89°
Chance Rain Showers
31%
65
Sussex County, DE · Delaware Bay
Slaughter Beach
An official horseshoe crab sanctuary since 2004 — the tiny town banned harvest to protect the spawning that draws red knots and thousands of crabs every May-June. Quiet Delaware Bay shoreline with a public pavilion, educational displays, and some of the best horseshoe-crab viewing on the East Coast.
Today's Conditions
Great day for photography.
Bacteria above EPA action level · 71°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West 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 9pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 31% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 71°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- Bacteria above EPA action level — recent usgs sample exceeded the federal beach action threshold
48 /100
ok
32 Swim
57 Sunbathe
70 Walk
33 Fish
74 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
89°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
5 mph
W
Rain
31%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
71°F
Refreshing
Water Quality
Above threshold
246 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 12d ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:37 AM
Sunset
8:30 PM
Moon · 89%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:53 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 7:18 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 1:31 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 7:43 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms
76%
15
80°
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
44
81°
Sunny
2%
82
86°
Sunny
3%
82
91°
Mostly Sunny
5%
74
93°
Sunny
10%
74
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 31% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°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.
Major
8:50 PM - 10:50 PM
Minor
2:20 AM - 3:20 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
5:40 PM - 6:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free public parking at the pavilion behind the fire station and at access roads.
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed (6-ft max) with a Delaware state pet license. Stay off dunes and away from nesting-bird and horseshoe-crab zones.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Slaughter Beach, DE 19963
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Slaughter Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Slaughter Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Slaughter Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs must be leashed (6-ft max) with a Delaware state pet license. Stay off dunes and away from nesting-bird and horseshoe-crab zones.
Is there an entry fee at Slaughter Beach?
Entry to Slaughter Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Slaughter Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Slaughter Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Slaughter Beach?
Amenities at Slaughter Beach include pavilion, restrooms, educational displays, picnic shelter.
When is the water warmest at Slaughter 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 Slaughter Beach located?
Slaughter Beach is in Sussex County, DE, at Slaughter Beach, DE 19963.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS