We can all benefit from following the golden rule, even on the beach.
Delaware beaches are a place to play and relax, but even on vacation, it’s important to be considerate of others. Everyone has the same right to enjoy the sand and surf. A little civility ensures that the experience is pleasant for everyone.
Some things may not be obvious. Who doesn’t enjoy a ball game on the beach? Well, the person who receives the ball hit. About to shake out your towel? Wait! Who is downwind and does not ask for a rain of sand? But we can’t believe that we have to tell people, in 2024, to stay. Off. The. Dunes.
Check out these etiquette tips to ensure you’re courteous and considerate on Delaware beaches this summer.
Follow the rules
When it comes to being courteous on the beach, simply knowing the rules and regulations of your chosen beach can go a long way. Here’s where to find them.
Keep music at a reasonable volume
Most coastal towns don’t have laws specifically related to music or noise on the beach, but the right thing to do is obvious. No matter how much you want to share your love for Slayer, it’s rude to subject other beachgoers to any music above a reasonable level.
Whenever possible, keep a good distance from other beachgoers.
Don’t be that guy who parks right next to the only person on the beach. At the same time, when the beach is crowded, don’t be surprised if someone spreads their towel next to you.
Consolidate your space to make room for others
You’ve heard of manspreading, but have you heard of beachspreading? We’ll see if that term catches on (probably not), but when you can’t set up a good distance from other beachgoers, don’t hog all the sand.
Safe umbrellas
Clearly no one wants to be impaled by a rogue umbrella. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends planting your umbrella deep in the sand, using an anchor and tilting it slightly into the wind to prevent it from shifting.
Also check your favorite beach town’s umbrella rules – some of them have maximum width and pole limits.
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Don’t block the view with a tent.
The desire to use tents on the beach is understandable, but it is outweighed by the rights of other beachgoers. Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach do not allow them, with the exception of baby tents, and Fenwick Island has maximum sizes.
If the chosen beach allows it, the courteous thing to do is to install it at the back of the beach so as not to block the views of others.
don’t play ball
If the beach is full, leave the soccer pass for later. Did you think having your view blocked by a tent was bad? Try educating yourself with Marsha Brady while she tries to get a tan.
do not smoke
In addition to being rude to the lungs of others, smoking will result in a fine on most Delaware beaches. Some cities, such as Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach, have designated smoking areas.
In most cases, do not bring your dog.
Check the rules of the beach you are visiting, but dogs are not allowed on most beaches during the summer, including Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, and Fenwick Island. Lewes allows dogs on leashes before 8 a.m. and after 6:30 p.m. and Dewey before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m.
If you are at a dog-friendly beach, keep them on a leash, well hydrated, and with access to shade.
Don’t feed the seagulls
Give one a fry, everyone wants a fry and believe me, EVERYONE will come. They will squawk and squawk and come closer and closer. They will poop everywhere. They won’t leave when the fries run out. They will really bother your neighbors. You will be the recipient of their wrath, and rightly so.
Minimize sand release
Who hasn’t been on the receiving end of someone absentmindedly shaking their beach towel? This is the worst. First take note of the wind and the people around you.
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Be responsible for your trash
Littering will earn you a fine and the great wrath of your fellow beachgoers. Most towns have trash cans on the beach, but by the end of the day (often much earlier) they are overflowing. A smart move is to bring a trash bag and take the trash with you.
Stay away from the dunes
Only use designated dune crossings. The delicate ecosystems they contain and the owners of the multitudes of properties they protect (including you, the taxpayer) will thank you.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports from southern Delaware and beyond. Contact her at smancught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
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