Delaware beach towns are ready for summer. Are you? What to expect this weekend
That summertime weather is certainly here with afternoon thunderstorms and hot sunny days drawing people to the beach. But no matter the weather, any day at the beach is a good day, right?
If you're heading to the Delaware beaches for a weekend trip, or maybe longer, you might be wondering what you should know.
We've got you covered.
For anyone looking to visit the beaches during the weekend of June 17, this guide will help answer questions ranging from dining to parking to the latest weather reports.
THIS SEASON: From the Biden effect to COVID 'revenge travel,' why Delaware beaches are getting busier
Are any beach entrances still closed?
After a nor’easter in May, many of the Delaware beaches saw steep cliffs in the dunes and damage to the dune crossings.
While the beach towns, alongside the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, have been working hard to repair any damage, beachgoers may still notice some effects of the storm.
Many of the beaches may still be narrower at points, especially during high tide. However, the beaches continue to widen as the ocean naturally returns some of the sand to the shore.
WHAT'S NEW: What to expect for summer 2022 at the Delaware beaches
Good news, though! Nearly every beach entrance has reopened.
In Rehoboth Beach, the Surf Avenue entrance was closed the longest, but it has reopened this week, according to city spokesperson Lynne Coan.
In South Bethany, all beach walkways have reopened except for the one at South Third 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.
All entrances have also reopened at the Delaware State Parks, including the Key Box Road entrance, which just reopened on Thursday.
BEACH RESTORATION: Delaware begins restoring beach access following bad storms, South Bethany 'worst hit'
BEACH SAFETY: Put down the beach shovel – digging big holes can get you in trouble. What you should know
Weather for this weekend, Juneteenth
First, a disclaimer: The weather is known to quickly change, even within the hour, at the Delaware beaches. So it's wise to always check your weather channels or apps before settling in on the sand.
It should be hot on Friday with a slight chance of thunderstorms or rain persisting throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service's forecast for the Rehoboth Beach area.
The weather service is predicting a high near 86 on Friday and a low near 67.
However, those threatening clouds are expected to disappear for the rest of the weekend.
On Saturday, make sure to anchor in your umbrellas on the beach because the weather service is forecasting a breezy day with winds up to 20 mph. The high should be around 75, and temperatures may dip to 59 with clear skies in the evening.
MURAL UNVEILING MONDAY: How the West Rehoboth community is telling their stories through art
JUNETEENTH: Now a federal holiday, here's how to celebrate Juneteenth throughout Delaware this month
If celebrating Juneteenth outdoors this Sunday, the weather should be holding up, as well. The forecast is mostly sunny with a high near 76 and a low around 62 at night.
Got the day off on Monday and planning to spend it at the beaches? The beautiful weather continues with a high near 78 and sunny skies.
What to expect at restaurants, 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 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 in 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.
Hiring signs hung in several stores in Bethany Beach this week, for example, including some announcing early closures or limited hours.
Still, some improvements are evident. In Rehoboth Beach, Thrasher's recently announced that it will at least partially reopen locations on Rehoboth Avenue and the boardwalk that were previously closed due to a lack of staffing.
HOUSING: Work near the beach but can't afford to live here? How the county, others plan to fix that
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 in the 2022 season. However, Rehoboth Beach no longer allowed parking spaces to be blocked off for dining on public sidewalks.
OUTDOOR DINING: Rehoboth Beach passes new outdoor dining rules for public sidewalks ahead of 2022 summer
Public health guidelines, COVID cases
An unfortunate reality: COVID-19 is still present for summer vacations at the Delaware beaches.
The Delaware Division of Public Health reported that an average of 14% of tests were coming back positive as of June 15. Cases were on the rise throughout May, compared with March and April, but it seems that the reported cases may be on the downward trend again.
(Just before Memorial Day weekend, DPH was reporting an average of 20% of tests that were positive).
COVID'S TOLL: What Delaware can learn about grief and hope amid another tragic milestone for COVID-19
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 102 people hospitalized and 13 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.
Want to know where to receive booster shots? Visit 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.
A 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.
PARKING 2022: How much will it cost to park at the Delaware beaches? Parking changes coming this summer
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:
If planning to visit one of the State Parks, it's wise to check the parks' Facebook pages where staff will post whether the park is closed due to full parking.
Multiple lots were closed intermittently starting as early as 11 a.m. over Memorial Day weekend.
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 Sept. 11. The stops include Rehoboth Beach and the Boardwalk, Lewes, Long Neck, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean City in Maryland, 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 Sept. 5.
MORE TO KNOW: As you drive to the beach, these 3 major construction projects may affect travel plans
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 is $10 from New Castle County 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 costs 25 cents per trip.
In Lewes, the new seasonal transit option Lewes Line cost $1 per ride. Stops include the two municipal beaches, downtown locations, the library and more. To learn more, visit: https://www.ci.lewes.de.us/363/Lewes-Line.
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.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware beaches: Your guide for the weekend of June 17, Juneteenth
