Delaware Beach Real Estate Blog - General News and Updates from the Delaware Beaches

Delaware Gov. Signs Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act

Credit to: Coastal Point

Delaware has officially established its first comprehensive state program to regulate and protect freshwater wetlands after Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 9 into law this week.

The bipartisan legislation creates a statewide framework for protecting non-tidal wetlands while also providing a more predictable permitting process for landowners, farmers, developers and businesses. State officials said the law addresses regulatory gaps created by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which significantly reduced federal jurisdiction over many freshwater wetlands.

Under the new law, Delaware will regulate approximately 75,000 acres of freshwater wetlands that no longer…

29 Views, 0 Comments

South Bethany and Fenwick Island Implement "Grab the Flag" Initiative

Photo credit to: Coastal Point

Visitors and residents walking along Coastal Highway in South Bethany and Fenwick Island will notice a new safety feature at several crosswalks this summer: brightly colored pedestrian crossing flags.

The initiative is designed to make pedestrians more visible to motorists at unsignalized crosswalks, where crossing Route 1 can be particularly challenging during the busy beach season. The simple concept has been used successfully in other communities around the country and is now being adopted by both Delaware beach towns as part of broader efforts to improve pedestrian safety.

In Fenwick Island, red flags have been installed in bins on both sides of designated crosswalks. Pedestrians are encouraged to take a flag…

93 Views, 0 Comments

Bethany Beach Dune Work Update & News

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

Photo credit: DNREC

Mayor Ron Calef reported that while recent storms have reduced portions of the dunes, much of that sand has naturally shifted onto the beach and into the surf, helping preserve the shoreline. Public Works and DNREC were recognized for quickly reinstalling accessibility mats and repairing dune crossovers in time for the summer season. Visitors will also notice new seating areas and a durable concrete retaining wall at First and Second Streets.

Nature Center May Reopen This Summer
The Town is working with the Delaware Nature Society on an agreement to operate the Bethany Beach Nature Center. If approved, the organization would oversee staffing and programming, with the goal of reopening the…

84 Views, 0 Comments

South Bethany Boat Parade 2026

Photo Credit: Coastal Point

SBPOA 4th of July Boat Parade

It's never too early to start planning for one of South Bethany's favorite traditions! The SBPOA Boat Parade will take place on Thursday, July 4th — that's right, on Independence Day itself!

Boat Line-Up: 4:45 PM in Jefferson Creek
Parade Start Time: 5:00 PM

Registration Information

To participate in the parade, please email Joseph.p.petito@gmail.com with the following information:

• Your name
• South Bay address
• Boat length
• Type of boat

Once registered, you will be assigned a boat number.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 1st (to guarantee a spot in the parade).

Photo Credit: Coastal Point

Boat Parade Guidelines

1. Boat Numbers

Participants are…

82 Views, 0 Comments

July 4th 2026 Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary and Bethany's 125th Anniversary

We can't wait to celebrate Independence Day celebration in Downtown Bethany Beach!  This year's parade and celebration theme, "Stars, Stripes, and Shorelines," invites participants to showcase Bethany Beach's past, present, and future with creativity, flair, and a nod to their own family traditions.

The parade scheduled for Friday July 3rd has been cancelled due to the extreme heat being forecasted.

Credit to: Dalmarva Now

Photo credit: Town of Bethany Beach

Fireworks Celebration

Saturday, July 4

Enjoy an evening concert followed by spectacular fireworks after the 7:30 PM performance.

Following the fireworks, stay for a special performance by Uncaged: The Zac Brown Tribute Band.

Come celebrate two historic milestones with a…

1355 Views, 0 Comments

Bear Trap Dunes Market Becomes More Balanced

*Data was derived from the Sussex County MLS. Includes properties sold in Ocean View. May not reflect all activity in the marketplace.

The summer season is underway, and we’ve enjoyed seeing so many homeowners and visitors return to the area over the past few weeks!

While overall sales volume is down compared to last year, the Bear Trap Dunes market continues to show some signs of strength. Single-family home prices have increased 3% year over year, and condo/townhome sales have remained steady. Inventory has expanded to 20 active listings, creating a more competitive environment for sellers, and more options for buyers.

With the summer and golf season bringing increased traffic to the community, now is an excellent time for sellers & buyers to…

68 Views, 0 Comments

2026 Ocean City Airshow

Get ready to look to the sky in Ocean City!  The 2026 Air Dot Show is set to soar over the beach on June 13–14, bringing two days of high-speed thrills, precision flying, and unforgettable family entertainment to Maryland’s favorite summer destination.

This year’s event is expected to feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, along with a lineup of military and civilian aviation performers that will transform the skies above the Atlantic Ocean into a spectacular aerial stage. Visitors can watch jaw-dropping maneuvers from the beach, boardwalk, designated ares on the water, or designated viewing areas while enjoying the excitement of one of the East Coast’s premier air shows.

Beyond the breathtaking performances, the Air Dot Show delivers a…

133 Views, 0 Comments

2026 Farmers Market Schedule

It is one of our favorite times of the year as the Farmers Markets in Coastal Sussex County are in full swing!  See below for the full schedule from Fenwick Island all the way to Lewes.

Bethany Beach Farmers' Market

Sundays, 8 am - 12 pm, May 31 - September 6

The Bethany market is vibrant, friendly, interactive, educational, and enjoyable to buyers as well as sellers located across the street from the PNC Bank in downtown Bethany Beach.

The Farmers' Market at Sea Colony 

Wednesdays, 8am - 12pm, May 27th -  September 2

33546 Market Pl, Bethany Beach, DE 19930

Fenwick Island Farmers' Market

Fridays, 8 am - 12pm, May 29 - September 4

Parking Lot of The Station, 1406 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944

Rehoboth Beach…

1576 Views, 0 Comments

DNREC to Remove Baker’s Channel Markers in Inland Bays

Credit to: Cape Gazette, Chris Flood

Credit to: Cape Gazette

As part of an ongoing effort to repair and install channel markers throughout the Inland Bays, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced it will remove the floating channel markers from Baker’s Channel and will not replace them.

According to Josh Lippert, administrator of DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section, more than half of the channel’s floating markers were lost during this winter’s storms. Many of the remaining markers were also pushed off station and no longer accurately indicate safe navigation routes, creating potential hazards for boaters.

Baker’s Channel connects Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay along the eastern…

213 Views, 0 Comments

Fenwick Island Approves Surf Bagel Overflow Parking

Credit to: Coastal Point, Kerin Magill

Surf Bagel Fenwick Island

Surf Bagel has received approval from the Fenwick Island Town Council to move forward with an overflow parking lot across Essex Street from its Coastal Highway location, following concerns over traffic and parking issues during the shop’s first summer season in town.

The approval comes after the council adopted a new ordinance allowing businesses to apply for temporary parking lots for up to one year. Town officials and Surf Bagel management acknowledged that the business, which opened in winter 2025, experienced significant parking-related traffic problems last summer as customers circled nearby streets searching for spaces.

“They would continue to do laps until they…

87 Views, 0 Comments