57°
Sunny
0%
34
Sussex County, DE · Atlantic Ocean
Indian River Inlet
Indian River Inlet, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
The inlet connecting Indian River Bay to the Atlantic, spanned by the 2,600-foot Indian River Inlet Bridge. A major fishing destination — surf casting for striped bass, flounder, bluefish, and red drum. Currents here are strong and the swimming isn't casual.
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
Clear, with a low around 47. West wind 15 to 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
34 /100
skip
6 Swim
35 Sunbathe
64 Walk
24 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 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
20 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%
58
59°
Sunny
0%
52
63°
Sunny
0%
62
61°
Sunny
0%
63
59°
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
32%
47
53°
Chance Light Rain
37%
27
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
Delaware Seashore State Park lots.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash outside swim areas.
Entry Fee
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (within Delaware Seashore SP)
Address
Indian River Inlet, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Indian River Inlet today?
Indian River Inlet shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Indian River Inlet dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash outside swim areas.
Is there an entry fee at Indian River Inlet?
$10/vehicle DE, $20/vehicle out-of-state (within Delaware Seashore SP)
Are there lifeguards at Indian River Inlet?
No lifeguards are stationed at Indian River Inlet. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Indian River Inlet?
Amenities at Indian River Inlet include fishing pier, jetty access, marina, bait shop.
When is the water warmest at Indian River Inlet?
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 Indian River Inlet located?
Indian River Inlet is in Sussex County, DE, at Indian River Inlet, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS