk in Bethany with live music in the summer at the Bandstand, similar to Rehoboth.
Mangos is the iconic oceanfront restaurant that will remind you of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville with the tiki interior and lively atmosphere. They have awesome drinks in fancy tiki cups my friends always love to get.
The Bethany Boathouse is another local favorite which has live music in the summers, Cottage Cafe is a cute spot to eat and Grottos is a go-to classic for pizza or a more casual sit-down dinner. After dinner don’t miss By the Bay Creamery.
As you drive up to Bethany Beach if you’re coming from inland, you’ll notice a little town before you get to the actual beach. This is the little town of Millville, and here you’ll find its own round up of great restaurants and the Millville Boardwalk where there’s lots to do for families including mini golf, an arcade and go karts.
Where to stay in Bethany Beach DE
Out of all the best beaches in Delaware you’ll find the most vacation house rentals in Bethany Beach. You can either go on Airbnb, VRBO or use one of the local rental companies like Wilgus Associates.
If a hotel is more your style, there are a few great ones, especially for couples, small families or shorter trips –
Budget: Hotel Bethany Beach
Midrange: Airbnb or VRBO for a vacation rental, as of posting this there aren’t many hotel options in Bethany Beach
Splurge: Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront for 21+ for a gorgeous and unique and historic boutique inn or Residence Inn Ocean Suites Bethany Beach for a classic experience.
Towers Beach, Dewey Beach State Park : Delaware’s Lesser Known Paradise
Here’s where the hidden paradise comes in. Towers Beach, Dewey Beach State Park is a protected area in between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach and an easy drive from all of Delaware’s beaches.
This beach is Delaware’s lesser known paradise, with lower crowds, beautiful beaches full of natural beauty, nature trails, a stunning campground (both RV and tent camping) and a few of DE’s best restaurants for live music. This is where you’ll find the locals – Shhhhhh.
The Big Chill Beach Club and Dockside Marina Bar & Grill are two legendary places to eat, drink and listen to live music in the sand. The Big Chill Beach Club even has full moon parties!
You can reserve a campsite at the DE State Parks website, perfect for backpackers, those looking to save money or anyone on an East Coast road trip making their way down or up the coast.
On the other side is the Indian River Bay, known for its water activities like boating, fishing and crabbing. The Indian River Inlet is one of the best spots in Delaware for surfing as well.
Fenwick Island : Lowkey & Not as Crowded
Fenwick Island is MUCH more lowkey than the other Delaware beaches on this list. It’s the best of the beaches in Delaware on the actual coast for people wanting seclusion and a quiet vacay.
What makes Fenwick Island unique?
Fenwick Island isn’t as big or lively as the other beach towns on this list but it’s my top choice of the best beaches in Delaware for people looking for a peaceful beach vacation during the summer, where the other beaches can fill up. It’s also got more vacation rentals.
There’s also Fenwick Island State Park, which is a long stretch of protected beach – again great for little ones.
Even better, it’s super close to Ocean City, MD. So, if you’re interested in exploring the Ocean City boardwalk but don’t want the crowds and don’t care about being walkable, Fenwick Island is a great place to stay.
With young kids, staying close to OC in a quieter area could be a great idea, since there’s lots to do for kids on the boardwalk like the Jolly Roger amusement parks. There’s also great nightlife spots there like the world famous Seacrets where you can party in the water and there’s multiple live music acts daily in the summer.
If you need public transportation from Fenwick to some of the attractions in Ocean City or elsewhere, check out the DART Beach Bus which operates in the summertime.
Fenwick Island has a surprising amount of restaurants. Catch 54 and Matt’s Fish Camp are two highlights. Harpoon Hanna’s is a lively spot on the sound, and Fenwick Island Social is great for barbecue and a few drinks. On rainy days check out the little Discoversea Shipwreck Museum.
Where to stay in Fenwick Island DE
There are lots of great vacation rentals up and down Fenwick Island. Kleinstuber Rentals is one of the local companies you could check out for a vacation home rental, or of course VRBO or Airbnb are great choices too.
If you decide a hotel is more what you’re looking for:
Budget: Fenwick Islander Motel
Splurge: Fenwick Shores
Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes Beach : Natural Beauty & Calm Water
Cape Henlopen in Lewes is little different because these beaches are where the ocean meets the Rehoboth bay, so there’s no big ocean waves like there are at the other beaches on this list.
I personally prefer the feel and sound of the actual ocean, but if you prefer gentle waves or have toddlers or young children who want to swim, Cape Henlopen is your spot! Lewes also has a cute and beautiful downtown area to explore.
What makes Lewes Beach & Cape Henlopen special?
The little town of Lewes itself is adorable where you’ll find boutique shops, restaurants and lots of character squeezed into a small area.
If you’re looking into where to eat, drink and hangout, Crooked Hammock Brewing is a must and Lewes Oyster House is where you can find the freshest seafood in a pub-like atmosphere. Heirloom is your spot for a delicious, fancier dinner.
The Breakwater Lighthouse is the most famous lighthouse in Delaware and history buffs will want to check it out. And of course there’s the beach itself! The best beach is at Cape Henlopen State Park, where you’ll find calm water and relatively low crowds most times of the year compared to the other beaches in Delaware.
Where should you stay at Cape Henlopen and Lewes Beach?
Hotel Blue offers your more typical beach hotel experience with a small pool, and The Blue Water House is an incredibly unique, quirky and colorful boutique hotel which I have on my list of places I want to stay on the Eastern Shore soon.
Other Beaches in Delaware
There are a few other beaches in Delaware that I didn’t include on the best of list including:
- Broadkill Beach
- Slaughter Beach – Delaware’s Horseshoe Crabs Sanctuary
- Savannah Beach
Enjoy your trip to the Eastern Shore!
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
