Can you swim at Delaware beaches?

Delaware Seashore The main attraction for many visitors is swimming and sunbathing along the park's spectacular beaches. Two ocean swimming areas feature modern bathhouses with showers and changing rooms. Lifeguards patrol the beaches from 9 am to 5 pm daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.



Yes, you can absolutely swim at Delaware’s beaches, which are renowned for their clean water and family-friendly atmosphere. Popular spots like Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach offer expansive sandy shorelines that are perfect for swimming, wading, and bodyboarding. To ensure safety, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) operates a regular water quality monitoring program from May through September, testing for bacteria to ensure the water is safe for recreational contact. It is highly recommended to only swim at "guarded" beaches where professional lifeguards are on duty, typically between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. during the summer season. Swimmers should always be mindful of local conditions, such as rip currents or heavy shore breaks, and pay close attention to the colored flags and signage posted at the beach entrances. For those seeking a more natural environment, the Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks provide beautifully preserved beaches with excellent amenities, making Delaware one of the premier swimming destinations on the U.S. East Coast.

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Two of the state's most popular beaches – Rehoboth and Dewey – were again awarded 5-star ratings as Superstar Beaches for their perfect swimming water quality for the past four years. They were two of only 13 Superstar Beaches so designated by the NRDC among beaches of the coastal states.

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There are bull shark occasionally in the Delaware river. One was caught in a net in 1908 basically across the river from where the Philly Airport is today.

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The chemicals released into the Delaware River include butyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used to manufacture paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, and adhesives. The same chemical was also released into a river in East Palestine, Ohio as a result of the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

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On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

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Vibrio are bacteria that occur naturally in brackish waters such as the Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays and tributaries, especially during warm weather months.

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In tests taken Wednesday, the average level of bacteria for Rehoboth Beach over the past 30 days was about 27 colonies per 100ml. That level was 1,313 per 100ml. In Bethany, the bacteria level was much higher at 3,873 colonies per 100ml. Bacteria was far less elevated in Dewey, with 160 per 100ml.

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The waters of the Inland Bays and Delaware Bay may contain organisms that could be harmful to one's health, particularly for persons with certain medical conditions or compromised immune systems. Swimming could result in an increased risk of rashes, infections or gastrointestinal distress.

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No contaminants from the Bristol Township spill have been detected in the Delaware River water: tap water continues to be safe. Residents should continue to use tap water as they normally would.

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Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.

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Delaware River Basin waterways are still polluted 50 years after the Clean Water Act | Opinion. Published: Oct. 30, 2022, 6:01 p.m.

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Crocodiles and alligators, of course, are not native to the Delaware River, preferring much warmer climates. Some locals are theorizing that a local pet is on the loose.

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