Delaware is famous for its beaches, which draw tourists and locals alike due to their safety and cleanliness, amenities, and great vacation atmosphere. But, did you know that Delaware's beaches are recognized nationally, too? For several years now, the National Resource Defense Council has named Delaware's beaches as the Best Beaches in the United States when it comes to clean water and clean beaches. Wow - that's quite an honor!

One beach, in particular, has drawn praise and top ratings for years now as the cleanest beach in Delaware, and that's Rehoboth Beach. It should be no surprise to hear that if you've visited Delaware's most popular beach, though. Take a look at what makes Rehoboth Beach the cleanest beach in Delaware, and why you should plan a beach day now before the cold weather comes and steals summer from us all.

Every year, over 7 million people visit Delaware...

...and most of them head for the beach. That's incredible, considering that is over seven times the population of the ENTIRE state! What's even more impressive is that many of them come from states with coasts and beaches themselves, including Ocean City, Maryland and the famous Jersey Shore. So, why do so many people choose to come to our little state instead?

Beach goers gather at many of our bay and ocean beaches, like Rehoboth, for their cleanliness.

Rehoboth is Delaware's most popular beach, and for good reason - it's one of the cleanest beaches in United States. Rehoboth has been rated as a 5-star "Superstar" beach award for its perfect swimming water quality over the past 4+ years.  Rehoboth was one of only 13 other Superstar Beaches designated by the NRDC in all of the coastal states of the country, making it one of the best places to swim for miles and miles.

You can be sure the water you're wading in has been rigorously tested for pollutants, too.

Delaware, as a state, is also recognized as having one of the most comprehensive water quality testing programs in the country. So, if you're swimming in Delaware water, it's clean and pristine. Maybe that's why Delaware is picky about where you can swim in State Parks - they want to uphold the reputation of only allowing the highest standards for its resident swimmers.

The water at Rehoboth Beach is beautiful, blue, and warm.

This summer, the water at Rehoboth has been unseasonably warm, allowing even those who hesitate to jump in a great excuse to get wet. And while part of the thrill of jumping into the ocean is the chill you feel while you get used to it, I'm certainly not complaining about 80+ degree, pool-temperature salt water.

Rehoboth Beach is a great place to get out on the water in Delaware, too.

Whether you want to go ocean kayaking, try a stand-up paddle board, or windsurf, local experts at DelMarva Board Sport Adventures can hook you up with the right equipment and can even give you lessons on how to master your board or watercraft.

When you want to get out of the sun and the surf, you can walk along the boardwalk.

Rehoboth is more than just the cleanest beach in Delaware - it's got the most going on, too. The famous Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk is packed with stores, shops and restaurants for you to enjoy, and live entertainment at the Bandstand will keep the party going well into the night.

The clean water and wonderful atmosphere at Rehoboth Beach will call you back again and again.

So many people return to Rehoboth Beach every year, and it's clear to see why. With clean water, plenty of amenities, and a lot of adventures to find, this beautiful Delaware beach will be a favorite of yours for years to come.

If you're looking for more beaches in Delaware to explore, you can be assured that the water open for swimming is clean and well maintained, thanks to the great beach replenishment projects that the state works on year-round. We've written quite a bit about the top Delaware beaches, so even if Rehoboth isn't your cup of tea, you'll certainly find your own slice of paradise in Delaware.