Regional Guide · 36 beaches

Chesapeake Bay Beaches

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States — 200 miles long, fed by 150 rivers and streams, and lined with over 11,000 miles of shoreline. Maryland's portion includes 123 public beaches across 13 counties, ranging from major state parks to tiny community access points. Bay water is brackish (saltier than rivers, less salty than ocean), warms up earlier in the season than the Atlantic, and supports a legendary blue crab and oyster fishery. The Bay is protected enough that swimming conditions are calm on most days — very different from the open ocean.

Current Conditions

Average water temperature: 66°F

Across 36 monitored stations on the Chesapeake Bay.

When to Go

May through September for swimming. Water hits comfortable (72°F+) temperatures by early June in most years. Peak jellyfish season is July-August in the mid and lower Bay.

Watch Out For

Post-rainfall bacteria advisories are real — avoid swimming within 48 hours of heavy rain. Sea nettles (jellyfish) get thick in the mid-to-lower Bay in midsummer; upper Bay beaches near Cecil, Kent, and Harford counties have fewer nettles due to freshwater inflow.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Smith Point Beach

Northumberland County

Great day for a beach walk.

71°F water

Public Landing Beach

Worcester County

Decent day for photography.

70°F water 66°F air 12 to 18 mph wind

Rocky Gap State Park

Allegany County

Skip the beach today.

53°F air 15 to 18 mph wind

Janes Island State Park

Somerset County

Skip the beach today.

70°F water 62°F air 14 to 26 mph wind

Cape Charles Beach

Northampton County

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 66°F air 17 to 28 mph wind

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area

Northampton County

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 67°F air 14 to 25 mph wind

Belle Isle State Park

Lancaster County

Skip the beach today.

71°F water 63°F air 9 to 16 mph wind

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Somerset County

Skip the beach today.

70°F water 61°F air 15 to 25 mph wind

Oxford Beach

Skip the beach today.

70°F water 60°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

St. Michaels Waterfront Beach

Skip the beach today.

70°F water 60°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Martinak State Park

Caroline County

Skip the beach today.

70°F water 59°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

North Beach

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 60°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Brownies Beach (Bayfront Park)

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 60°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Breezy Point Beach

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 58°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Calvert Cliffs State Park

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 59°F air 9 to 15 mph wind

Kiptopeke State Park

Northampton County

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 66°F air 16 to 26 mph wind

Elk Neck State Park

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 12 to 21 mph wind

Hammerman Beach (Gunpowder Falls)

Baltimore County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 58°F air 10 to 20 mph wind

Rocky Point Beach & Park

Baltimore County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 56°F air 12 to 20 mph wind

Flag Ponds Nature Park

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 59°F air 10 to 22 mph wind

Rock Hall Beach

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 58°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Terrapin Nature Area & Beach

Queen Annes County

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 60°F air 15 to 20 mph wind

Cove Point Beach

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 59°F air 10 to 22 mph wind

Beverly Triton Nature Park

Anne Arundel County

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 57°F air 10 to 16 mph wind

Downs Park

Anne Arundel County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 60°F air 10 to 17 mph wind

Sandy Point State Park

Anne Arundel County

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 13 to 22 mph wind

Betterton Beach

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 58°F air 10 to 20 mph wind

Fort Smallwood Park

Anne Arundel County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 57°F air 12 to 21 mph wind

Mayo Beach Park

Anne Arundel County

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 55°F air 14 to 22 mph wind

Point Lookout State Park

St Mary's County

Skip the beach today.

64°F water 64°F air 14 to 23 mph wind

Hart-Miller Island State Park

Baltimore County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 59°F air 10 to 18 mph wind

North Point State Park

Baltimore County

Skip the beach today.

63°F water 56°F air 14 to 23 mph wind

Matapeake Beach & Dog Park

Queen Annes County

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 15 to 25 mph wind

Tolchester Beach

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 55°F air 15 to 25 mph wind

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 59°F air 15 to 25 mph wind

Claiborne Landing

Skip the beach today.

66°F water 56°F air 15 to 25 mph wind