87°
Chance Rain Showers
29%
74
Kent County, DE · Delaware Bay
Pickering Beach
Pickering Beach Rd, Dover, DE 19901
A tiny Delaware Bay community behind Dover Air Force Base — roughly 30 houses and a handful of public parking spots. Official horseshoe crab sanctuary. Swimming is not recommended (shore turns to mud toward low tide) but walking, kayaking, and horseshoe-crab viewing in May-June are excellent.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
87°F air · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. 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 showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 87°F air — ideal beach weather
- 29% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
74 /100
great
70 Swim
71 Sunbathe
77 Walk
74 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
87°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
5 mph
SW
Rain
29%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
8:34 PM
6.4 ft · in 39m
Water Quality
Clean
20 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:37 AM
Sunset
8:31 PM
Moon · 89%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:24 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 2:18 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:34 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Showers And Thunderstorms
78%
15
80°
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
31%
45
82°
Sunny
3%
82
86°
Sunny
4%
82
90°
Mostly Sunny
5%
74
92°
Sunny
9%
75
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Handful of public spots at the end of Pickering Beach Rd.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Pickering Beach Rd, Dover, DE 19901
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Pickering Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Pickering Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Pickering Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs permitted.
Is there an entry fee at Pickering Beach?
Entry to Pickering Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Pickering Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Pickering Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Pickering Beach?
Amenities at Pickering Beach include wildlife viewing.
When is the water warmest at Pickering Beach?
Delaware Bay peaks in July and August at roughly 76-80°F — warmer and calmer than the open Atlantic. Comfortable swimming mid-June through September.
Where is Pickering Beach located?
Pickering Beach is in Kent County, DE, at Pickering Beach Rd, Dover, DE 19901.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS