Best Beach Towns in Delaware (Experience Untouched Coastal Beauty)

Delaware has some of the best beach towns on the East Coast.

For some, the beach is a place to vacation. For others, it’s a way of life.

For DRB Homes, the beach is a place for us to build lifelong dreams into every one of our new homes. In fact, our award-winning team has been personalizing the new home experience up and down the East Coast for decades.

Let’s explore all the best beaches you can enjoy in Delaware and discover what makes each special. Plus, we’ll showcase some great places in Sussex County to find a new home by DRB Homes.

Rehoboth, DE: A Beach Lover's Paradise

Rehoboth Beach is one of the best-known summer spots on the East Coast. With food delights ranging from popcorn and saltwater taffy from the boardwalk to coastal cuisine from any of Rehoboth’s fine dining restaurants, there’s always something special to tickle your tastebuds, including such unforgettable spots as Thrashers Fries, Grotto Pizza, Blue Moon, Back Porch Café, and Salt Air.

Visit the Tangier Outlets when you’re looking for a deal on all the major retail brands from Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Under Armour, Zumiez, and more—remember, Delaware doesn't have sales tax. And when you want to find that unique piece, Rehoboth Beach has boutiques galore.

Redfin reports that the median sale price of a home is up 31.4% since last year. The best thing to do, if you want to spend a lot of time here is to live nearby. You can save a lot of money and get more home by living a short drive from the beach instead of right on it.

And while you’re at Rehoboth soaking up the sun, don’t forget to stop by Funland. This Rehoboth staple has been part of the magic since 1962, and provides families with rides, games, and carnival foods! Entry is free, but rides cost tickets (amount varies per ride). And even better, Funland tickets are “good FOR LIFE,” meaning if you have leftover tickets at the end of your stay, you can use them on your next visit—even if it’s a year away!

Bethany Beach, DE: The Quiet Resort

The calm crash of the waves. The salty air off the sea. The place where one deep breath sooths your very soul. This is Bethany Beach: A more peaceful destination than Rehoboth, where families can enjoy coastal shopping, dining, and plenty of time on the beach with a more laid-back atmosphere.

The best part of Bethany Beach is the feeling of your family being welcomed into the larger family of the community. The Penguin, for example, is a family-owned and family-friendly restaurant that specializes in using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Matt’s Fish Camp is another local favorite that cooks up coastal cuisine perfect for the hungry folks of all ages.

The housing market in Bethany Beach is about the same as Rehoboth Beach, even though cost-per-square-foot dropped 41% since last year. To live the beach life, it’s more economical to have a home a little further away. Close to, but not right on, the sand. 

To make the most of your time at Bethany Beach, don’t forget to hop on the Bethany Beach Trolley. It runs from the Friday before Memorial Day to mid-September and is absolutely free. There are always two trolleys in service, and you can even track them on the Bethany Beach Trolley’s website!

South Bethany Beach, DE: The Best Kept Secret

South Bethany Beach isn’t just the casual name for the beach near the bottom of Bethany Beach. It’s its own special little residential town that is one-of-a-kind (and fairly recent, being only incorporated as a town in 1969). As calm as Bethany Beach is, South Bethany Beach takes that serene atmosphere up to a new level.

This is where you go when you want to get away from all the crowds and congestion of the beaches that have been built up more for tourists. This is where life really is about just hanging out in the sand, splashing in the waves, and exploring the waters on boats.

South Bethany Beach’s housing market is akin to the other beaches. And just like the other beaches, it’s advised to move a little outside to find the most home for your money. Sycamore Chase is just one of those new home communities. Living here will not only put you minutes from South Bethany Beach (and Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island too), but it will also enhance your lifestyle with the very best of single level living near a beautiful wooded area! Plus, if you love golf, you’ll be near multiple courses, including Glen Riddle Golf Club’s two 18-hole championship courses and Ocean Resorts Golf Club picturesque and challenging holes.

Lewes, DE: Where History Meets the Sea

Lewes calls itself “The First Town in the First State.” That means there’s more than just a pretty beach to explore. Every step in Lewes is a step back in time and historical memories whisper at every corner (including a house where you can still see the cannonball that struck it from British bombardment during the War of 1812). Founded in 1631, Lewes sit north of the other Sussex beaches where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Lewes also enjoys the natural wonderland that is Cape Henlopen State Park. Fishing, trails, bike loops, historic tours, a nature center, and other unique experiences can all be found in this 3,000-acre park. And after a day at the Cape Henlopen, you must stop by the oldest commercial building in the county and grab yourself some homemade ice cream! King’s Ice Cream has been delivering award-winning flavors since 1972, and is the go-to spot for a cold dessert.

The housing market is just as competitive as the other beaches, so moving a bit further out is the way to go. Chase Oaks by DRB Homes offers single level living at its best with some home sites and floor plans even offering basements (unique for this area). Woods and ponds paint the community, while homeowners enjoy a 3,000 Sq. Ft. clubhouse and one of the area’s largest pools—all just 20 minutes from the beach. And for those times you want to do some shopping or dining without the summer beach rush, there are many retail stores and restaurants close enough that you don’t have to use major roads to reach them!

Also, a little further out, take a look at The Village of College Park in Georgetown. Here, you can walk to local shops and restaurants, when you’re not spending your time at the beach. Plus, some of our spacious home plans come with basements, which is a rare find in this area. More room is great, especially when it’s in Georgetown’s lowest-priced, new single family home community!

One thing is sure: Lewes will never leave you bored or hungry. Make sure to explore everything it has to offer and enjoy one of the most memorable beach towns in Delaware!

Dewey Beach, DE: The Party Town

This small and calm beach in the off season erupts into a beach party paradise during the summer months. With a nightlife scene that sparkles as much as the sun off the waves during the day, Dewey offers relaxed beach vibes during the day and rock-and-roll at night. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Rehoboth Bay on the other, Dewey Beach is more than just a place of sand and surf: it’s a mindset and a lifestyle all its own.

With so many great places to eat, drink, and listen to live music along (and off) Coastal Highway, we’re just going to touch on a few of our favorites. The Starboard has been pouring and serving fun, tasty food, and delicious drinks for over 60 years. Another fine place to dine is Woody’s Dewey Beach, where you can find some of the best crab cakes around. When you’re in the mood for music, check out Bottle & Cork: an amazing venue featuring live music from different genres and decades. And if you find yourself up late and need a pick-me-up, visit one of The Starboard’s sister restaurants, Starboard Sauced, where you can get legendary pizza until 1:30am every night of the week!

Dewey Beach lets all the watersports come out to play, with one very special addition: skimboarding. Alley Oop Skim will help get you introduced to the sport. And if you practice enough, you can compete in the Zap Pro/Am World Championships, which take place, of course, at Dewey Beach: the “skimboarding capital of the East Coast.”

The housing market in Dewey Beach is much like the other Delaware Beach towns, where competition is the name of the game. However, prices year over year are up a whopping 206.4%. As always, look for homes outside the beaches that offer you an easy ride in without the high housing costs. We recommend Wetherby in Millsboro. This charming community surrounds you with the great outdoors, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, golfing at Baywood Greens and Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club, and Bald Eagle watching at nearby Millsboro Pond—when you’re not heading to the beach, that is. And if you work from home, know that Millsboro has been named one of the top 50 work-from-home cities in the US and Canada by PC Magazine!

Fenwick Island, DE: The Hidden Gem

Our final Delaware Beach to visit is Fenwick Island. The southernmost beach, Fenwick Island has views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lighthouse Cove, Little Assawoman Bay, and neighboring Maryland. Fenwick Island State Park is a mainstay with ocean adventures, beach excursions, and sunsets by the bay. You can even search for ghost grabs at night by flashlight! Fenwick Island is the height of Delaware Beach serenity.

And there’s so many fun things for your family to do here. Venture through the Discover Sea Shipwreck Museum and explore around 10,000 recovered artifacts from shipwrecks. Challenge each other’s skill and bravery at Viking Golf and Thunder Lagoon Water Park, where mini-golf, go-carts, and waterslides await! And make sure to stop by Seaside Country Store for a 50+ year tradition of homemade fudge, gourmet food, classic candy, cheese spreads, and unique gifts, clothes, and collectibles you just won’t find anywhere else.

Living directly in Fenwick Island is quite expensive: 500% higher than the national average, to be exact. For one final time we offer our best advice: live near the beach and not directly on it to get more home for your money. A little drive isn’t bad if it gets you the sandy life you crave and all the home you desire.

And as the southern most of Delaware’s beaches, Fenwick Island gives you even more places to find a home: like over the border in Maryland! Cambridge has the heart of a Delaware beach town and is just over the Bay Bridge. Here, you can find the DRB Homes community of Pintail Landing: new townhomes in an established and serene community. Local shopping and dining destinations are always close, as is Route 50 for easy access to the beaches. And if a single family home is what you seek, look no further than The Tides at River Marsh, coming soon. Enjoy a day on the beautiful Choptank River on your boat from the resort marina, play a round of golf at the River Marsh Golf Club, or relax at the spa. Ample shopping just across from the community entry, a wide variety of restaurants within 3 miles, and proximity to Route 50 put the everything close to your doorstep. With many of our homes having wood, creek, and golf course views, The Tides at River Marsh is a community you’ll adore calling home.

Come Home to the Best Beach Towns in Delaware

Whether you're searching for a glorious and picturesque getaway or an adorable and memorable escape, Delaware's beach towns offer it all. Each one is different, but they are all truly unforgettable. From the sands at Rehoboth to the history at Lewes to the waves at Fenwick Island and every beach in between, Delaware Beaches are ready to welcome you home.

And finding the perfect home near a Delaware beach town has never been easier. DRB Homes has some amazing communities and even more amazing home just a short drive from every major beach, many with some resort-quality amenities of their very own. Don’t forget your bathing suit, and get ready to be lost in the coastal charm and seaside beauty that awaits at all the best beach towns in Delaware.