One thing is clear after Memorial Day weekend: People are eager to get back to the Delaware beaches and soak in that sea breeze – and the beautiful weather lately is only helping push those summer dreams along.
Is the ocean calling you this weekend, too? Then we’ve got you covered.
For anyone looking to visit the beaches during the weekend of June 3, this guide will help answer questions ranging from dining to parking to the latest weather reports.
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Lifeguard shortages affecting Lewes
A nationwide lifeguard shortage did not spare the Delaware beaches, and Lewes is currently working on rebuilding its lifeguarding staff.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Lewes staffed at least two lifeguard chairs on its municipal beaches. This comes after the resort town originally announced that it would leave its beaches completely unguarded this summer due to staffing shortages.
Now, after the community showed up with support and lifeguard connections, Lewes hired a new lifeguard captain, Strohm Edwards, who will help grow the program.
The plan is to have the beaches fully staffed with lifeguards by June 15, according to Kent Buckson, the longtime beach patrol captain who stepped up to help Lewes find a new captain.
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No matter where people are visiting, lifeguards like Buckson remind people to check in with the municipality or beach patrol headquarters to find out where the lifeguard stands are and always swim where they can see those guards.
Even when lifeguards are present, resort towns like Rehoboth Beach remind visitors to always keep an eye on each other and swim with a buddy.
What do the beaches look like?
After a nor’easter earlier in May, many of the Delaware beaches saw steep cliffs in the dunes and damage to the dune crossings.
While the Delaware beaches are now ready to welcome visitors for the summer, there are a few things you should know before you go.
First, a few beach entrances remain closed.
In Rehoboth Beach, two crossings – Surf Avenue and one at Maryland Avenue – are expected to be closed for the weekend of June 3. The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is working to repair those dune crossings.
In South Bethany, all beach walkways have reopened except for the one at South 3rd Street, according to Town Manager Maureen Hartman. This entrance included an accessible ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that ramp was wiped out in the storm.
DNREC is responsible for repairing or replacing the ramp, Hartman said. In the meantime, anyone needing assistance to access the beach can contact the South Bethany Beach Patrol to schedule a day and time in advance to use a beach wheelchair.
Multiple State Park beach entrances – both for driving and walking – were also closed Memorial Day weekend.
As of Sunday, the following dune crossings were still closed:
- Navy crossing at Cape Henlopen State Park (drive-on)
- The northernmost pedestrian crossing at The Point in Cape Henlopen
- Keybox, Conquest and Faithful Steward crossings at Delaware Seashore State Park. The Conquest pedestrian crossings are also closed.
The closed locations also had very limited space for drive-on surf fishing because of narrow beaches even during low tide, according to spokesperson Shauna McVey.
The Delaware State Parks encouraged visitors to follow the Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks Facebook pages for updates on closed dune crossings.
All other beach entrances in Lewes, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach are open.
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Beachgoers will also notice that many of the beaches are still narrower at points, especially during high tide. However, towns like Rehoboth are already noticing an improvement, and the beaches will keep widening as the ocean naturally returns some of the sand to the shore.
In Dewey Beach, people may notice that dune crossings are still steeper than normal, according to Town Manager Bill Zolper.
On a positive note: some of these changes on the beach mean Dewey Beach is seeing more of those little pools of water where young kids love to splash around and play, Zolper said.
He also reminds visitors to stay off the dunes except when walking on the marked dune crossings. Whether the dunes have post-and-rope or the typical wooden fencing installed by DNREC, people should never climb or dig into dunes.
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What to expect at restaurants, other beach businesses
Delaware’s beach towns are preparing for a summer that’s as busy – if not busier – than last year.
That means it’s once again a time for this reminder: Have patience, folks.
Many restaurants, bars, and others in the service industry are still facing staffing shortages. While some businesses are getting more help from international students than the past two years when COVID-19 restrictions limited that workforce, several other factors are impacting the seasonal labor shortage this year – especially a lack of affordable housing.
Remember last year when some businesses were limiting hours or services? Visitors could see that again this summer, according to Carol Everhart, president of the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber of Commerce.
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It may be wise to make early reservations, follow your favorite spots on social media or call ahead to stay updated on any changes.
As far as outdoor dining, many beach towns found ways to continue that into the 2022 season. However, Rehoboth Beach no longer allowed parking spaces to be blocked off for dining on public sidewalks. So, don’t expect to see those familiar red barriers in Rehoboth this summer.
OUTDOOR DINING:Rehoboth Beach passes new outdoor dining rules for public sidewalks ahead of 2022 summer
Public health guidelines, COVID cases
The Delaware Division of Public Health reported a rise in COVID-19 cases in its monthly report at the end of May.
The state reported that an average of 19.3% of tests reported to DPH were coming back positive as of June 1. Cases have been on the rise throughout May, compared to March and April.
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While hospitalizations are not nearly as high as they were during the first omicron surge, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has also increased since the spring. The state was reporting 135 people hospitalized and 16 in critical condition this week.
So, what should you do? This is the latest advice from DPH:
- Stay home if sick and get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- There are no mask mandates, but DPH advises masking up in indoor places or if you are at higher risk for illness.
- Get vaccinated and boosted when you’re eligible.
- Stay informed and turn to reliable sources for data, information, and treatment options like de.gov/coronavirus.
Don’t know if you’re eligible for a booster? Check your eligibility with this guidance from the state:
- Children ages 5 and older, if it has been 5 months after their second dose of Pfizer
- People ages 18 and older, if it has been 5 months after their second dose of Moderna
- People ages 18 and older, if it has been 2 months since their initial dose of Johnson & Johnson
- People who qualified for an “additional/fourth” dose of Pfizer or Moderna because they have certain immunocompromising conditions or are 50 years old and older. They can get their booster dose 6 months after receiving their third dose.
Want to know where to receive booster shots? Visit https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/#publichealth.
Parking and transportation
All resort towns from Lewes to Fenwick Island have their seasonal parking rules in place.
Rehoboth Beach set new dates for its parking season – May 15 to Sept. 15 – which matches that of Dewey, Bethany, South Bethany and Fenwick.
Another change to note in Rehoboth: Because of the pandemic, Rehoboth offered free parking after 4 p.m. on Mondays for the past two years. That Meterless Monday program will not continue this summer.
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Both Rehoboth and Lewes increased some parking rates this year. It is now a universal $3 per hour rate in Rehoboth, and Lewes is charging $1.50 downtown and $2.50 at the beaches.
Lewes has several free non-metered parking lots listed on its website, as well as metered lots and spaces on side streets.
When visiting Delaware State Parks like Cape Henlopen, parking is included in the entrance fee.
In Dewey Beach, parking is free in all permit-only and metered spaces Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. only. All other days and times, you must pay to park on public streets.
Fenwick Island and South Bethany mostly require permits to park, but Fenwick offers free parking on its side streets after 4 p.m.
In Bethany Beach, all spaces are either metered or require a permit through Sept. 15.
Many of these towns and cities offer payment through the ParkMobile app.
For more about parking (or State Park fees), visit each beach town’s website:
Consider taking the Beach Bus
Want to forget about parking or paying for gas? Take a bus to the beach. Parking is free at the park and rides in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.
The Beach Bus has already started its routes and will continue seven days a week until September 11. The stops include Rehoboth Beach and the Boardwalk, Lewes, Long Neck, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean City, MD, Millsboro and Georgetown.
The cost to ride the bus is $2 per trip, $4 for a daily pass, $16 for a seven-day pass or $60 for a 30-day pass.
Traveling from northern Delaware or Kent County? The 305 Beach Connection from Wilmington to Rehoboth Beach started last weekend. It runs Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through September 5.
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Riders taking this bus will pay $6 for one-way trips from Wilmington, Christiana Mall and Odessa, and $4 from Dover and South Frederica. A daily pass from New Castle County is $10 and $8 from Kent County.
If traveling around Bethany Beach, the town also offers a trolley with a single route that runs from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and only costs 25 cents per trip.
Weather for the weekend of June 3
It’s looking to be a beautiful sunny weekend at the Delaware beaches.
Starting Friday, beachgoers can expect mostly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service forecast for the Rehoboth Beach area. The temperatures Friday should reach a high near 75 and a low around 63 in the evening.
On Saturday, the skies should stay clear of clouds throughout the day and evening, bringing lots of sunshine. The high is expected near 74, and the evening air will bring the temperatures down to the low 60s again.
Sunday brings a mostly sunny forecast with a high near 70. The weather service is predicting that more clouds will be moving in as evening with a low around 63.
Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@delmarvanow.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.
