Beaches attract multitudes of vacationers annually, and no matter where you are in Delaware, you're never too far from the ocean. Campers rejoice, for there are plenty of great camping destinations and outdoor recreation available along the Delaware coast.

Beginning just outside of Lewes and located at the mouth of Delaware Bay is Cape Henlopen State Park, with dune campsites, fishing pier, hiking trails, swimming beaches, and Seaside Nature Center.


Traveling south, the next stop is Rehoboth Beach with its mile-long boardwalk and beach fun like volleyball, swimming, fishing, and summertime bandstand concerts. Just below Rehoboth is Dewey Beach, which abounds with recreation opportunities like swimming, fishing, sailing, wind surfing, jet skiing, water skiing, and boating, just to name a few.

In the southeast corner of the state lies a seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches starting with Bethany Beach, whose warm waters attract swimmers even in January. Ocean side fun includes swimming, fishing, surfing, and boogey boarding; while the bay side offers safe waters for sailing, wind-surfing, jet-skiing, fishing, crabbing, water skiing, and boating. There are also summertime boardwalk bandstand concerts and various festivals and events throughout the year.

Below Bethany Beach is Fenwick Island State Park, with its three miles of barrier island beaches that offer, besides the usual water sports, some great bird watching. And last is Fenwick Island, with its uncrowded beaches for swimming, fishing, and surfing.

A popular attraction is the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, operating here since 1858.

For planning a Delaware beach vacation, check out Beach-Net.com.