List of beaches in Delaware facts for kids

Aerial map of the Delaware Beaches

The Delaware Beaches are a beautiful stretch of coastline found along the Atlantic Ocean. They are located in the eastern part of Sussex County, Delaware, which is in the southern part of the state. These beaches are super popular for visitors from nearby cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Wilmington.

Besides sandy shores, the area has lots of fun things to do! You can find many restaurants, places for fishing, golf courses, and exciting boardwalks. Plus, Delaware offers tax-free shopping, which is a big bonus for visitors! The water quality at the Delaware Beaches is also top-notch. It was ranked number 1 among 30 states with coastlines in both 2011 and 2014.

Rehoboth Beach is one of the most popular Delaware Beaches.

Exploring the Delaware Beaches

There are many different beaches and towns to visit along the Delaware coast. They stretch from the northern areas near the Delaware River and Delaware Bay all the way down to the southern tip of the state.

Here's a list of some of the beaches you can explore, going from north to south:

Beaches on the Delaware River / Delaware Bay

• Augustine Beach
• Woodland Beach
• Fraland Beach
• Pickering Beach
• Kitts Hummock
• Bowers Beach
• Bennett's Pier Beach
• Big Stone Beach
• Slaughter Beach
• Fowler Beach
• Primehook Beach
• Broadkill Beach
• Lewes (This town is on the Delaware Bay)

Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean

Old World War II towers at Cape Henlopen State Park.

• Cape Henlopen State Park
• North Shores
• Henlopen Acres
• Rehoboth Beach
• Dewey Beach
• Indian Beach
• Delaware Seashore State Park
  • Tower Beach
  • Coin Beach
• Sussex Shores
• Bethany Beach
• Middlesex Beach
• South Bethany
• York Beach
• Fenwick Island State Park
• Fenwick Island

History of the Name

Sign welcoming visitors to the state's beaches in Fenwick Island.

In 2003, the government of Delaware decided to officially call its coastal area the "Delaware Beaches." This was because people in Delaware always called their coastline the "beach," not the "shore" like the Jersey Shore in New Jersey. A new law was passed, and the DelDOT changed road signs to say "Beaches" instead of "Shore Points." This helps everyone know they've arrived at the right place!

The Economy of the Beaches

The Delaware Beaches are very important for the state's economy. According to SeaGrant Delaware, these beaches bring in a lot of money each year. They generate about $6.9 billion annually and contribute over $711 million in tax revenue. This shows how popular and valuable the beaches are for Delaware.