Beaches

Big Umbrellas Pitched at Lewes Beach

Lewes Beach forms an arc on the Delaware Bay: Roosevelt Inlet, Lewes Beach residential, Savannah Beach, Johnnie Walker Beach, Pilot Point community, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Port Lewes community, and Cape Shores community. Lewes Beach residential stretches along 27 blocks of beach homes and includes the Lewes Yacht Club and Children’s Beach House facilities.

It is possible to walk or swim from Roosevelt Inlet beach area to the ferry’s breakwater.

Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach are part of the city’s park system. The area, about 1/3-mile long, is separated by a dune, with parking at each beach.

Amenities

  • Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The guarded area is bounded by flags in the sand at either end and by buoys in the water. Metered parking from May 1 to September 30.  
  • Savannah Beach: bath-house open year-round with shower-tower and shower facilities; Mobi-Mats from May to October; permanent benches near parking-lot edge; Lewes Lions Club Snack Stand open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (offering snacks and drinks, chair and umbrella rentals, volleyballs available); beach wheelchairs available free of charge; volleyball net; parking; bicycle racks.
  • Johnnie Walker Beach: bath-house with shower-tower open May 1 through October 15; Mobi-Mats from May to October; permanent benches near parking-lot edge; volleyball net; parking; bicycle racks.

Parking

Metered parking at Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach is in effect from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, May 1st through September 30th.  Additional Parking information may be found here.

Bus groups must obtain an event permit and coordinate bus parking in advance with Lewes Police Department parking enforcement and/or Lewes Parks and Recreation. Obtain an event permit by filling out an Event Request Form (PDF).

BONFIRE REQUEST

Please submit you Bonfire Request during normal business hours. Permits filled out through the website will be replied to instantly through the website.

A bonfire permit is required for any and all open flames on Lewes Beach and Lewes Beach shoreline. This includes bonfires, grilling, and cooking. Open flames are not allowed during metered hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This includes cooking on the beach.

Starting after Labor Day until Memorial Day, bonfires and open flames start after 4 p.m.

Beach Rules

The following activities/items are prohibited on Lewes beaches:

  • Glass containers
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Smoking, vaping, or tobacco products
  • Four-post canopies
  • Crabbing, fishing, seining
  • Boats, paddleboards, kayaks, kiteboards, windsurfing
  • Motorized vehicles
  • Overnight storage of personal items
  • Pop-Up Portable showers/changing rooms/toilets 

Additionally, beach visitors are reminded to refrain from littering, stay off the dunes, secure umbrellas, and obey lifeguard directions. Dogs on leashes are permitted before 8:00am and after 6:30pm.

For a full list of beach rules, see the Lewes Code as it pertains to beaches.