Daily Beach Report | Delmarva Beach Guide

Should you go to the beach today?

Yes, conditions look favorable with normal beach precautions. Even on lower-risk days, stay away from jetties and swim near lifeguards.

Best beach picks: Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Cape Henlopen, Ocean City, MD

Best time to go

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

What to watch out for

Low

Low rip risk (Wednesday)

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

Best activities

Guarded swimming, beach walks, paddling in favorable windows, fishing, and sunset photography.

Best Times Today

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

Swimming

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

Surfing

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

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

Beach walk

Today's low-tide window has passed

Use tomorrow’s tide chart for the next low-water walking window

Fishing

Around the next high tide

Moving water around a tide change

Kayaking / paddleboarding

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast

Sunset photos

6:35 PM-7:20 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

Wednesday NWS outlook: 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

Surf Zone Hazards

Low

Wednesday: 1-2 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.

Small Craft Advisory

Moderate

Small Craft Advisory issued September 8 at 2:00PM EDT until September 10 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Small Craft Advisory

Moderate

Small Craft Advisory issued September 8 at 2:00PM EDT until September 10 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Ocean & Surf Conditions

Wednesday: 1-2 ft surf is forecast regionally. Rip-current risk is low; conditions vary by beach and near structures.

Surf Height

Moderate

1-2 ft

Surf Quality

Cleanest in lighter wind

Swell

Period

3 seconds

Surf Forecast

Wednesday

Tide Effect

Rising after low tide

Ocean Temp

upper 70s

Water Comfort

Comfortable for many swimmers

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

Today's Beach Weather

Broken clouds near 72°F during the last available forecast period.

Current Temp

79°F

Forecast High

83°F

Feels Like

79°F

Sky

Broken clouds

Humidity

70%

Rain Chance

Low

Storm Chance

Low

Wind Trend

Steady

Hourly snapshot

5:00 PM

79°F

Broken clouds

SE 7-11 mph

Rain 0%

8:00 PM

78°F

Broken clouds

SSE 11-15 mph

Rain 0%

11:00 PM

72°F

Broken clouds

SSW 10-14 mph

Rain 0%

Wind & Comfort

ESE winds around 5-9 mph are expected near Rehoboth Beach. Speeds should remain fairly steady through the available forecast window.

Current Wind

Good

ESE 5-9 mph

Gusts

Good

Up to 11mph

Direction

ESE

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

12:33 AM

Height: 0.4ft

High Tide

6:50 AM

Height: 2.6ft

Low Tide

12:24 PM

Height: 0.1ft

High Tide

7:31 PM

Height: 3.4ft

Current tide phase

Rising after low tide

Best beach walk: Today's low-tide window has passed

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

6:05 AM

Sunrise

6:35 AM

Morning Golden Hour

6:35 AM-7:20 AM

Solar Noon

12:57 PM

Evening Golden Hour

6:35 PM-7:20 PM

Sunset

7:20 PM

Last Light

7:50 PM

UV, Heat & Sun Protection

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

UV Index

Very High

Peak UV

Very 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

79°F

Bay Conditions

Lowest combined rain and wind impact in the available forecast. Tonight lower Delaware Bay forecast: S winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: S 1 foot at 2 seconds and SE 1 foot at 8 seconds.

Rehoboth Bay

Good

Light chop possible on exposed reaches

Wind: ESE 5-9 mph; more exposed to west and southwest winds

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Indian River Bay

Fair

Moderate wind-driven chop possible on exposed reaches

Wind: SSE 11-15 mph; open reaches and inlet approaches can be rougher

Kayak/SUP: Fair

Boating: Fair

Use protected water or postpone small-craft activity.

Little Assawoman Bay

Fair

Moderate wind-driven chop possible on exposed reaches

Wind: SSE 12-16 mph; protected pockets may be calmer than open water

Kayak/SUP: Fair

Boating: Fair

Use protected water or postpone small-craft activity.

Assawoman Bay

Fair

Moderate wind-driven chop possible on exposed reaches

Wind: SSW 10-14 mph; longer fetches build chop in stronger wind

Kayak/SUP: Fair

Boating: Fair

Use protected water or postpone small-craft activity.

Delaware Bay

Good

1 ft in the lower Delaware Bay forecast

Wind: S winds 5 to 10 kt.

Kayak/SUP: Good

Boating: Good

More manageable for small craft; keep checking wind.

Bug/fly note: Breeze may reduce insects, but repellent is still useful near marshes.

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.

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle had a few reports from nighttime jetty fishermen that larger striped bass were caught and released on live eels.

Agency report: Delaware Fishing Report, updated September 3, 2026

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 – September 2, updated September 2, 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

2 ft

Tonight: Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island, out 20 NM

Offshore Seas

Fair

2-3 ft

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

Wave Period

3 seconds

Primary swell S

Marine Wind

Good

SW winds around 10 kt.

Tonight coastal-water forecast

Small Craft Advisory

High

Active

Small Craft Advisory issued September 8 at 2:00PM EDT until September 10 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Lower Delaware Bay

Good

1 ft

Tonight: S winds 5 to 10 kt.

Thunderstorm Risk

Low

Return to shore well before thunder reaches the area

Best Boating Window

Good

9:00 PM-12:00 AM

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

Good

Broken clouds with ESE winds near 7-11 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Bay beach, family swimming, and walking
Surf: 1 ft
Wind: ESE 7-11 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Check locally rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

View town guide

Cape Henlopen

Good

Broken clouds with ESE winds near 7-11 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: State park ocean beach, walking, and fishing access
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: ESE 7-11 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

Rehoboth Beach

Good

Broken clouds with ESE winds near 5-9 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Boardwalk, guarded swimming, and family beach time
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: ESE 5-9 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

View town guide

Dewey Beach

Good

Broken clouds with ESE winds near 5-9 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Ocean beach, watersports, and bay access
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: ESE 5-9 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

View town guide

Indian River Inlet

Good

Broken clouds with SSE winds near 11-15 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Inlet fishing, surf checks, and sightseeing
Surf: Strong inlet currents; check locally
Wind: SSE 11-15 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Stay out of inlet currents and off wet rocks

Bethany Beach

Good

Broken clouds with SSE winds near 11-15 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Guarded swimming, family beach time, and walking
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: SSE 11-15 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

View town guide

South Bethany

Good

Broken clouds with SSE winds near 11-15 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Quieter beach time, swimming, and walking
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: SSE 11-15 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

Fenwick Island

Good

Broken clouds with SSE winds near 12-16 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Family beach time, surf checks, and paddling
Surf: 1-2 ft
Wind: SSE 12-16 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk (Wednesday NWS outlook); follow posted flags

View town guide

Ocean City, MD

Good

Broken clouds with SSW winds near 10-14 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Guarded swimming, boardwalk, and beach activities
Surf: 2 ft
Wind: SSW 10-14 mph
Crowds: Moderate, busiest around midday
Safety: Low rip current risk; follow posted flags

View town guide

Assateague Island

Good

Broken clouds with SSW winds near 10-14 mph. Conditions are favorable for the listed activities.

Best use: Nature beach, photography, and surf fishing
Surf: 2 ft
Wind: SSW 10-14 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

9:00 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

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Yes, conditions look favorable with normal beach precautions. Today’s Delmarva Beach Report: good overall, low rip-current risk, 1-2 ft surf, and ESE 5-9 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 Sep 8, 2026 at 4:43 PM.

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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