91°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
38
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Fenwick Island State Park
36880 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
The Delaware state park just north of the Maryland line. Quieter than the resort towns, with three miles of undeveloped beach. Good surfing by Mid-Atlantic standards.
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 91. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 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 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
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 — severe thunderstorm watch issued july 18 at 2:14pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws wakefield va
22 /100
skip
0 Swim
57 Sunbathe
31 Walk
12 Fish
30 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.
Weather alert in effect
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 2:14PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
S
Rain
16%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
83°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
10 #/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
83°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
15%
49
83°
Sunny
5%
85
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
67%
16
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms
80%
14
79°
Chance Rain Showers
32%
68
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
78
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Major
3:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Minor
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Major
3:50 PM - 5:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Park lot.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited May 1 - Sep 30.
Entry Fee
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (fee season March 1–late Nov)
Address
36880 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Fenwick Island State Park today?
Fenwick Island State Park 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 Fenwick Island State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited May 1 - Sep 30.
Is there an entry fee at Fenwick Island State Park?
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (fee season March 1–late Nov)
Are there lifeguards at Fenwick Island State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Fenwick Island State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Fenwick Island State Park?
Amenities at Fenwick Island State Park include lifeguards, bathhouse, showers, surf rentals.
When is the water warmest at Fenwick Island State Park?
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 Fenwick Island State Park located?
Fenwick Island State Park is in Sussex County, DE, at 36880 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS