Tips to get the most out of your Delaware beach stay

As crowds of people arrive at Delaware's beaches for a sunny, summery holiday weekend, here are some helpful tips that could make your stay a little smoother, safer and easier:

1. Beach rules: All of Delaware’s beach towns have different rules and regulations regarding parking, dogs on the beach, alcohol on the beach, using canopies and everything in between. Check out our list of tips that we gathered in preparation for Memorial Day weekend here.

2. Check it before you wreck it: If you’re spending the day soaking up the rays on the sand, check in with the nearest lifeguard for water conditions and potential hazards. Also remember to never turn your back on the waves – that is usually how people, no matter their age, sometimes end up with serious injuries. Fenwick Island Beach Patrol Captain Tim Ferry said the water is warm enough to enjoy – around 70 degrees – and that jellyfish have not posed much of a problem so far this year. However, there have been instances of painful, stinging men-of-war washing ashore, so be careful and remember you’re sharing the big blue with the animals that live there year-round.

3. Respect the wildlife: In the rare case that you see a marine animal such as a sea turtle, dolphin, seal or whale washed ashore, keep your distance and call the experts. The Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes has trained volunteers on-call 24-hours a day. Call them at (302) 228-5029 to report any stranded marine mammals.

4. Construction area: Speaking of hazards, the last few years of nor’easters have been pretty rough on some of our coastline, which is why you might see heavy machinery on the beaches near Bethany and South Bethany. This $19.2 million project will bring more sand for sunbathers from Bethany Beach to Fenwick Island, but be aware that some portions of the beach may be off-limits during this work.

5. Avoid the traffic hassle: It can get pretty pricey to park at some of Delaware’s beaches, and since there is only one major road in and out, it can be grueling sitting in traffic for hours on end. The Delaware Department of Transportation has two Park & Ride locations – one in Lewes and one closer to Rehoboth Beach – where you can leave your car, skip the meters and sail into the beach towns. If you’d rather fight the crowds and search for a parking spot, we recommend downloading the ParkMobile app to make life at least a little easier (it can also be used to reserve parking spaces).

6. Party safely: As the staff at The Starboard in Dewey Beach advise, “don’t be that guy.” Especially after spending a day in the sun, that heavy IPA can hit harder than expected. Since we’re all here celebrating summer and the holiday weekend, be safe and don't drink and drive; instead, text "saferide" to 99000 for a link to a list of Delaware taxi companies and download links for Lyft and Uber. The state Office of Highway Safety will provide Lyft codes worth up to $15 in value for rides in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island as part of its SobertLift program.

7. Fireworks: Is there a more beautiful place to enjoy fireworks than with a backdrop of the ocean or bay? Be prepared that many of the thousands of visitors – and residents – are all thinking the same thing. Arrive early for fireworks displays, and check out this list if you’re still deciding where to go. And if you’re thinking about letting your inner pyromaniac run wild and setting off your own fireworks, know that anything airborne is illegal.

8. Get your grub on: With all this talk of sun and drinks and swimming, we can’t forget one of the most important parts of vacation: Good eatin’. Check out the new restaurants and bars in Rehoboth Beach and new eateries and a brewery in Lewes, scoped out earlier this summer by The News Journal's food writer and columnist Patricia Talorico.

9. Movies with the family: If you're sticking around beyond the weekend, two local beaches are kicking off their summertime movies on the beach starting on Monday, July 2. As the sun sets, you can watch a movie with the family and some new friends at the Bandstand in Bethany Beach and off Dagsworthy Street in Dewey Beach.

10. Beyond the beach: While the ocean and bay beaches are the main draws for locals and visitors, there’s so much more to Sussex County than sand. From bus tours to breweries and beautiful state parks with expansive bike trails, Southern Delaware Tourism can offer a good round-up of fun things to do outside of the staple coastal towns. For more, go to www.visitsoutherndelaware.com.

Contact reporter Maddy Lauria at (302) 345-0608, mlauria@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MaddyinMilford.

DELAWARE'S TOP STORIES

Milford doctor who prescribed more than 2 million pills indicted

How much does your district's superintendent make, per pupil?

Delaware-led study looks at drivers paying by miles driven instead of at the gas pump