Broadkill Beach, Delaware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Broadkill Beach, Delaware
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Broadkill Beach
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 Broadkill Beach, Delaware
Location in Delaware
Broadkill Beach, Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Delaware |
| County | Sussex |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19968
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| Area code(s) | 302 |
| GNIS feature ID | 213713 |
Broadkill Beach is a small, quiet beach community in Delaware, a state in the United States. It's located in Sussex County, right on the Delaware Bay. The community sits just north of where the Broadkill River meets the bay. The word "kill" in its name comes from an old Dutch word, "kil," which means a river or stream. Broadkill Beach is a part of the larger Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware area.
This small community is becoming a popular place for vacations. Most of the homes here are for vacationers. However, many people also live here all year round. During spring, summer, and fall, you can rent many homes for a week. You can also rent them for weekends during the quieter seasons.
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Beach Life and Activities
In 2016, the beach got much bigger! A big project called "beach replenishment" added more sand. They also built a large, new sand dune. This made the beach more popular and brought new interest to the area.
Broadkill Beach is perfect for water fun. You can swim, kayak, or try stand-up paddleboarding. Many people also enjoy surf fishing right from the shore. Even on busy summer days, the beach usually isn't too crowded. This is because there isn't a lot of public parking.
Nature and Wildlife
West of Broadkill Beach is the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. This makes the area a great spot for nature lovers. It's also wonderful for people who enjoy watching birds and other wildlife.
Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
Broadkill Beach is a special place for horseshoe crabs. These amazing creatures are the state marine animal of Delaware. They are also a "signature species" of the Delaware Bay Estuary. This means they are very important to the bay's ecosystem.
Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve
To the south, Broadkill Beach borders the Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve. This area is located at the end of Bayshore Drive. It offers even more chances to explore nature.
A Quiet Vacation Spot
Broadkill Beach offers a more private and quiet vacation. It's less crowded than the bigger Delaware beach communities. Yet, it's still close to popular resort towns and fun activities.
Nearby Towns
Rehoboth Beach is only about 20 minutes south of Broadkill Beach. This means you can easily visit the busier towns for more options.
Broadkill's Unique Layout
The older part of Broadkill Beach was built in the mid-1900s. It's located around where Delaware Route 16 (DE 16) meets Bayshore Drive.
Street Names
South of DE 16, the cross streets are named after presidents. North of DE 16, they are named after Southern and Southwestern states. You can find many older, small cottages in this area. Farther north and south along Bayshore Drive, you'll see larger, more modern vacation homes.
Comparing Broadkill Beach
Many first-time visitors say Broadkill Beach feels a bit like the Outer Banks in North Carolina. However, it's much smaller. It's also easier to reach from big cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
Local Business and Events
The only business in Broadkill Beach is The Broadkill Store. It's a general store where you can buy sandwiches and groceries. They also sell bait and tackle for fishing. You can find beach toys, souvenirs, and even homemade donuts on the weekends! The store can also help you arrange rentals for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Fourth of July Parade
Every year, residents hold a fun, family-friendly Fourth of July parade. If you have the right view, you might even see fireworks from other towns. These include Cape May, NJ, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach.
