The Delaware coast from Bethany Beach: a lay-of-the-land guide

This page exists to answer one question: where is everything relative to the house? The map below is an orientation graphic — approximate positions and order, not a navigation map — followed by the same places as a text list with links to open each one in Google Maps.

• Pelican Pointe (you're staying here)
• Beach town
• State park / inlet
• Longer excursion
• Coastal Highway (Route 1)

The same places, north to south

1. Rehoboth BeachOpen in Google MapsBoardwalk town, galleries, Funland — farthest north on this map
2. Dewey BeachOpen in Google MapsSmall beach-and-bay town just south of Rehoboth
3. Delaware Seashore State Park · Indian River InletOpen in Google MapsUndeveloped ocean and bay shoreline around the inlet
4. Bethany BeachOpen in Google MapsThe boardwalk town next door — bandstand and shops
5. Pelican Pointe · South BethanyOpen in Google MapsYou're staying here — 151 Bayshore Drive, on the canal side
6. Fenwick IslandOpen in Google MapsState park beach, lighthouse, mini golf, Route 54 dining
7. North Ocean CityOpen in Google MapsMaryland begins at the state line; condos and bayside parks
8. Downtown Ocean CityOpen in Google MapsThe long boardwalk, rides, and the Inlet — farthest south by road
9. Assateague IslandOpen in Google MapsWild horses and a national seashore — a longer excursion south of Ocean City

Google Maps links open a search for each place in a new tab; use them for live directions and current travel times.

What each place is for

South Bethany — the quieter home base

Pelican Pointe is on Bayshore Drive on South Bethany's canal side, about three blocks from the ocean. The town is residential: beach houses, canals, calm streets, and a lifeguarded town beach in season. It is where you start and end each day, and the point from which everything else on this map is a shorter or longer drive north or south along Route 1. Read the rental details for the house itself.

Bethany Beach — the boardwalk town next door

Immediately north. Garfield Parkway ends at the boardwalk and bandstand, with the bookstore, toy shop, popcorn, surf shop, and restaurants along the way. Typically a shorter outing from the house by car or bike, and the natural evening trip. The where-to-eat guide covers the details.

Fenwick Island — family attractions and Route 54 dining

Immediately south, at the Maryland line. Fenwick Island State Park's undeveloped beach comes first, then the town, with mini golf, a water park, the shipwreck museum, the lighthouse, and the restaurants clustered along Coastal Highway and just over the Route 54 bridge. Typically a shorter outing.

Ocean City — the larger amusement and boardwalk day

Across the state line. North Ocean City is the condo-and-bayside stretch you reach first; the boardwalk, Trimper's Rides, and the Inlet are at the downtown end, farthest south on the map by road. Plan on most of a day, and on summer weekends expect Coastal Highway through Ocean City to be slow.

Delaware Seashore State Park — nature and the inlet

North of Bethany, where the barrier narrows to a strip between the ocean and the bays and the Indian River Inlet bridge crosses the gap. Ocean beaches, bay shoreline, the marina, trails, and the life-saving station museum. Typically a shorter outing, and the first stretch of the drive toward Dewey and Rehoboth.

Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach — northbound day trips

Beyond the inlet, Dewey is the small beach-and-bay town and Rehoboth the larger boardwalk town with galleries, Funland, and outlet shopping. Farther north than anything else on this map except the drive itself; treat them as a day trip and allow substantially more time during summer traffic.

Assateague Island — a longer nature excursion

South of Ocean City, reached from Route 611. The National Park Service places its Maryland entrance eight miles south of Ocean City, which puts it at the far end of this map from South Bethany. Wild horses, an undeveloped beach, and a full day out.

Planning notes

• The house is roughly in the middle of this coast, so most days you'll choose a direction — north toward Bethany and the inlet, or south toward Fenwick and Ocean City — rather than a distance.
• Driving times are not stated here on purpose. Summer weekend and changeover-day traffic on Route 1, and festival weekends in Ocean City, can double a trip that is quick in May or September.
• For how these places fit into an actual stay, see the sample 7-day itinerary; for how the three nearest towns differ, the town comparison; for what's on when, the seasonal events guide.

Sources

Facts above were checked against these official or primary sources. Rules, schedules, hours and fees change — confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.

• Town of South Bethany — History
• Delaware State Parks — Delaware Seashore State Park
• Delaware State Parks — Fenwick Island State Park
• Town of Ocean City, MD — Boardwalk (length)
• National Park Service — Assateague Island directions
• DelDOT — Beach information