87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
18%
35
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
South Bethany Beach
402 Evergreen Rd, South Bethany, DE 19930
The quiet residential Atlantic beach south of Bethany — less commercial than Bethany proper, no boardwalk, and strictly "carry-in, carry-out" with no trash bins on the sand. Beach rules are strictly enforced by the Town of South Bethany.
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12:07 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 6:04 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:35 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 6:14 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:53 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 6:51 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 1:29 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 7:14 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | High | 2.6 ft |
| 7:38 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 2:24 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 8:17 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:29 AM | High | 2.4 ft |
| 8:27 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 3:20 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 9:24 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:22 AM | High | 2.2 ft |
| 9:18 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 4:19 PM | High | 2.7 ft |
| 10:30 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:18 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 10:11 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 5:17 PM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 11:31 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:16 AM | High | 2.1 ft |
| 11:03 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 6:12 PM | High | 2.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8558690, 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
Paid permit parking required daily May 15–Sep 15 (10 AM–5 PM, midnight–6 AM). $20/day permits at the Town Hall kiosk.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on beach May 15 – Oct 15. Leashed off-season with cleanup required.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; $20/day parking permit in-season
Address
402 Evergreen Rd, South Bethany, DE 19930
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at South Bethany Beach today?
South 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 South Bethany Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on beach May 15 – Oct 15. Leashed off-season with cleanup required.
Is there an entry fee at South Bethany Beach?
Entry to South Bethany Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at South Bethany Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol South 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 South Bethany Beach?
Amenities at South Bethany Beach include lifeguards, beach, kiosk parking permits.
When is the water warmest at South 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 South Bethany Beach located?
South Bethany Beach is in Sussex County, DE, at 402 Evergreen Rd, South Bethany, DE 19930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS