Deale is a bayfront Maryland community with boating and fishing
People from all walks of life come to Deale for its boating on Rockhold Creek and the Chesapeake Bay, locally owned restaurants on the water and easygoing atmosphere 30 miles east of Washington, D.C. “There are a lot of people that have been here for multiple generations. And you also have a lot of people that come to the area for jobs and discover Southern Anne Arundel County and fall in love with it and move here,” says Amelia Whitman, agent with Long & Foster Real Estate and native to the area.
Homes facing the water, along quiet residential streets
Deale’s small subdivisions and quiet residential streets have an established feel, with towering trees and rustic wooden fences adorning some front yards. Many homes face the water, with private piers on the river or bay. Homebuyers typically find cottages, bi-levels and ranch-style homes between $260,000 and $550,000. More spacious Colonial Revival and New Traditional properties sell for between $550,000 and just over $1 million. It's important to note that some properties in Deale, especially along the waterfront, are at risk of flooding. Deale’s Cap Index Crime Score of 2 is lower than the national average of 4.
Boating along Rockhold Creek is a favored weekend activity
Rockhold Creek Marina and Shipwright Harbor Marina are among the options for boat owners in Deale. Daily fish charters wind up Rockhold Creek, and Chesapeake Paddle Sports rents kayaking and paddleboarding equipment for days on the water. Deale Community Park, a 12-acre site off Route 256, is also expected to open in September 2025. Plans for the space include a playground, dog park and walking trail.
Waterfront restaurants and other businesses in Deale
After an afternoon on the water, locals can dock their boat at Skipper's Pier Restaurant & Dock Bar, one of several boat-accessible restaurants in the area, and enjoy a cocktail and dishes like oysters, calamari and salmon. Other businesses in Deale include the laid-back Happy Harbor Restaurant, also on the water, and South County Cafe. "Deale has what you could call a town center, a main drag. There's a whole bunch of options," Whitman says. For groceries, Christopher's Fine Foods is just down the street on Shady Side Road, and Dunkirk has chains including Walmart and Safeway 11 miles southwest.
Year-round events in Deale
Each December, the community puts on the Deale Parade of Lights. Boats decked out with Christmas lights ride down the water, showing off each owner's creativity and holiday spirit. Warmer months in Deale mean Thursdays and Saturdays are SoCo Farmers Market Days. Vendors and farmers sell their wares in the Deale Library parking lot.
Students attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Children may begin at Deale Elementary School, which earns a B rating from Niche, before progressing to B-minus-rated Southern Middle School and B-plus-rated Southern High School. High schoolers have many options for exploring their interests: the school has dozens of athletic teams, many Advanced Placement and honors course options, and career and technical education pathways in subjects like cosmetology and welding.
Commutable to Annapolis or Washington, D.C.
Deale is about 30 miles east of downtown Washington, D.C. and 20 miles south of Annapolis. Commuters to the D.C. area can drive along Route 4 or take a bus into the city from one of several park-and-ride locations, such as the Lothian Wrighton Road Park & Ride. The D.C. Region also has Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. For medical care, the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis is one of the closest options.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
