The small community of Woodland Beach, Delaware is considered one of the most unique towns in Delaware. It was once a thriving town, with amusement rides, restaurants and bars. There was even a famous roller coaster that took riders out over the bay! During the Hurricane of 1878, though, all of that changed. A massive tidal wave generated in the bay and took out over 35 miles of coast, from north of Collins Beach to down below Woodlands Beach. Neither town ever fully recovered from the devastation.
Today, Woodland Beach is a small community in Smyrna, renowned throughout the state by fishermen, and not many others. It's kind of a well-kept secret - you'd never read about Woodland Beach on a list of the best beach towns in Delaware, but it certainly deserves a mention. If you're looking for a quiet maritime escape to get away from it all, take a short drive through the marsh, out on a literal road to nowhere, and soak up the sun on what will feel like your own private beach.
Drive east on Delaware Route 6 until you can't drive any further.
DE 6 ends, quite literally, at the water. You'll end up at a small paved parking lot at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Management Area, a small beach that's technically in Smyrna, even though it's about 10 miles from downtown.
A small community of residents still call Woodland Beach their home and it is considered one of the best hidden gems in Delaware!
You can see houses that line the shore on the drive in to Woodland Beach - these Delawareans certainly know how to settle down away from the crowds and noise of city life.
Plenty of marsh grass, weeds and plants can be found along the border between asphalt and sand.
These grasses are vital to the wildlife that populate Woodland Beach, from waterfowl to insects, and everything in between.
Stroll along the sand and dip your toes in the water to cool off on a hot summer day.
Woodland is an unguarded beach, so I can't recommend swimming from the beach. However, the water is usually calm (except for when a storm is rolling in!) so it is perfect to walk along the surf and get your feet wet.
It's also an amazing place to collect jewelry-grade sea glass.
Woodland Beach is the ideal location to find gorgeous sea glass in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Artisans and travelers just can't stop themselves from picking up a piece to take home as the sea glass shines like jewels on the beach. Many sea glass artists come to Woodland for the high quality glass that washes up on the shore. It's certainly a great place to go treasure hunting.
The Woodland Beach Pier is what brings the most traffic to Woodland Beach.
An old wooden pier was replaced with a modern steel pier, and it's one of the nicest fishing piers in Delaware. Woodland Beach is renowned for its fishing.
Find the Woodland Beach Pier open and lit brightly even at night. Enjoy views of the Delaware Bay under the moonlight along the water for a truly special time.
If you're looking for a quiet place to drop a line and relax under the stars, Woodland Beach is amazing. Plus, because it's in the middle of the 6,000 acre Wildlife Management Area, the light pollution is minimal and the stars are incredible. If you feel like fishing, it’s a great idea to check for updated local fishing regulations before venturing out for a fun time on the pier. Popular catches include Striped Bass and Bluefish and even clams!
Crabbing is another popular activity at Woodland Beach. Again, be sure to follow Delaware’s Crabbing Regulations and check to see if you’ll need a fishing license first. You can check here for more useful and up-to-date information.
Delaware Blue Crabs are plentiful, so grab your crab traps and baskets and get ready for your summer crab bake. You're sure to bring in enough crab to feed a crowd.
If your crab traps come up empty, you can still admire some crabby critters
Woodland Beach is an extremely popular spot for Horseshoe Crabs to gather, mate, eat, and live. Don't let the creatures freak you out, though, and be sure to help them out if you find them on their backs, or stuck on the rocks. They're a vital part of the Delaware Bay ecosystem!
Of course, one of the best reasons to go to Woodland Beach is to enjoy solitude while the sun sets or rises
The view from the beach is incredible during both sunsets and sunrises. Local fisherman revere this spot for their late night fishing excursions partially because of the beauty that comes from a sunrise over the Delaware Bay.
The view from the pier is unrivaled in the state.
You can look west onto the Wildlife Management Area and catch a gorgeous sunset over a large, flat land. The tranquil Woodland Beach Wildlife Area protects over 6,000 acres of marsh, forest, and fields for Delaware’s beautiful wildlife. If you are lucky, you just might spot a bald eagle!
Or, you can stand on the beach and enjoy the view.
The Steel Pier makes for a great photography subject during sunrises and sunsets - the leading lines make you feel like you could walk right into the frame.
Delaware has so many great beaches that if Woodland isn't your idea of a great getaway, you've got so many other options. Check out our list of Top Delaware Beaches for more ideas to make the rest of your summer amazing.
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