57°
Sunny
1%
26
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Cape Henlopen State Park
15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
The Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic at Cape Henlopen — 5,193 acres of dunes, maritime forest, and protected beaches. WWII watchtowers still stand. Multiple distinct beaches (Point, Herring Point, Bay beach). Exceptional birding during migration.
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 20 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 20 mph.
Weather
- 57°F air — chilly for a beach day
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
- 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
26 /100
skip
4 Swim
34 Sunbathe
63 Walk
22 Fish
65 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 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and choppy waters. * WHERE...Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE and Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE. * WHEN...Until 9 AM EST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
57°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
NW
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
31 Good
Ozone · Sussex County
Tomorrow
60°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: clean
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
60°
Sunny
1%
47
60°
Sunny
0%
47
64°
Sunny
0%
60
62°
Sunny
0%
62
59°
Chance Light Rain
34%
35
54°
Chance Light Rain
38%
20
What to Bring Today
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- 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).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:10 PM - 11:10 PM
Minor
4:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
3:20 PM - 4:20 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Park lot.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on guarded beach May 1 - Sep 30. Permitted on unguarded beach and trails.
Entry Fee
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (fee season March 1–late Nov)
Address
15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cape Henlopen State Park today?
Cape Henlopen State Park 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 Cape Henlopen State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on guarded beach May 1 - Sep 30. Permitted on unguarded beach and trails.
Is there an entry fee at Cape Henlopen State Park?
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (fee season March 1–late Nov)
Are there lifeguards at Cape Henlopen State Park?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cape Henlopen State Park during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cape Henlopen State Park?
Amenities at Cape Henlopen State Park include lifeguards, bathhouse, camping, bike trails, historic watchtowers, nature center.
When is the water warmest at Cape Henlopen State Park?
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 Cape Henlopen State Park located?
Cape Henlopen State Park is in Sussex County, DE, at 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS