Dewey Beach
Dewey Beach
4.5
About
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay, this quaint town is popular with the younger crowd and home to numerous excellent bars and brewpubs with live music and great food. In summer, look forward to activities like outdoor movie screenings and community bonfires in addition to jetski rentals and guided kayak excursions. The surf tends to be rough, but the beach is dog-friendly, and the small-town charm and relaxed vibe on offer during the quieter seasons draws couples and families from wide and far. The busier Rehoboth Beach is only a stone’s throw away. – Tripadvisor
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
177 within 3 miles
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51 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
562 reviews
Excellent
335
Very good
173
Average
34
Poor
11
Terrible
9
Misterjynx2000
Hawley, PA238 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This beach is a far cry from the crowded touristy beaches of the Jersey shore and Ocean City Md.
Although I’m not a dog owner I had fun playing with the friendly dogs and some children. The beach welcomes dogs before 9am and after 5:30 pm (rules are enforced!).
A sufficient number of life guards on duty.
Although I’m not a dog owner I had fun playing with the friendly dogs and some children. The beach welcomes dogs before 9am and after 5:30 pm (rules are enforced!).
A sufficient number of life guards on duty.
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
77 contributions
Jul 2021
It is a nice, clean & not very crowded beach. They have lifeguards part of the day. They seem to rake up sand & collect trash (plus have bins for trash, cans & bottles on the beach).
It is good if you are staying close by, it was a short walk from the hotel. It probably wouldn't be a good location for a day trip though - I think it is set up to cater to the people who made reservations & just walk over.
It is good if you are staying close by, it was a short walk from the hotel. It probably wouldn't be a good location for a day trip though - I think it is set up to cater to the people who made reservations & just walk over.
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susie
Maryland7 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We came as a family of nine with one four year old, grandma and grandpa, four parents, a ten year old and a six year old. We stayed at a quiet little bay with small to no waves which was great for everyone. I highly recommend Dewey beach to people of all ages because of the beautiful beaches and many things to do like a boardwalk and a business district.
Written June 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond S
Wilkes-Barre, PA3 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Covid 19 era, the day we were there people set up next to you. One group drinking mixed drinks from glass pitchers...glass.. were acknowledged by patrol but not corrected. Others with beer ignored. No common sense being used. Parking is set up intentionally to confuse and entrap. Signs are identical and have same instructions. Kiosks do not clearly explain they function in one zone only. Pay your fine immediately the surcharge for waiting a day is another 5 dollars. The stupidity and municipal money grabbing justify the low rating and my intention to never return.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dreamergirl4686
South Salem, NY338 contributions
Sep 2020
We went during the fall and the beach was nice and quiet. It was extremely windy but there were storage sheds that you could use as a shield. The sand was soft and the beach was clean. During this time we saw maybe three other groups on the beach. It was way less crowded than the beach by the Rehoboth boardwalk.
Written February 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim
Hoboken, NJ21 contributions
Aug 2021
Dewey Beach is a quiet, dog-friendly and people-friendly beach town. Quieter and much more chill than Rehobeth. I think you need to rent within walking distance because there are no public facilities on the beach, no bathrooms, changing rooms, and little public parking, if any. Umbrellas are $14 to rent for the day. The sand is super soft and clean. They comb it nightly. In the early mornings, people bring their dogs to the beach! This was my favorite part. And at night, my boys and I spotted dolphins.
I beg, though, for someone in Dewey Beach government to work with local establishments to cut down on their plastic use. For a beach town, where the ocean is their livelihood, I expected better. Restaurants use so much single-use plastic. Straws, cups, dipping cups. It's so upsetting.
I beg, though, for someone in Dewey Beach government to work with local establishments to cut down on their plastic use. For a beach town, where the ocean is their livelihood, I expected better. Restaurants use so much single-use plastic. Straws, cups, dipping cups. It's so upsetting.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elle S
1 contribution
Mar 2020
I visited during the Pandemic and many places were closed. My main objective was to have a safe place for my children and dog to run around prior to being secluded in our tiny apartment. This beach did not disappoint!! I loved it and there's plenty to do. I did visit out of season and at a time when most people were already quarantined so I cannot attest to what it is like when full of people. The beach was clean.
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
linda43210
Philadelphia, PA20 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Just had our first experience with Dewey Beach and would recommend to everyone. Lots of things to do, great places to eat and fun was had by all. Warning…..the beaches are small and packed and bars are crowded inside or out. One member of our group contracted covid. Fingers crossed the rest of us didn’t.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ani A
7 contributions
Aug 2020
Terrible beach and water, the worst thing is that you get a parking ticket for nothing! and even when you appeal it, it is still declined without any explanation! very disappointed. parking is a good business there it seems. Horrible place if you want to go to the beach.
The town by itself is nice though, but too crowded for COVID times.. spent there 1 day, paid for parking, got a parking ticket for "parking - wrong direction" though I was parked correctly (perpendicular parking). so be very careful where you park and how..
The town by itself is nice though, but too crowded for COVID times.. spent there 1 day, paid for parking, got a parking ticket for "parking - wrong direction" though I was parked correctly (perpendicular parking). so be very careful where you park and how..
Written September 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gray Matters 2
Lincoln, DE290 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Parked on Queen Street in Rehoboth and walked to and through Dewey Beach on this wonderful, warm, sunny Saturday afternoon. We walked through to and Indian Beach for the first time. Not much garbage but still tendered nearly 6 lb of mostlyt nemesis: large, clear pieces of plastics. Lots of people with their dogsz many donning Covid-19 virus masks. All staying level-headed. Priceless.
Written November 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On the beach, there are vendors to rent chairs and umbrellas.
Written July 26, 2021
Yes there are regulations: Dewey beach allows tents, Rehoboth beach charges you for tents they rent you.
Written September 1, 2019
I was wondering if it is allowed on Dewey Beach to bring a cooler with food? I do see on the Dewey Beach website no alcohol is allowed but can’t find info if there are other restrictions.
Thanks!
Written May 23, 2018
I am planning a romantic getaway to Dewey with my fiance during the early week from May 14-17th. I know it's still off season or early in the season and I was wondering what is open at this time? Best activities to do as a couple at this time? Thank you!
Written April 19, 2018
My son plans to metal detect while here on vacation in the Dewey Beach & Rehoboth areas. Can you recommend the best areas for metal detecting?
Thanks
Written April 17, 2018
I don't know the area very well, I only visited for a weekend, but I did see someone with a metal detector over on Dewey Beach. It will be less crowded/travelled than Rehoboth, which is the more touristy location.
Written April 18, 2018
We have been going to a very quiet beautiful beach in Maine for over 40 years. We love it there. It is laid back, clean, and quiet and there are cute little towns and great restaurants close by. This summer we have a conference in Baltimore, MD, and would like to spend about a week at a beach close by. I do have mobility issues so need to be right on the beach or a place where the beach is easily accessible. I would love to rent a house or find a hotel with a deck that overlooks the ocean in case I am unable to get to the beach. We will be my husband and me and our two adult daughters. Do you think Dewey Beach is the place for us? Could you recommend any other beaches? Thank you so much.
Written March 31, 2018
The great news is Dewey is installing dune mats throughout all the dunes. We visit Dewey every year. If you use a wheelchair, you can rent a beach wheelchair while you are there and the rental places drop it off right at your condo/hotel. The nice thing about Dewey is that once you get past the dunes, the distance from the top of the beach to the water is not a far distance. We travel with our two small children and the narrow beach is one of the reasons we visit. We stay bayside which is also a very short walk to the beach. Good luck in your decision and enjoy if you choose Dewey!
Written May 21, 2018
We are looking to vacation in the Dewey Beach area...never been but we have a family group of 12 trying to find a 6-7 bedroom vacation home to rent. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts on how we can find a place. I have looked online but it is soooo hard not knowing the area and knowing the best place to stay. We have 5 couples and 2 singles ages 26 to 62 and enjoy walking the beach, eating out, shopping, a little nightlife and hanging out in a vacation home we can all stay in. Any help or suggestions would be AWESOME. THANKS
Written October 26, 2017
We stayed in this house with 9 people, 7 adults and two kids and there were a couple more beds. I think it sleeps 12. It was fabulous- a really short walk to the beach. We didn’t know the area either, but we were totally satisfied. It had a wonderful outdoor shower and everything we could have wanted.
Written October 27, 2017
Hi Ron!
I'm having trouble parking here to enjoy the beach specifically. We've a condo in North OC, but was hoping for a day at Dewey while at the shore.
Any ideas where to park for a long time?
Thanks,
T
Written August 20, 2017
If you get there early you can park on street, you just need to get a parking sticker at the municipality building, a street up from the Rusty Rudder.
Written August 21, 2017
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