Cape Henlopen State Park Beach
Lewes, DE
Where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, with dunes so tall the park built an observation tower just to look out over them. Locals from Lewes treat it as their backyard beach, well away from the boardwalk scene down in Rehoboth.
Lewes locals treat this as their backyard beach away from the Rehoboth boardwalk scene, the World War II era observation tower is worth the climb before you settle in.
How we score beachesClimb the World War II era observation tower for a view over the dunes before you pick a spot to settle in.
Leashed dogs are banned from the park's main swimming and sunbathing beaches from May 1 through September 30, and are only allowed on non-lifeguarded sections of the beach year-round.
Where the bay meets the ocean, water warms into the low to mid 70s by August, the same stretch that overlaps the tail end of hurricane season. Spring and fall bring strong winds off the point, good for the observation tower views, less so for a swim.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Gordon's Pond
A multi-use beach south of the main swimming area, reached by its own trail and boardwalk over the pond and marsh rather than through the main park entrance.
Parking: A large lot off Ocean Drive that fills by mid morning on peak summer weekends.
Access: A boardwalk trail crosses the pond and dunes to the beach, about a half mile each way.
Local tip: Leashed dogs are allowed here even in summer, unlike the main lifeguarded beach, which makes it the go to access point for anyone bringing a dog in season.
Get directions →Herring Point
The park's surfing beach, with the most consistent break in Cape Henlopen and a road that leads straight to the sand for surf fishing permit holders.
Parking: Roadside pull offs and a small lot along Dune Road; a surf fishing vehicle permit is required to drive onto the beach itself.
Access: A short walk from the roadside parking down to the beach.
Local tip: This is also one of the few spots in the park where dogs are allowed even during the summer season, since it's managed as a non-swimming, multi-use beach.
Get directions →The Point
The sandy spit at the very tip of the cape, where the bay meets the ocean, accessible by permitted vehicle. It closes every year from March through early fall to protect nesting shorebirds.
Parking: Vehicle access only, with a surf fishing permit; no regular parking lot serves this spot.
Local tip: Check the park's current closure dates before planning a trip out here. It reopens most years once nesting season wraps up in the fall.
Get directions →Fishing Pier
A bayside area built for anglers rather than swimmers, with a 24-hour fishing pier, a bait and tackle shop, and kayak rentals, but no vehicles or dogs allowed.
Parking: A dedicated lot serves the pier and bait shop, separate from the ocean side beach lots.
Local tip: Come for sunrise if you want the pier to yourself; it gets busy with anglers by mid morning most of the year.
Get directions →More Atlantic Coast beaches
Coast Guard Beach
Eastham, MA · Atlantic Coast
A National Seashore beach backed by grassy dunes and a tidal marsh, with clean Atlantic surf and one of the Cape's most scenic approaches on foot from the parking area.
Surfside Beach
Nantucket, MA · Atlantic Coast
Open Atlantic swell and a wide sandy shoreline about three miles from Nantucket town, popular with locals for its bodysurfing waves and quieter, less commercial feel.
Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY · Atlantic Coast
A classic Long Island beach with six and a half miles of shoreline, a landmark water tower, boardwalk, and a large outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts through the summer.