Updated: August 14, 2025
With its prime New England location along the Atlantic Coast, Delaware can make for an ideal beach vacation destination. While throngs of tourists head to the ever-popular Rehoboth Beach every year, you may be craving a quieter, more peaceful experience. If you are interested in a beach vacation in Delaware without the crowds, it's important to know where to stay in the First State.
Below, we detail the seven quietest beaches in Delaware to help you best select the perfect New England beach vacation destination.
If you are on the hunt for the best Delaware quiet beaches, you may find everything you are looking for at Broadkill Beach. Located within the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on the shores of the Delaware Bay, Broadkill Beach feels like a relic from an era gone by. When you arrive at this serene beach, you will be amazed at the stunning natural views that surround you. If you need any supplies, you'll find that the only place to shop is The Broadkill Store, a charming general store that is famous for selling delicious homemade donuts on the weekends.
With long stretches of soft sand and calm bay waters, Broadkill Beach is an awesome option for families who are looking for a relaxing day together. In addition to having a peaceful atmosphere, Broadkill Beach is a stunning natural preserve. It's an official sanctuary for horseshoe crabs, giving visitors the opportunity to witness these magnificent little sea creatures in their natural habitat.
While the beach is spectacular during the day, you will also want to carve out time to sit along the shores at night. Broadkill Beach is considered to be one of the best spots for stargazing in Delaware.
Also situated on the Delaware Bay is Bowers Beach, one of the best Delaware beaches for relaxation and recreation. Bowers Beach is located in Kent County and on any given day, you will feel like you have the place to yourself. The beach tends to attract locals who want to enjoy a day of fishing or vacationers who are searching for a place where they have plenty of room to run, play and fly kites on the beach.
Families appreciate the fact that this quiet beach is located on the bay, with warm and calm waters that are perfect conditions for swimming and splashing in the waves. In addition, the beach has a boat ramp, giving boaters the opportunity to cruise along the shoreline or find the perfect fishing spot on the bay. Kayakers also appreciate paddling along the water's edge, as it gives them the opportunity to soak up the incredible views that surround them.
The beach is located on the edge of the small town, so after a day of fun in the sun, you can enjoy strolling through the downtown area. There's a local museum that shares insight into the history of Bowers Beach, as well as some restaurants and shops that make tourists feel right at home.
With a name that makes you think this beach will be the setting for a horror movie, you may be tempted to avoid the likes of Slaughter Beach in Delaware. However, contrary to its violent-sounding name, Slaughter Beach is actually a peaceful refuge on the Delaware Bay. In fact, it is often considered to be one of the quietest beaches in Delaware.
Similar to Broadkill Beach, Slaughter Beach is a sanctuary for those small-yet-mighty horseshoe crabs, so this is another excellent place to visit if you enjoy wildlife viewing. In addition, the beach welcomes a host of migratory birds to the shore each year, giving bird watchers a chance to see some of their favorite feathered friends.
While other charming beach towns swell with an influx of summer residents, Slaughter Beach stays relatively quiet throughout the entire year. Most of the residents live here full-time and travelers find that they are able to fit right in with the local lifestyle. If you are looking for an immersive, relaxing beach vacation in Delaware, Slaughter Beach is an excellent option to consider.
While many of the other quiet beaches in Delaware are located on the peaceful shoreline of the Delaware Bay, Fenwick Island State Park offers more than 16 miles of peaceful stretches on the Atlantic Coast. Sometimes, people are surprised to see Fenwick Island State Park on the list of the quietest beaches in Delaware, because it is one of the most popular parks in the state. While there are no shortage of visitors to the park, you will find that it's not too hard to find a spacious stretch of beach to enjoy for yourself. The endless shoreline in this park ensures that there is room for everyone.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are lifeguards along the beach, making this a safe and secure place for families to enjoy a summer's day. In addition, the beach here has plenty of amenities, which appeals to beachgoers who want to balance natural beauty with modern conveniences. At the Fenwick Island State Park beach, you will have access to a snack bar, restrooms, changing rooms and beach equipment rentals. In addition, there are mobile accessibility mats and beach wheelchairs available, making this an inclusive destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the beach.
If you really want to enjoy a true local gem, then consider planning a beach trip to Pickering Beach. For the most part, this beach is relatively unknown to tourists, making it one of the best Delaware beaches for relaxation. However, you will find that this area does not have the same number of hotels, restaurants and attractions as other quiet Delaware beaches, so you will want to make sure that it has everything you need for your trip.
Like some of the other quietest beaches in Delaware, Pickering Beach is a sanctuary for the state's official marine animal — the horseshoe crab. If you choose to spend some time on this secluded beach, you may find that it's only you and the horseshoe crabs for company. It's a serene beach that is perfect for long, leisurely strolls and relaxing afternoons with your favorite beach read in hand.
While more well-known than some of the other less crowded beaches in Delaware, Gordon's Pond is still a favorite among those who are seeking peace, privacy and solace for their beach trip. Gordon's Pond is a great salt lagoon located within the Cape Henlopen State Park. It attracts hikers and bikers who want to enjoy the scenic views and the wildlife sightings that this lagoon has become known for and more visitors are beginning to discover the Gordon's Pond Trail, which is a relatively recent addition to the area.
In addition, there is an oceanfront beach at Gordon's Pond, giving visitors the opportunity to soak up the sunshine and listen to the crushing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. At this beach, you may run into other travelers, but there is plenty of room to roam. You won't feel like you are setting up your umbrella right next to another party. During the summer, the beach has lifeguards on duty, giving beachgoers confidence and security during their visit.
Perhaps one of the most surprising features of Gordon's Pond are the two World War II-era fire towers that are still standing on the sandy shores. Between the historical artifacts and the vast scenery, this is one of the best beaches for photographs in Delaware. Don't forget to pack your camera for this excursion.
For years, Bethany Beach has been considered the peaceful alternative to the nation's summer capital of Rehoboth Beach. Today, Bethany Beach still retains this same sense of charm and whimsy and it is known as one of the best Delaware quiet beaches.
Featuring wide stretches of sand that are dotted with dune grass, Bethany Beach is beautiful and welcoming. While it is a well-known and popular beach, it is also large enough to handle the crowds. There is plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy everything that Bethany Beach has to offer. Those who are hoping to enjoy a bit of adventure while on the beach can get all of the surf and swim gear that they need at local surf shops, which offer equipment purchases and rentals.
While it boasts a serene atmosphere, there is no shortage of things to do in and around Bethany Beach. There is a boardwalk that runs along the length of the beach, allowing visitors to stroll along and soak up the views. On the boardwalk, you will find everything from perfect little book stores to local restaurants with plenty of flavor. From the morning until the evening, there is always something to see and do on the boardwalk.
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Delaware today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.
Exclusive Deals for AAA Members
Unlock Member-Only Ticket Savings
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!