Can you swim in the beaches of Delaware?

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 swim at many beaches in Delaware, but it is highly recommended to stick to lifeguarded beaches and check the local water quality advisories first. Popular spots like Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach are world-renowned for swimming and sunbathing. However, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) regularly monitors these waters for bacteria like Enterococcus. From May through September, they may issue "Swimming Advisories" if bacteria levels exceed safe limits, which often happens after heavy rainfall due to runoff. While an advisory doesn't always mean a beach is legally "closed," it serves as a warning of increased illness risk. Additionally, the Atlantic coast of Delaware can have strong rip currents and heavy surf; therefore, the state urges visitors to "Swim Between the Flags" where professional Beach Patrol is present. In 2026, many state park beaches like Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore continue to offer excellent, monitored swimming facilities with modern amenities for families.

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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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The Delaware River within the park has very high quality water that is protected from degradation by Special Protection Water Regulations adopted by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).

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Rehoboth Beach Has The Clearest, Most Pristine Water In Delaware.

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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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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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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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I encourage residents who want to make sure they have water available to fill bottles or pitchers of tap water and am confident that there is no risk at this time as no contaminants have been detected in the Delaware River water. Again, tap water continues to be safe.”

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Bethany Beach is best known for its family-friendly, laid-back atmosphere. If you're looking for some rest and relaxation without having to sacrifice amenities, Bethany Beach is a perfect spot for you. Bethany Beach and its southern neighbors, South Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, are known as The Quiet Resorts.

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Salt in Our Water — Saltwater Intrusion and Inundation in Delaware. It happens more frequently when it hasn't rained for a while, usually in the summer. People will call the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to report a salty taste in their water.

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Along the park's waterways, look for raccoons, muskrats, mink, beaver and if you're lucky enough, you might even see some otters frolicking along the river bank. In the forest, look for gray squirrels (some are jet black), gray fox, and black bear.

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Though the park was set aside as an area for outdoor recreation, it is also rich in history, encompassing significant Native American archeological sites and structures from the early Dutch settlement during the colonial period. The entire region was a frontier of the French & Indian War.

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