Welcome to Delaware Beach
Delaware Beach is an area tucked into the state's southeastern corner, stretching from Bethany in the north to Fenwick in the south. It’s a six-mile strip of oceanside land with endless natural beauty. Quiet, small, and spread out, Delaware Beach is perfect for anyone who loves being close to the water or wants to relocate to an area with a slower pace of life. The combined population of Bethany and Fenwick is a quaint 2,000, meaning both towns provide ample privacy and many opportunities for locals to get involved in the community and engage in outdoor recreation.
Residents love the area’s coastal charm, with homes in classic Cape Cod and Craftsman styles. Additionally, the area has several historic styles ranging from Victorians to Georgians and Colonials. The community is considered warm and welcoming, and the beach, unsurprisingly, is the central point around which life turns. Aside from a day on the sand, Delaware Beach residents can explore the area's several state parks or participate in annual festivals that keep the community tight-knit.
What to Love
- Luxury communities on and off the water
- Nearby state parks, like the Delaware Seashore State Park
- Beautiful coastal sunrises
- Plenty of beachside bars and restaurants
- Some of the top public schools in Delaware
Local Lifestyle
Laidback and serene, Delaware Beach is a charming mix of rural and suburban energy. Residents love the local food and art scenes and the town’s summer concert series on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Shopping doesn’t disappoint either, with cute, independent boutiques alongside high-end retailers. Anything that residents might need is provided either in town or a few minutes away in the surrounding villages. Overall, locals love the peaceful ambiance and endless views available at their disposal in Delaware Beach.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Delaware Beach has a great mix of dining, live entertainment, and retail options for residents to enjoy. Matt’s Fish Camp is a delicious seafood spot where locals can’t get enough of the crispy onion rings, perfect clam chowder, and grilled Mahi sandwich. The Cottage Cafe specializes in seafood and American fare, while DiFebo’s is a beautiful modern Italian Grille in Bethany Beach with an onsite market. Fisher’s Popcorn has locations in Bethany and Fenwick and is loved for its tubs of homemade popcorn. The butter and caramel options are local favorites, especially for picnics by the water.
When it comes to entertainment, the Bethany Bandstand is an annual concert series that takes place on Thursday nights in the summer and Saturday nights in the fall. Before winter sets in, residents gather on the boardwalk each week to enjoy a variety of musical stylings, from jazz performances to pop to country. Bethany Blues BBQ hosts regular events like trivia nights and live music. Performances can also be enjoyed at the Bethany Boathouse, a beachside eatery with a breezy outdoor patio. For live theater, residents of Delaware Beach can visit the Freeman Arts Pavilion for dance performances, concerts, and plays.
Shopping happens in downtown Bethany Beach, at the Bethany Town Center or one of its surrounding retailers. Japanesque is a cute clothing boutique, or there’s Gypsy Teal and Alice & Laila. The Tanger Outlets is the place for upscale brands like Coach, Columbia, and J. Crew. Fenwick Island has its own collection of shops, including the Village of Fenwick Shoppes mall, Southern Exposure, and Carolina Street Garden & Home.
Things to Do
Whether you love getting outside or prefer a day of artistic exploration, Delaware Beach has it all. Half a mile long, the Bethany Beach Boardwalk is where most of the town’s events take place. It’s a charming stretch with stunning coastal-style shops and perfect ocean views. The boardwalk is home to the annual Bandstand concert series and the Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival. Held every September, the art festival features a selection of local artists who are proficient in mediums from woodworking to painting to jewelry-making. Bethany Beach also hosts the annual Poseidon Festival, which features a sand-sculpting competition and live music. The Seaside Craft Show is another annual favorite hosted on the boardwalk.
Fenwick Island State Park holds 344 acres of land on the barrier island between Fenwick Island to South Bethany. Fenwick Island State Park is a beach-goers dream, with beautiful beaches for summer swimming and sunbathing. Locals are invited to rent kayaks and paddleboards to take into the Little Assawoman Bay and can grab concessions in or out of the inlets. Surfing, sailing, and fishing are other pastimes that residents love to take part in, or there are seasonal programs like the Wild Crab Chase that encourage locals to discover more about the local ecosystem.
In addition to Fenwick Island, the Fresh Pond State Park is just outside Bethany Beach. The 3.5-mile Prickly Pear Loop Trail is open for hikers, joggers, bikers, and even horseback riders, offering views of the Indian River Bay and Fresh Pond. Delaware Seashore State Park is another great spot for paddling, fishing, and taking in a bit of local history. The park is home to a more than 100-year-old life-saving station that now serves as a museum and is a local favorite for catching waves. Finally, there’s the Assawoman Wildlife Area, west of Delaware Beach. The epitome of peace and natural beauty, the area is an excellent destination for tubing, bird-watching, kayaking, and picnicking.
For golf lovers, Bear Trap Dunes is a 15-minute drive from Fenwick Island and a 10-minute drive from Bethany. Rated one of the top five courses in Delaware, Bear Trap Dunes is a family-run course with public and private amenities. There’s also the Bayside Resort Golf Club, just over 10 minutes from Fenwick Island and under 20 minutes from Bethany.
Schools
The Indian River School District serves Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, Delaware.
