Pa/Delaware/MD/NoVa beaches with waves like OBX and Lauderdale?

Stagiaire Fash

On our trip to the NE US, we’d (ok—I would—my son doesn’t care) love to stop by a beach for a weekend. We hope to travel by Amtrack, so I don’t think we can get to Virginia Beach.

Requirement 1: WAVES My last couple beach visits have been dismally flat water—I need waves!

Non-requirement 1: bath-water temps. I’m cold-water hardy, am heading to an outdoor pool on this mid-60s day, and one of my favorite beaches in the world is in the North Sea. Water temps might reach 60, but the waves are always wonderful.

Any suggestions?

2 years ago

Off Topic

13 replies

Latest reply was from Kate

Anonymous

Amtrack doesn't go to MD, DE beaches. I wish it did...maybe it would keep the tourists off the roads! I don't think Virginia Beach either, haven't been there in years. The trains are around the I95 corridor- not the coast.

The water will be pretty warm- I SUP as late as end of October, so water is 60+.
Waves...not flat like the Gulf, but not great- unless there's a hurricane. 2 feet maybe. There aren't many surfers!

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, where are you referring to in your last paragraph? Don't you SUP in the Bay? I want to be on the Atlantic side. If we have to rent a car, we will, but I hope that there might be a bus or something that gets close to our destination, or maybe even a hotel shuttle. But first we have to figure out what that destination is--there's a lot of coastline to pick from!

Va Beach is a moot point--sorry I mentioned it. By car or by Amtrack, it is too far off our route from NYC to DC.

2 years ago

Anonymous

No I SUP on the various rivers, not the bay- yet.
There are busses that go to Atlantic City NJ, but I don't know of any for any DelMarVa beaches. Everyone drives From DC expect 3 hr or so drive (without traffic) to Ocean City, Rehobeth, etc.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Now we're getting there! Are those beaches you'd recommend/that have waves?I think my knowledge level is far below what you think.

2 years ago

Anonymous

Again they're not big waves! I like Rehobeth, Bethany, Chincoteage/ Assateague, and Cape Henlopen- but DS may like OC more cause it's more teen oriented. There are amusement rides, waterparks, arcades, mini golf- but I think it's pretty cheesy overall! Rehobeth is OC-lite, so is Bethany. Much more laid back.
Cape Henlopen and Chincoteage/ Assateague are state parks- good for camping. You can camp on the beach. Assateague has wild ponies!

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

When we were growing up, my sister would get starry-eyed talking about Assateague’s ponies. Really, all I care about is the waves. Do any of the places you just mentioned have good ones?
DS will not be into carnivalesque stuff. It will be a big effort for him to be “on” during university visits, so loud, distracting, brightly-colored things are likely to be even more irritating to him than usual on the weekend. And even if he did prefer that, the trip is about him and mostly set up around his preferences, so I’d claim a waves weekend for me anyway.
Does Atl City have waves?

2 years ago

Anonymous

Again, nothing more than about 2 feet or so at any of them. I'd say comparable to east coast FL beaches. It's really the west coast of the US that has the good waves.
If you're talking jumping or boogie boarding in the waves, they're fine. Just the right height! They're just not great for surfing.
I get it about being on- he definitely wouldn't like OC! The most "off" places are definitely the state parks. September is definitely more laid back everywhere than Memorial Day- Labor Day.
I was last at Atlantic City over 20 years ago, but would say same re: waves.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sounds like you’re talking about Florida East coast maybe between Juno and Savannah GA, not Ft Lauderdale. That’s flatter than I’m looking for. I’ve only been in the water on the west coast once, which is why I referenced the beaches I do know. Hatteras, Nags Head, Ducks Head, Ocracoke….anywhere ive been on the OBX has waves like I want. The one time I’ve been to Va Beach, they were good too, but it might’ve been a fluke.

2 years ago

Anonymous

It does depend on the day- I've seen bigger on some days, but not as a rule. VA beach did seem higher but I was only there once. Never went to Hattaras or the others- though DH and I have talked about it.

All good, maybe some of the more northern fabbers will have some good suggestions!

I'm just happy when I get any beach day

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks ST! Now I know where there’s what I don’t want. That’s helpful too. My nephew is like you, was shaking his head in disbelief at how boring I find a beach without waves. I remember going to Cape Cod when I was 10 and walking out a little further to get to the waves, and a little further, a little further…. Eventually the lifeguard tried to call me back in, but I couldn’t hear them, so my dad came out to get me. Little crowd murmured and tsk’ed at the girl who went too far. They were hoping for drama, just got a kid who was bored with their beach. I’m still like that (except now I know you can’t always walk out to find waves—sometimes they aren’t there)

2 years ago

ophelia

Veteran

Stagiaire Fash, just like on the east coast of Fl, wave size depends on a number of factors, storms at sea & tides & moon stage being 3 of them. There really isn’t a micro-ecological place of guaranteed certain -size waves in that area *as far as I recall,* which may not be that far. You could try NC Outer Banks if you are set on waves-still no guarantee- or time your visit w/ a passing hurricane, where you can find a wicked undertow. .

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Ophelia, yeah, I’m that nutski who gets in the water when there are warnings about an undertow. And yes, they explained all about why we shouldn’t do that in lifeguard and water safety instructor classes. Ironically, we might wind up having to reschedule *again* because of damage from Ida.

2 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I totally get the wave thing. I’m from NC and our beaches have some wicked wave action. Even my hometown’s estuarine river has more wave action than I saw the two times I was at Virginia Beach.

If you had the time, I’d say head to Ocracoke Island, the last island in the chain of NC’s Outer Banks. By mid-September, the island’s beautiful beaches are usually deserted by the tourists. There will be waves. Lots of wonderful waves. Though you do run the fairly sizeable risk of hurricanes as this is prime season now through the end of November.

I can’t speak to the wave action at Assateague, but it would seem a really appealing location for both you and your son.

Growing up with waves, and beautiful beaches devoid of clamoring hordes of beachgoers, I would avoid Ocean City like the plague. But you can see where I’m coming from. I will say Rehobeth is pretty in the winter.

2 years ago

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