Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
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The Delaware Seashore State Park is a barrier island featuring an expansive 6 miles of undeveloped beach along the Delaware coastline that is perfect for swimming, surfing, fishing, sunbathing, and more.

Being a barrier island, it is constantly shifting with the forces of the winds and currents. This made it difficult to maintain any sort of human presence on the island until 1939, when the two jetties were created, leading to a more or less static landscape. The Delaware Seashore State Park was created by the State Park Commission in 1965.

The park consists of two main parts, a north and south inlet, separated by the Indian River flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean. The two sections of the park are connected by a bicycle/walking path that will take you over the Charles W. Cullen Bridge, which can be seen towering in the background at almost any angle. Both parks can be reached from DE-1 and have plenty of parking.

One of the main attractions of the Delaware Seashore State Park is the fishing. With a Delaware fishing license, you can take advantage of the many fishing spots located along the Indian River inlet. With a special permit you can enjoy surf fishing, with or without a vehicle. With over 6 miles of shoreline, you're bound to find a spot to yourself.

The Atlantic Ocean offers great opportunities for swimming and surfing, as the water warms up to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The beaches are patrolled by trained lifeguards from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Many facilities are available on-site in the South Inlet such as showers, changing rooms, a restaurant, and pavilion. Rafts, umbrellas, chairs, and other beach accessories can be rented as well. The campground is also a popular choice for those staying overnight.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Quiet beach. Fishing. Dogs allowed.

Cons

None.

Features

ADA accessible
Crabbing
Fishing
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Surfing
Marina
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Comments

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