70°
Sunny
0%
68
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Bethany Beach
Family-focused Delaware beach town. No alcohol on the beach, a small quiet boardwalk (about a half mile), and a reputation for being the calmest of the Delaware beach towns. "Quiet resort" zoning keeps the height limit low and the chain restaurants out.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 58. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 70°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
Safety
- Moderate rip current risk — nws: rip currents possible in the surf zone
60 /100
good
45 Swim
71 Sunbathe
81 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
70°F
Clear
Wind
5 mph
SE
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next High Tide
11:41 PM
4.6 ft · in 2.3h
Wave Height
2.6 ft
11s · ESE swell
Rip Current Risk
Moderate
NWS SRF · PHI · DEZ004 · Issued Jun 3, 7:16 AM
Tomorrow: Low
Water Quality
Clean
10 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:37 AM
Sunset
8:19 PM
Moon · 88%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:23 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:28 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 5:04 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 11:41 PM | High | 4.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Sunny
1%
75
83°
Sunny
0%
75
84°
Mostly Sunny
1%
75
85°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
45%
24
68°
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
26%
52
69°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
22%
57
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Metered and paid lots.
Dogs
Leashed dogs October 1 - May 14 only. Banned entirely during summer.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking
Address
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Bethany Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Bethany Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Bethany Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs October 1 - May 14 only. Banned entirely during summer.
Is there an entry fee at Bethany Beach?
Entry to Bethany Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Bethany Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Bethany Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Bethany Beach?
Amenities at Bethany Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, restrooms, restaurants, showers.
When is the water warmest at Bethany Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Bethany Beach located?
Bethany Beach is in Sussex County, DE, at Bethany Beach, DE 19930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS