Delaware is famous for its beaches, which draw tourists and locals alike due to their safety and cleanliness, amenities, and great vacation atmosphere. But, did you know that Delaware’s beaches are recognized nationally, too? For several years now, the National Resource Defense Council has named Delaware’s beaches as the Best Beaches in the United States when it comes to clean water and clean beaches. Wow – that’s quite an honor!

One beach, in particular, has drawn praise and top ratings for years now as the cleanest beach in Delaware, and that’s Rehoboth Beach. It should be no surprise to hear that if you’ve visited Delaware’s most popular beach, though. Take a look at what makes Rehoboth Beach the cleanest beach in Delaware, and why you should plan a beach day now before the cold weather comes and steals summer from us all.

Every year, over 7 million people visit Delaware...
Flickr / The West End
...and most of them head for the beach. That's incredible, considering that is over seven times the population of the ENTIRE state! What's even more impressive is that many of them come from states with coasts and beaches themselves, including Ocean City, Maryland and the famous Jersey Shore. So, why do so many people choose to come to our little state instead?
Beach goers gather at many of our bay and ocean beaches, like Rehoboth, for their cleanliness.
Flickr / PAFotoFan
Rehoboth is Delaware's most popular beach, and for good reason - it's one of the cleanest beaches in United States. Rehoboth has been rated as a 5-star "Superstar" beach award for its perfect swimming water quality over the past 4+ years.  Rehoboth was one of only 13 other Superstar Beaches designated by the NRDC in all of the coastal states of the country, making it one of the best places to swim for miles and miles.
You can be sure the water you're wading in has been rigorously tested for pollutants, too.
Flickr / Christian M. M. Brady
Delaware, as a state, is also recognized as having one of the most comprehensive water quality testing programs in the country. So, if you're swimming in Delaware water, it's clean and pristine. Maybe that's why Delaware is picky about where you can swim in State Parks - they want to uphold the reputation of only allowing the highest standards for its resident swimmers.

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The water at Rehoboth Beach is beautiful, blue, and warm.
Flickr / Arianravan
This summer, the water at Rehoboth has been unseasonably warm, allowing even those who hesitate to jump in a great excuse to get wet. And while part of the thrill of jumping into the ocean is the chill you feel while you get used to it, I'm certainly not complaining about 80+ degree, pool-temperature salt water.
Rehoboth Beach is a great place to get out on the water in Delaware, too.
Facebook / DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures
Whether you want to go ocean kayaking, try a stand-up paddle board, or windsurf, local experts at DelMarva Board Sport Adventures can hook you up with the right equipment and can even give you lessons on how to master your board or watercraft.
When you want to get out of the sun and the surf, you can walk along the boardwalk.
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Rehoboth is more than just the cleanest beach in Delaware - it's got the most going on, too. The famous Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is packed with stores, shops and restaurants for you to enjoy, and live entertainment at the Bandstand will keep the party going well into the night.
The clean water and wonderful atmosphere at Rehoboth Beach will call you back again and again.
Flickr / Patrick Nouhailler
So many people return to Rehoboth Beach every year, and it's clear to see why. With clean water, plenty of amenities, and a lot of adventures to find, this beautiful Delaware beach will be a favorite of yours for years to come.

If you’re looking for more beaches in Delaware to explore, you can be assured that the water open for swimming is clean and well maintained, thanks to the great beach replenishment projects that the state works on year-round. We’ve written quite a bit about the top Delaware beaches, so even if Rehoboth isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll certainly find your own slice of paradise in Delaware.

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More to Explore

Best Beaches in Delaware

Tori Jane | July 05, 2022

What are some of the best Delaware beaches?  

Let’s be real here: Delaware isn’t exactly an enormous state. In fact, it’s only got about 61 and a half miles of beaches and/or shoreline, though you shouldn’t let the relatively small size of the state fool you. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States are found right here in our little corner of the country, and we couldn’t be prouder to call them ours. Among the most popular beaches in Delaware are gems like Bethany Beach, which is located within an idyllic small town of the same name. It makes for an excellent day trip in Delaware, and we think you’ll absolutely love it! Bethany Beach is, when compared to other beaches on the east coast, nice and quiet, making it an excellent getaway for a self-care weekend.  

Where is Rehoboth Beach in Delaware?  

Nestled in Sussex County on the Atlantic Coast is Rehoboth Beach, which easily Delaware’s most famous beach for many (amazing) reasons. The water is pristine and clear, and the folks here are always friendly. The ocean stretches on well beyond the horizon and sunsets here are absolutely bucket list-worthy all on their own. It’s easily the best beach in Delaware, though, of course, “best” tends to be subjective. There’s a reason it’s so outrageously popular and beloved, though, and we’ll get into that right now:  

What is the cleanest beach in Delaware? 

Rehoboth Beach strikes again! Known as the cleanest, clearest beach in Delaware, Rehoboth Beach is also brag-worthy for another reason: it’s one of the cleanest, clearest beaches in the United States, and one of the most awe-inspiring on the east coast. Should you get bored of dipping your toes in the water, you’ll want to check out the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, where you’ll encounter all sorts of shops, restaurants, and more that are totally unique to Rehoboth Beach. Come see why this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – right here in our little corner known as Delaware.  

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Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA