87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
35
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 76°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 10pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 3am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 87°F air — ideal beach weather
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Water
- 76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — tornado watch issued july 18 at 1:55pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws mount holly nj
20 /100
skip
0 Swim
50 Sunbathe
29 Walk
28 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.7 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 ft expected. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 NM and Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 NM. * WHEN...From noon today to midnight EDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Weather alert in effect
Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Atmosphere
Air Temp
87°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
S
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
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
76°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.9 ft
5s · S swell
Rip Current Risk
Low
NWS SRF · PHI · DEZ004 · Issued Jul 18, 7:42 PM
Water Quality
Clean
5 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 11d ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:50 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:10 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 6:23 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 12:44 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 6:35 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:59 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:12 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:35 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 7:33 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:48 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 7:59 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 2:26 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 8:33 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:37 AM | High | 3.8 ft |
| 8:47 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 3:19 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 9:34 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:32 AM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 9:35 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 4:15 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 10:37 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:31 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 10:25 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 5:11 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 11:38 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 11:16 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 6:02 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8557380, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
82°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
15%
49
79°
Sunny
4%
85
82°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
68%
10
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms
79%
14
80°
Chance Rain Showers
31%
69
81°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
78
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Bethany Beach today?
Bethany Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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