Fenwick Island State Park protects a long stretch of barrier-island beach and bay shoreline south of Bethany Beach. The ocean side has broad sand, seasonal lifeguards, and a bathhouse, while the bay side is quieter and better for paddling, fishing, and birdwatching.
The park is less built-up than the resort towns around it, which makes it a good stop for a beach day with more space and a clearer sense of the Delaware coast.