Daily Beach Report | Delmarva Beach Guide

Should you go to the beach today?

Yes with caution; choose a guarded beach and use the best weather window. Even on lower-risk days, stay away from jetties and swim near lifeguards.

Best beach picks: Ocean City, MD, Assateague Island, Cape Henlopen, Fenwick Island

Best time to go

8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

What to watch out for

Low

Low rip risk

Even on lower-risk days, stay away from jetties and swim near lifeguards.

Best activities

Beach walks, guarded water activities when permitted, and protected-water alternatives.

Best Times Today

A quick planning grid for the most common beach-day decisions.

Swimming

8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

Surfing

8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Best available combination of wind and rain; confirm surf quality at the beach

Beach walk

Around low tide

Wider, firmer sand around lower water

Fishing

Around the next high tide

Moving water around a tide change

Kayaking / paddleboarding

8:00 AM-11:00 AM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

Sunset photos

7:11 PM-7:56 PM

Avoiding crowds

Before 9:30 AM

Typical lower-crowd arrival window

Beach Safety

Conditions can change quickly. Always follow posted beach flags, lifeguard instructions, and official local advisories.

Rip Current Risk

Low

Risk is lower, but dangerous rip currents can still form near structures and channels.

Swimming Recommendation

Good

Use guarded beaches and follow lifeguard instructions.

Lifeguards

Check locally

Coverage varies by town, beach, time, and season. Swim only where and when guards are on duty.

Thunderstorm Risk

Low

Showers possible

Surf Zone Hazards

Low

Today: 1 ft surf is forecast regionally. Rip-current risk is low; conditions vary by beach and near structures.

Water Quality

Check locally

Check posted advisories and state monitoring resources for the beach you plan to visit.

Ocean & Surf Conditions

Today: 1 ft surf is forecast regionally. Rip-current risk is low; conditions vary by beach and near structures.

Surf Height

Low

1 ft

Surf Quality

Small

Swell

Period

8 seconds

Surf Forecast

Today

Tide Effect

Rising after low tide

Ocean Temp

79°F

Water Comfort

Warm for most swimmers

Surf recommendation: Choose a guarded beach and reassess conditions at the waterline.

Today's Beach Weather

Light rain near 78°F during the last available forecast period.

Current Temp

76°F

Forecast High

82°F

Feels Like

77°F

Sky

Overcast clouds

Humidity

91%

Rain Chance

High

100%

Storm Chance

Moderate

Showers possible

Wind Trend

Steady

Hourly snapshot

8:00 AM

76°F

Overcast clouds

WSW 3-7 mph

Rain 0%

11:00 AM

77°F

Light rain

SW 0-2 mph

Rain 100%

2:00 PM

79°F

Light rain

ENE 0-4 mph

Rain 100%

5:00 PM

82°F

Moderate rain

E 0-4 mph

Rain 100%

8:00 PM

78°F

Light rain

N 0-4 mph

Rain 100%

Wind & Comfort

WSW winds around 3-7 mph are expected near Rehoboth Beach. Speeds should remain fairly steady through the available forecast window.

Current Wind

Good

WSW 3-7 mph

Gusts

Good

Up to 5mph

Direction

WSW

Afternoon Trend

Steady

Beach Impact

Generally manageable for beach setups

Surf Impact

Limited wind-driven texture

Bay Impact

More manageable in protected water

Umbrella / Canopy

Good

Use normal anchoring precautions

Tides

Low Tide

4:02 AM

Height: -0.1ft

High Tide

10:29 AM

Height: 2.9ft

Low Tide

4:08 PM

Height: -0.2ft

High Tide

10:53 PM

Height: 3.2ft

Current tide phase

Rising after low tide

Best beach walk: Around low tide

Fishing note: Moving water around high and low tide changes can improve fishing activity.

Predicted heights are in feet relative to Mean Lower Low Water at NOAA station 8558690. Timing varies elsewhere along the coast and in the bays.

Sun, Moon & Light

First Light

5:43 AM

Sunrise

6:13 AM

Morning Golden Hour

6:13 AM-6:58 AM

Solar Noon

1:05 PM

Evening Golden Hour

7:11 PM-7:56 PM

Sunset

7:56 PM

Last Light

8:26 PM

UV, Heat & Sun Protection

Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, reapply regularly, wear sunglasses and a hat, and take shade breaks.

UV Index

High

Peak UV

High

Late morning through mid-afternoon

Sunscreen

SPF 30+, reapply regularly

Hydration

Bring water and take regular breaks

Shade

Prioritize shade around midday

Heat Index

77°F

Bay Conditions

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast. Today lower Delaware Bay forecast: N winds around 5 kt, becoming E late this morning and afternoon. Seas 1 foot or less. A slight chance of showers this afternoon.

Rehoboth Bay

Good

Generally light wind-driven chop; verify locally

Wind: WSW 3-7 mph; more exposed to west and southwest winds

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Indian River Bay

Good

Generally light wind-driven chop; verify locally

Wind: SW 3-7 mph; open reaches and inlet approaches can be rougher

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Little Assawoman Bay

Good

Generally light wind-driven chop; verify locally

Wind: SW 2-6 mph; protected pockets may be calmer than open water

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Assawoman Bay

Good

Generally light wind-driven chop; verify locally

Wind: N 0-2 mph; longer fetches build chop in stronger wind

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Delaware Bay

Good

1 ft in the lower Delaware Bay forecast

Wind: N winds around 5 kt, becoming E late this morning and afternoon.

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Bug/fly note: Light wind in parts of the region can mean more insects near marshes; bring repellent.

Fishing Outlook

A planning-level read on likely windows and tactics across surf, inlet, bay, and ocean water.

Delaware Surf & Inlets

Good

Best tide/window: Around the next high tide

Bait/tactic: Match bait and tackle to the current DNREC report, tide stage, and local water conditions.

The current DNREC fishing report is unavailable; check the agency report before choosing a target species or location.

Agency report: Delaware fishing and wildlife updates

Maryland Surf, Inlet & Bays

Good

Best tide/window: Around the next high tide

Bait/tactic: Use the latest Maryland DNR report and current regulations when choosing bait and location.

Open the latest Maryland DNR report for current Atlantic and coastal-bay fishing observations.

Agency report: Maryland Fishing Report – August 12, updated August 13, 2026

Fishing ratings describe weather and tide favorability, not confirmed catches. Check current regulations and recent agency or tackle-shop reports.

Boating & Marine

Marine conditions are comparatively favorable, but check the latest NWS forecast and required safety equipment before departure.

Nearshore Seas

Good

1 ft

Today: Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island, out 20 NM

Offshore Seas

Good

2 ft

Today: Cape May to Fenwick Island, 20 to 60 NM

Wave Period

8 seconds

Primary swell SE

Marine Wind

Good

NW winds around 5 kt, becoming E late this morning and afternoon.

Today coastal-water forecast

Small Craft Advisory

Not active

No active advisory found

Continue monitoring NWS alerts

Lower Delaware Bay

Good

1 ft

Today: N winds around 5 kt, becoming E late this morning and afternoon.

Thunderstorm Risk

Low

Showers possible

Return to shore well before thunder reaches the area

Best Boating Window

Good

12:00 PM-3:00 PM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

Town-by-Town Conditions

Regional conditions interpreted for each major Delaware and Maryland beach stop.

Lewes

Poor

Overcast clouds with WSW winds near 0-4 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Bay beach, family swimming, and walking
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: WSW 0-4 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Check locally rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Cape Henlopen

Poor

Overcast clouds with WSW winds near 0-4 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: State park ocean beach, walking, and fishing access
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: WSW 0-4 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

Rehoboth Beach

Poor

Overcast clouds with WSW winds near 3-7 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Boardwalk, guarded swimming, and family beach time
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: WSW 3-7 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Dewey Beach

Poor

Overcast clouds with WSW winds near 3-7 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Ocean beach, watersports, and bay access
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: WSW 3-7 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Indian River Inlet

Poor

Overcast clouds with SW winds near 3-7 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Inlet fishing, surf checks, and sightseeing
Surf: Strong inlet currents; check locally
Wind: SW 3-7 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Stay out of inlet currents and off wet rocks

Bethany Beach

Poor

Overcast clouds with SW winds near 3-7 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Guarded swimming, family beach time, and walking
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: SW 3-7 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

South Bethany

Poor

Overcast clouds with SW winds near 3-7 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Quieter beach time, swimming, and walking
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: SW 3-7 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

Fenwick Island

Poor

Overcast clouds with SW winds near 2-6 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Family beach time, surf checks, and paddling
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: SW 2-6 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Ocean City, MD

Poor

Overcast clouds with N winds near 0-2 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Guarded swimming, boardwalk, and beach activities
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: N 0-2 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Assateague Island

Poor

Overcast clouds with N winds near 0-2 mph. Check conditions again before committing to water activities.

Best use: Nature beach, photography, and surf fishing
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: N 0-2 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

Crowds, Parking & Local Notes

Expected Crowd

Moderate

Moderate, busiest around midday

Best Arrival

Good

12:00 PM

Parking

Use town meters, apps, or park information where required

Traffic

Moderate

Allow extra time near town centers

Dogs / Rules

Seasonal rules vary by town; check posted signs

Share Today's Beach Report

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Yes with caution; choose a guarded beach and use the best weather window. Today’s Delmarva Beach Report: fair overall, low rip-current risk, 1 ft surf, and WSW 3-7 mph winds. Check the full report before you go.

#DelmarvaBeachGuide#DelawareBeaches#OceanCityMD#BeachReport

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Send today's conditions to your beach group before everyone heads out.

Sources & Updates

Updated regularly using available weather, tide, marine, beach safety, and local reporting sources.

Source categories

Last updated for Aug 14, 2026 at 7:40 AM.

Beach, ocean, bay, and weather conditions can change quickly. This report is for planning purposes only. Always follow official warnings, posted beach flags, local authorities, and lifeguard instructions.

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