Crowd & Localism
Generally welcoming, but the lineup is a single-peak situation. When it's on, two carloads is already a crowd and the vibe tightens. Dawn patrol during weekday swells is the move. Respect the peak rotation and you'll be fine.
Delaware, Delaware, United States
Naval Jetties
38.768, -75.083
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-verifiedCross-checked against Surfline
At a glance
- Naval Jetties is a right over mixed, fickle right-hand jetty and sandbar with cedar stump hazards.
- Intermediate to advanced ability, working 4-7 ft.
- Peak August to February, water 4-24°C.
Right · MixedIntermediate → Advanced4–7 ftJan – Dec
A fickle but rewarding right-hander breaking off a jetty over a sandbar laced with ancient cedar stumps, Naval Jetties sits inside Cape Henlopen State Park two miles east of Lewes, Delaware. S, SE, and NE swells are the targets here, with SW or W winds keeping faces clean. Best from chest-high to overhead on a low-to-incoming tide, when the sandbar lines up and the rights can run with surprising length for the mid-Atlantic. It suits intermediate to advanced surfers, the one-spot takeoff means two carloads fills the lineup fast, and on the rare days it fires, expect some competitive energy. Bottom: sand over cedar stumps. Season: tropical storms and nor'easters drive the better swells, mainly late summer through winter. Consistency: fickle. At low tide those submerged stumps turn the paddle-out into an obstacle course, so wear boots and pick your line carefully on the way in and out.
Wave fit
Skill suited
Intermediate → Advanced
BegIntAdv
Best months
Jan – Dec
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Character
Fickle right-hand jetty and sandbar with cedar stump hazards.
Conditions
When it worksHazards
Since it's a favorite byway for dolphins just a few feet offshoreThey may mistake your toes for blue fish.
Trip planning
Quick facts
Water temp
4° to 24°C
Wetsuit
5/4 + booties (winter) / 3/2 (summer)
What to bring
- Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 4in for chest-to-overhead days
- Fish or funboard for smaller, weaker surf
- Longboard on smaller cleaner days when the right walls
Lineup
Easy-going
Where it sits
Location
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About this break
What it's actually like
Access & Facilities
Paid parking inside Cape Henlopen State Park. Entry fee varies for in-state versus out-of-state vehicles. Facilities are available within the park. Water quality is clean. The real hazard here isn't locals: dolphins regularly cruise within a few feet of the lineup, and the cedar stumps at low tide are shin-height ankle-snappers, so booties are strongly recommended.
Nearby Alternatives
If Naval Jetties isn't lining up, Rehoboth Beach to the south picks up similar S and SE swell energy with more consistent beach peaks across a wider stretch of sand. Dewey Beach offers additional peaks that can handle NE swell when the season turns.
10-day swell, wind and tide
Naval Jetties surf forecast
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Forecast by Windy.app
Stay nearby
Camps within boat range
Browse all United States surf camps
No vetted camps within boat range of Naval Jetties yet.
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Plan a trip
Build a trip around Naval Jetties
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Frequently asked
What you need to know before paddling out at Naval Jetties
What skill level is Naval Jetties suited for?
Naval Jetties is a mixed bottom, fickle right-hand jetty and sandbar with cedar stump hazards, break suited for intermediate through advanced surfers.
What size does Naval Jetties work best at?
Working size is 4 to 7 ft. Below 4 ft the swell goes flat. Above 7 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf Naval Jetties?
Naval Jetties fires from August through February. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does Naval Jetties need?
Naval Jetties switches on with swells out of the SE to NE (135 to 45 degrees).
What are the main hazards at Naval Jetties?
Main hazards at Naval Jetties: Since it's a favorite byway for dolphins just a few feet offshore, they may mistake your toes for blue fish..
What type of wave is Naval Jetties?
Naval Jetties is a right-breaking wave over mixed. Fickle right-hand jetty and sandbar with cedar stump hazards.
Sources
- Surfline
Naval Jetties
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