57°
Sunny
0%
34
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Bethany Beach
Family-focused Delaware beach town. No alcohol on the beach, a small quiet boardwalk (about a half mile), and a reputation for being the calmest of the Delaware beach towns. "Quiet resort" zoning keeps the height limit low and the chain restaurants out.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
NWS alert active · 57°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 46. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Weather
- 57°F air — chilly for a beach day
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 63°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued november 7 at 1:11pm est until november 8 at 9:00am est by nws mount holly nj
34 /100
skip
13 Swim
46 Sunbathe
68 Walk
69 Photo
Best for photography 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued November 7 at 1:11PM EST until November 8 at 9:00AM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 6 ft. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 NM, 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...Until 9 AM EST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
57°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
NW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
31 Good
Ozone · Sussex County
UV Peak
3 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~67m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
59°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
63°F
Cold
Next High Tide
7:18 PM
4.1 ft · in 46m
Wave Height
3.9 ft
10s · SSE swell
Barometer
29.88 inHg
1012 hPa · buoy 44009
Water Quality
No recent sample
Last reading 5w ago: above threshold
USGS · not a current condition
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:33 AM
Sunset
4:54 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:58 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 1:11 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:18 PM | High | 4.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:10 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:39 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 1:55 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:59 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:48 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:18 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 2:35 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:38 PM | High | 3.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:24 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:55 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 3:14 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:16 PM | High | 3.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:59 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:32 AM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 3:52 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:54 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:36 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 10:10 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 4:32 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 10:34 PM | High | 3.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:15 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 10:51 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 5:16 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 11:17 PM | High | 3.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8557380, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
59°
Sunny
1%
54
59°
Sunny
0%
40
63°
Sunny
0%
59
62°
Sunny
0%
62
59°
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
31%
41
54°
Chance Light Rain
36%
21
What to Bring Today
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 63°F
- recommended Layers / windbreaker Only 57°F outside
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Metered and paid lots.
Dogs
Leashed dogs October 1 - May 14 only. Banned entirely during summer.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; paid parking
Address
Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Bethany Beach today?
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 Bethany Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs October 1 - May 14 only. Banned entirely during summer.
Is there an entry fee at Bethany Beach?
Entry to Bethany Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Bethany Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol 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 Bethany Beach?
Amenities at Bethany Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, restrooms, restaurants, showers.
When is the water warmest at 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 Bethany Beach located?
Bethany Beach is in Sussex County, DE, at Bethany Beach, DE 19930.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS