Fenwick Island, DE

Travel Guide
Fenwick Island featuring general coastal views and a beach
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.

Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
3 out of 5
2100 N Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD
The price is $94 per night from May 19 to May 20
$94
$119 total
includes taxes & fees
May 19 - May 20
Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale.
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,001 reviews)
Good location
"Good location, nice view"

Reviewed on May 15, 2024

Grand Hotel Ocean City Oceanfront
Henlopen Hotel
Henlopen Hotel
2 out of 5
511 North Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $79 per night from May 30 to May 31
$79
$88 total
includes taxes & fees
May 30 - May 31
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Rehoboth Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Renovated hotel right on the beach built in 1800’s."

Reviewed on May 15, 2024

Henlopen Hotel
Ashore Resort & Beach Club
Ashore Resort & Beach Club
3.5 out of 5
10100 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD
The price is $119 per night from May 19 to May 20
$119
$132 total
includes taxes & fees
May 19 - May 20
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (279 reviews)
"Very clean and the staff is nice."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Ashore Resort & Beach Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fenwick Island spacious beach house with deck, W/D & full kitchen - dog-friendly
Fenwick Island spacious beach house with deck, W/D & full kitchen - dog-friendly
Fenwick Island
Stay at this vacation home in Fenwick Island. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Maryland Beach and Bethany Beach Boardwalk are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
Great location at the beach!
"We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend stay in Fenwick at this dog friendly beach home. We were able to spread out in the four bedrooms and three decks but also enjoyed meals together on the deck and game night at the dining table. The kitchen was well stocked as was the garage. Lots of boogie boards ..."

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2023

Fenwick Island spacious beach house with deck, W/D & full kitchen - dog-friendly
Majestic Hotel & Apartments
Majestic Hotel & Apartments
3 out of 5
7th St & Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.2/10 (68 reviews)
"We stayed in one of the majestic apartments. I liked how it was an apartment, but it wasn't like dealing with a rental company. It was dealing with a hotel company. It was very simple and easy to get set up. We were lucky enough to get one of the apartments that was detached a block away. So it was ..."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Majestic Hotel & Apartments
Shore Point Cottages
Shore Point Cottages
3 out of 5
9543 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Ocean City Beach and Ocean City Boardwalk are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
Great stay
"Great place, about a 10 min drive to the boardwalk but many other things nearby like a diner, several restaurants. Easy check in process, can’t wait to stay again."

Reviewed on May 12, 2024

Shore Point Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Fenwick Island

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
14
" "5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
9
" "4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 17, 2019

More friendly than Bethany

3/5 - Okay

Andi
Aug 23, 2019

Fenwick Island the town was very nice, but this Motel was trash

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Aug 19, 2019

We loved that the beach was quiet and clean. Too bad that there wasn’t umbrella rentals but that’s minor.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 25, 2019

First time there. Pleasantly surprised.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jul 16, 2019

It is very quiet compared to Ocean City. A lot of establishments and food services close early (before 11 or 10) so just beware unless you don't mind driving over to Ocean City, MD.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 17, 2019

Beach was across the way which was a nice small walk from the property we were staying at. Did a lot of exploring however felt like everything we were looking for was a good bit of distance.

Cities near Fenwick Island