12 Best Dog-friendly Beaches in Delaware 2024
More than 12 gorgeous beaches are found in Delaware, USA, and several welcome pets. These South Carolina beaches allow dogs and provide a variety of fun activities, including rafting, surfing, fishing, camping, etc.
Pet owners need to be aware of pet laws to prevent pointless headaches. Many dog-friendly beaches only let dogs during certain hours, and they must always be on a leash. Some beaches have modern amenities like toilets, travel necessities, lifeguards, and safety gear to make the vacation more fun and secure.
12 Best Dog-friendly Beaches in Delaware
1. Rehoboth Beach Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic Ocean in Sussex County, Delaware. The beach is famous among tourists for its top-rated hotels, award-winning boardwalks, beautiful homes, and tax-free shopping area. It has 30 miles of pristine coastline and a wide parking area.
Tourists enjoy kayaking, ferry riding, skimboarding, paddle boarding, and surfing. The beach authority hosts many unique programs year-round, like Scarecrow Trail & Show, the Sea Witch Festival, 5k races, and Jazz festivals.
- Timings: The beach is open from 6 am to 10 pm.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required. The parking fee usually remains $3/ hour; however, it may change over time.
Nearby Visiting Places
Funland amusement park, Jungle Jim’s Seasonal water park with games, Browseabout Books shop, Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats shop.
Rehoboth Beach Rentals
Top-rated rentals near the beach are Rehoboth Beach Vacation Rentals, Seachange Vacation Rentals, etc.
Address: Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971-2143
Read Rehoboth Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
2. Bethany Beach
Bethany is a beach town in the Sussex country of Delaware, with a population of around 1000. The expansive, never-ending length of sand beaches and boardwalks is well-known among tourists. Bethany Beach trip is a perfect weekend vacation, a 5-hour journey from New York.
This seaside community provides easy access to beach concerts and movies. Professional guards secure the beach.
- Timings: The beach remains open from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Entry Fee: The beach is free to visit. From May 15 to September 15, free parking is available for 15 minutes only. For the rest of the month, parking is free.
Nearby Visiting Places
Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf, Garfield Parkway, DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, and Island Watersports are the most visited places here.
Bethany Beach Rentals
Top rentals near the beach are Long & Foster Vacation Rentals, Crowley Associations, etc.
Address: Bethany Beach, Delaware, United States
Read Bethany Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
3. Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Southern Delaware, with a scenic view of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a famous tourist spot for locals and international visitors. A pet license is required by the authority to allow dogs.
Tourists enjoy the movie nights near the beach with great delight. The beach has modern restaurants, amusements, specialty stores, nightclubs, a tax-free shopping complex, etc.
- Timings: The beach is usually accessible from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Entry Fee: From September 16 to May 14, parking is free. Pay to park in Dewey Beach from May 15 through September 15. However, every Monday through Wednesday from 5 pm to 11 pm, all metered and permitted spaces provide free parking during the summer!
Nearby Visiting Places
The Starboard, Woody’s Dewey Beach shop, Nalu Dewey Beach restaurant, Starboard, Woody’s Dewey Beach shop, Nalu Dewey Beach restaurant, etc., are nearby.
Dewey Beach Rentals
Many dog-friendly hotels, like Seachange Vacation Rentals, Canalside Inn, and Hyatt Place, are available on the beach.
Address: Dewey Beach, Delaware 19971, USA
4. Lewes Beach
Lewes Beach offers an excellent spot for swimming, fishing, water sports, and boating in Delaware. Miles of gorgeous beaches, nature paths, and bird sanctuaries are found in this area. There are places on the beach where beach chairs and umbrellas are hired. The beach also keeps hosting interesting events like Lewes Lights.
Many fine restaurants are available on the beach, like Green Turtle, 1776 Restaurant, Agave Restaurant & Bar, Arenas Daily, etc.
- Timings: Lewes Beach remains open from 6 am to midnight.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required. Parking charges may vary from $2 to $3 per hour.
Nearby Visiting Places
Cape Henlopen State Park, Zwaanendael Museum, The Lewes Historical Society Main Campus, Lightship Overfalls LV-118 etc.
Lewes Beach Rentals
The most popular hotels on the beach are Red Mill Inn, Sleep Inn & Suits, The Hampton Inn, the Inn at Canal Square, etc.
Address: 206 Bay Ave, Lewes, Delaware 19958, US
Read Lewes Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
5. Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island is famous for its dog-friendly beaches. The resort town is in Delaware, USA, with around 400 persons. Fenwick Island is excellent for kayaking, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, and sunbathing.
The beach is lovely and uncrowded for most of the months. A fire control tower from World War II that assisted in defending the shoreline is located in the park.
- Timings: The beach remains open from 8 am to 7 pm.
- Entry Fee: For Delaware citizens, the entry fee is $6, while for outsiders, it is $4.
Nearby Visiting Places
Top tourist attractions on the island are Golf Down Under, Fenwick Island Lighthouse, Papa Grande’s Coastal Taquería, Pottery Place, Perks Cafe, etc.
Fenwick Island Rentals
Top rentals near the island resort Pointe Vacation Rentals, John F Kleinstuber & Associates Inc, Indian Home, etc.
Address: Fenwick Island, DE 19944, USA
Read Fenwick Island State Park Dog Rules, Delaware
6. Woodland Beach
Woodland Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Kent County, Delaware. This beach rarely becomes overcrowded. Beautiful sea glasses are found in abundance at the beach. This Delaware dog-friendly beach allows a 24-hour fishing pier and a boat ramp access.
Crabs are found in ample amounts, but check the crab-catching rules and regulations beforehand. Dogs are allowed on the beach, but owners must abide by the beach regulations.
- Timings: Dogs are allowed from Early morning to evening in the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area.
- Entry Fee: Depends on the season.
Nearby Visiting Places
Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC), Pickering Beach, Pickering Beach, Constitution Park, Old State House, Air Mobility Command Museum, First State Heritage Park, etc., are nearby.
Woodland Beach Rentals
Woodland Beach Resort Lakeside Smoke, Eastern Shore Get Away, Bowers Beach Townhome, Days Inn by Wyndham Dover Downtown, Red Roof Inn & Suites Dover Downtown, etc.
Address: 100 Beach Ave, Smyrna, DE 19977, United States
7. Fowler Beach
Fowler Beach is an excellent dog-friendly beach near Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The length of this public beach was roughly 0.8 miles. A trash barrel is on the beach, but permanent toilets and drinking water sources are not there.
There is blue water and grey sand; no special footwear is required. Few wildlife animals are seen on the beach. As the beach remains less crowded, pet owners find it easy to take their pups here for a walk and other activities.
- Timings: The beach remains open all day, and lifeguards are unavailable.
- Entry Fee: The entry fee is free.
Nearby Visiting Places
Cape Henlopen State Park, Nassau Valley Vineyards-Winery, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Gordons Pond State Park Area, Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, etc., are nearby.
Fowler Beach Rentals
Top-rated hotels in Fowler Beach, Delaware, are Hampton Inn Rehoboth Beach, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, etc.
Address: Fowler Beach, Delaware 19963, United States
8. Broadkill Beach
Broadkill Beach is located in the Sussex County of Delaware, USA. The beach has direct waterfront access, and numerous activities like kayaking, surf fishing, paddle boarding, and swimming are enjoyed here. Paddleboards and kayak rentals are arranged at the shop. Summer is the best time to visit Broadkill Beach as it gives the best scenic view.
The beach is rich with species, like horseshoe crabs. Broadkill Beach, Delaware, became the first Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary in 2000.
- Timings: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: The beach is free to enter. However, parking fees are required in some areas.
Nearby Visiting Places
Nearby attractions of the beach are Georgetown Speedway, Rookery Golf Course, Milton Memorial Park, Dogfish Head Memorial Tour, etc.
Broadkill Beach Rentals
Top-rated hotels in Broadkill Beach, Delaware, are Hotel Blue, Mansion Farm Inn, Inn at Canal Square, Hotel Rodney, etc.
Address: Broadkill Beach, Sussex County, DE 19968, USA
Read Broadkill Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
9. Bowers Beach
Bowers Beach is located in the Kate County of Delaware, USA. The beach is a perfect place for those who love water sports. Some Popular beach attractions are the Maritime Museum, Delaware Bayshore Byway, Little Creek Wildlife Area, etc. Tourists can enjoy beach activities like kayaking, shore fishing, cycling, bird watching, paddle boarding, and charter fishing here.
Dogs are allowed on the beach but only in selected months. A good number of fine restaurants near the beach offer delectable local cuisines.
- Timing: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required.
Nearby Visiting Places
JP’s on the Wharf, Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, DE Turf Sports Complex, Captain’s Lady Charters, Bowers Beach Maritime Museum, etc.
Bowers Beach Rentals
Some favorite tourist hotels near the beach are Dovers Down Hotel & Casino, Home2Suites, Residence Inn Dover, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, etc.
Address: Bowers, DE, United States
Read Bowers Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
10. Prime Hook Beach
Prime Hook Beach is a place of National Wildlife Refuge. The area is full of wildlife and foxes, shorebirds, and ospreys. It is a dog-friendly beach that is free from crowds. Pet owners find it easy to take their pups here. Visitors can do Fishing, Wildlife watching, Photography, and Ranger-led programs here.
The national refugee is also close to the beach and is completely free to visit.
- Timings: Early morning to evening.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee is required.
Nearby Visiting Places
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, Broadkill Beach, etc.
Prime Hook Beach Rentals
Famous holiday rentals on the beach are the Buoy House, The Lookout, Water Front, Bayside Retreat, etc.
Address: Prime Hook Beach, Delaware, USA
11. Cape Henlopen State Park Beach
Cape Henlopen State Park Beach is famous among dog owners. Lifeguards are available on the beach for a few selected months.
Basic amenities like restrooms, food outlets, wheelchairs, and showers are available. Things like mats and umbrellas are rented on the beach. However, some areas of the beach need better network connectivity.
- Timings: It is open from 9 am to 4 pm from Wednesday to Monday.
- Entry Fee: $5 is required for residents of DE and $10 for outsiders.
Nearby Visiting Places
The town is rich in tourist attractions; visit the Nature Center, Touch Tank, Fort Miles Historic Area, etc.
Cape Henlopen State Park Beach Rentals
Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center 3-star hotel, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach 3-star hotel, Summer Place Hotel 2-star hotel, etc.
Address: Pretty Man Ln, Lewes, DE 19958, United States
Read Cape Henlopen State Park Dog Rules, Delaware
12. Slaughter Beach
Slaughter Beach is in the Sussex County of Delaware. Due to its stunning, peaceful natural location and scenic beauty, it’s called the “Jewel of the Delaware Bay.” The beach is home to Mispillion Lighthouse and Milford Neck Wildlife Area. It is also known as a horseshoe crab sanctuary for its vast numbers.
The beach authority regularly hosts creative and unique events. A good number of dining and lodging options are available near the beach. Top-rated restaurants near the beach are The Backyard, My Sister’s Fault, Irish Eyes, etc. Dogs are allowed on the beach but in some selected months.
- Timings: Early morning to evening
- Entry Fee: As of now, no entry fee or parking fee is required.
Nearby Visiting Places
DuPont Nature Center, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Fowler Beach, Milford Neck Wildlife Area, Delaware Seashore State Park, etc.
Slaughter Beach Rentals
Rodeway Inn & Suites is a 2-star hotel, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Milford is a 2-star hotel, etc.
Address: Slaughter Beach, Delaware 19963, USA
Read Slaughter Beach Dog Rules, Delaware
Dog Friendly Beaches Near You
Read Why Do Dogs Rarely Get Sick?
Conclusion
Some of these Delaware dog beaches may require a minimal fee, but most are free to tourists. Dog owners must carry dog food and disposal packets together with other necessities. All pet owners must comply with pet restrictions on the beaches. Before making any plans, tourists must check the weather forecast. The same policies are also applicable to international travelers.
