Drive down Route 1 past R.B. and you're in Dewey. Parking can suck in the busy months. There are a few meters but from May to October if you don't have a permit you may have to park on the west side of 1 and walk a little.
While DB can have isolated moments of brilliance, it's certainly not my first choice under normal circumstances. In the summer you're supposed to avoid swimmers by 100' and you'll probably be reminded by a lifeguard more than once. Sometimes it's impossible to surf with so many people in the water and sometimes the lifeguards are on your side. As far as the lineup goes, since there are miles of coast to search for a break crowds aren't usually a problem.
Overview
Atmosphere
No problems with localism, and the goon factor is only high on that rare summer day when Dewey goes off and every tourist decides to surf for the first time. After the crowds return to NJ and PA in the fall you can have your own stretch of beach with hurricane swell providing some decent surf.
General
Dewey is not usually worth going to when there's a legitimate swell in DE; head to IRI instead. That being said, on less than epic days when the Inlet is ridiculously packed, head a few miles north, find yourself a break in Dewey and avoid leaving with holes in your board.
Dewey Beach flook?
Got this place just after Ernesto came through.Was really good for two days.Maybe the banks, the tide and the really perfect offshore winds combined to deliver the goods.
comment by SAFFA Mike, 2006-09-18 17:46:21