Bethany Beach Activities - Water Sports

Kayaking
A guided kayak tour of the peaceful salt marshes of Assawoman Bay is a wonderful and educational activity for the entire family. Veteran kayakers can set off on their own to explore any of the brackish bays or ocean waters. Coastal Kayak on Fenwick Island www.coastalkayak.com (302) 539-7999 or 1 (877) 445-2925 toll free rents kayaks and other watercraft, and hosts clinics, eco-tours, instruction and anything you can think of as it relates to a paddling adventure.

Also be sure to check out the scheduled Delaware Seashore State Park kayak trips on Rehoboth Bay or the Assawoman Canal held in the summer. Stop by or call the Indian River Life-Saving Station, 130 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE (302) 227-6991 to inquire.

ECOBay Kayaking Adventures also offers three-hour personalized guided tours on the serene Indian River Bay, including lunch. Call (302) 841-2772 for more information.

Surfing and Board Sports
Some beach areas are specifically designated for surfing (vs. those set aside for surf fishing), including the beach just north of Indian River Inlet at Delaware Seashore State Park. For more Bethany Beach area surfing spots visit the Fenwick Island Surf Shop Web site, which provides an overview of surfing at Delaware beaches at www.fenwicksurf.com/surfingdelaware.shtml. The Bethany Surf Shop is located right in town, and it offers group and private lessons www.bethanysurfshop.com.

Sailing and Windsurfing
The shallow water of the bays provide for excellent sailboarding and kitesurfing, and windsurfing and sailing are possible there as well. Fenwick Island State Park offers sailboard and catamaran rentals, and opportunities for sailing and windsurfing on Little Assawoman Bay on the western edge of the park. A watercraft rental concession on the bay shore offers lessons for beginners. Although no boat launching ramp exists at the park, you can find one across the bay at the Assawoman Wildlife Area. Contact Coastal Kayak www.coastalkayak.com (302) 539-7999 for Hobie rentals.

The Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association points to the consistent wind, lack of current and shallow water as factors that make Rehoboth Bay an ideal location for small boat sailing, and an excellent place for beginners to learn. The Association offers week-long summer sailing school sessions for juniors ages 9-16 and daily drop-in clinics for juniors and adults. Call the RBSA at (302) 227-9008 for more information, or visit their Web site at www.rbsa.org/indexMain.htm.

If you race Sunfish or Hobies, the RBSA may also be able to provide you with racing schedules and related information.

Fishing
Surf fishing is a highly popular area sport in the Bethany Beach area, and the nearby state parks offer plenty of opportunity for this as well as deep-sea fishing and bayfishing. For descriptions of Bethany Beach area fishing spots, a list of popular local fish, fishing calendar and more at Old Inlet Bait & Tackle's Web site: www.oldinlet.com specifically "fishing 101".

Visit the State of Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site www.fw.delaware.gov for licenses, access areas, guides, maps and more. Also Conservation and Education – Aquatic Resources Education Center, Fishing Report, Trout Stamp Program, Fish Consumption advisories and more. Note: Delaware will require new fishing licenses for fresh and tidal water beginning Jan. 1, 2008
For information on suf fishing in Delaware State Parks, visit www.destateparks.com/Activities/surffish/surffish.htm

Bethany Beach area bait & tackle shops include:

• B&R Tackle and Hunting Supplies Route 1, York Beach Mall, South Bethany, DE (302) 539-6243 www.brtackle.com/index.php
• Captain Mac's Bait & Tackle, Route 54, West Fenwick Island, DE (302) 436-2445
  
• Fenwick Tackle, Route 1 & Maryland Avenue, Fenwick Island, DE (302) 539-7766 www.oysterbaytackle.com
• Hook 'Em & Cook 'Em Indian River Marina, 838 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE (302) 226-8220 www.hookemcookem.com
• Murray's Bait & Tackle Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, DE (302)539-7455

Clamming and crabbing are permitted in some sections of the bays, please check with the Delaware State Park Office for open areas.

Charter Fishing
Charter boats abound, and the Indian River Inlet is the home port for Delaware’s largest charter boat fleet. You can find advertising for charter boats in local publications, or see: www.destateparks.com/marina/charter.htm for an extensive list of charter boats. Local bait & tackle shops are also likely to have lists of charter boats.