84°
Sunny
0%
59
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
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 78°F water · 84°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 15 to 20 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 1:09pm edt until september 10 at 10:00am edt by nws mount holly nj
59 /100
good
46 Swim
66 Sunbathe
80 Walk
75 Photo
Best for walking today
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 1:09PM EDT until September 10 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Southwest 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...Until 10 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Clear
Wind
15 to 20 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:15 PM
5.2 ft · in 58m
Wave Height
3.3 ft
4s · SW swell
Rip Current Risk
Low
NWS SRF · PHI · DEZ004 · Issued Sep 9, 3:16 AM
Barometer
29.87 inHg
1012 hPa · buoy 44009
Water Quality
Clean
5 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8d ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:36 AM
Sunset
7:18 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 7:50 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 1:40 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:15 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:28 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:41 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 2:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:03 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:10 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:27 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 3:24 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 9:48 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:50 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 10:11 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 4:10 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 10:30 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:28 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 10:52 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 4:55 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 11:11 PM | High | 4.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:06 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 5:41 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 11:52 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:46 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 12:16 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 6:30 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8557380, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Sunny
3%
80
77°
Chance Rain Showers
38%
65
78°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
23%
75
81°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66%
23
79°
Mostly Sunny
9%
85
80°
Sunny
3%
86
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 15 to 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
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