87°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
18%
78
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.
87°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 87°F air — ideal beach weather
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
81 /100
great
83 Swim
77 Sunbathe
84 Walk
76 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
87°F
Clear
Wind
10 mph
SW
Rain
18%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
80°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Wave Height
2.6 ft
5s · SSW swell
Rip Current Risk
Low
NWS SRF · PHI · DEZ004 · Issued Jun 26, 7:13 AM
Water Quality
Clean
5 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10d ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:37 AM
Sunset
8:28 PM
Moon · 89%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:03 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 6:56 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:41 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 7:21 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
80°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66%
31
78°
Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Fog
27%
69
79°
Sunny
1%
82
83°
Sunny
2%
82
86°
Mostly Sunny
7%
82
87°
Sunny
11%
82
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
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