Delaware’s little seaside paradise is a hidden treasure for fishers, surfers, sailors and vacationers.
Measuring one-half mile (under 1 kilometer) at its widest point, Fenwick Island separates the protected coves of Little Assawoman Bay from the wild Atlantic Ocean. This buzzing little coastal town sits on a narrow peninsula of the same name on Delaware’s mostsoutheastern point. Fenwick Island prides itself on being a year-round destination that invites visitors to enjoy its extensive beachfront activities and ocean and inland views.
Avoid the vacation crowds of Fenwick Island’s neighboring towns and hit the beach for fantastic fishing, crabbing, sailing, surfing and swimming. If the fish aren’t biting at Little Assawoman Bay, walk five blocks and try your luck in the surf on the Atlantic coast. Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches and swim in the Atlantic surf. The Fenwick Island Beach Patrol keeps the beaches safe from May through September.
Fenwick Island offers plenty of adventures for solo explorers and families alike. Rent a kayak or windsurfer and discover the beaches along the Fenwick Island State Park coastline. Skipper a yacht and sail around the Seal Island Preserve bird sanctuary in Little Assawoman Bay to Lighthouse Cove to see the historic Fenwick Island Lighthouse. Sail to Cedar Island and try your luck finding treasure buried by pirates, according to local legend. Learn about Delaware’s marine history at the free DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum. On warm summer evenings, watch the sun set over the mainland and enjoy fresh local seafood from one of the many restaurants along the peninsula. In the winter, enjoy family activities inside a cozy beachfront cottage or bundle up and venture outside to watch the powerful Atlantic surf.
Reach Fenwick Island by car along Route 1 or Route 113 in summer to avoid traffic. Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport is approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) away by car and has regular flights from Charlotte and Philadelphia. This coastal town is most active in the summertime, but Fenwick Island’s residential community also makes it a warm and hospitable destination in the colder months.