As a small community on a stretch of some of the best beaches on the East Coast, Fenwick Island can easily get lost in the shuffle of the nearby resort towns. But that's just the way locals like it. "It's a great small coastal town with beautiful beaches, restaurants and shops," says Kim Hamer, Senior Vice President with Monument Sotheby's International Realty. "The beaches are not as crowded as other towns because you can't pay to park. It's pretty much just the people that live here and rent here on the beaches." With a population of just 335 residents, Fenwick Island is smaller than the nearby beach towns of Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City, Maryland. It doesn't get as lively as the party-centric Dewey Beach, just 15 miles north. This small community just north of the Maryland state line is known for its laid-back coastal lifestyle without any of the hubbub.
Fun on the beach or the bay
With the beach nearby, Fenwick Island residents are always just steps away from the water. Several footpaths on Bunting Avenue give residents plenty of ways to access the beach and enjoy a day in the sun. Fenwick Island State Park is just north of the town, offering 3 miles of natural shoreline. The park also has access to the bay, where residents can put in kayaks and paddle in the Little Assawoman Bay. Surf fishing and hunting for ghost crabs are also popular activities at this serene park. Cannon Street Park is a small city park with a half-court basketball court, kayak launch, and a garden where residents can enjoy the scenery.
Fenwick Island has large sandy beaches with a peaceful ambiance.
Fenwick Island's beach along the Atlantic Ocean is fantastic for leisurely strolls.
Swimming, surfing, sailing and sunbathing at Fenwick Island State Park.
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Charming coastal homes
Most homes in Fenwick Island are single-family coastal cottages and Craftsman houses. Hamer says some larger homes are also being built in the area, but these still include classic coastal features like shingle siding and shades of gray and blue on the exterior. Many homes in the area are built on pilings with parking available underneath the house. Most houses in Fenwick Island are built close together with small yards. There are some condos and townhouses available in the area as well. Condos can cost anywhere from $500,000 to $900,000. Single-family homes cost between $1 million and $3 million, depending on how close they are to the water.
Going for a sail in Fenwick Island can be as easy as walking out of one's backdoor.
An assortment of townhouses can be found closer to the shore in Fenwick Island.
Modern and traditional styles of homes highlight the streets of Fenwick Island.
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Surf and turf right on Coastal Highway
Coastal Highway is lined with popular restaurants, but two stand out to Hamer. "JR's Seafood Shack is a good restaurant. Our Harvest has been here for a few years. It's a farm-to-table place that is really good, too," she says. JR's Seafood Shack is a brightly lit wood-paneled eatery serving seafood classics like crab cakes and oysters. Our Harvest is a classic American restaurant with leather booths serving steak, short ribs and swordfish. Residents can pick up snacks and some household items at the Royal Farms on Coastal Highway, but a complete grocery trip will take them inland. A Food Lion and Harris Teeter are on Lighthouse Road, each about 4.5 miles west of the city. While some restaurants are open year-round, many local businesses close during the offseason due to the town's status as a coastal resort.
Our Harvest in Fenwick Island offers the freshest harvest dining experience.
Fenwick Islanders love hanging out and watching the game at JR's Seafood Shack.
Larger grocery stores like Food Lion can be found not far from Fenwick Island.
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Traveling inland for highly rated schools
Students in Fenwick Island will likely attend Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, Selbyville Middle School and Indian River High School. Showell and Selbyville are each rated a B-plus by Niche, while Indian River receives an A-minus overall rating. The schools are located further inland, at least 10 miles from the neighborhood. Indian River is home to approximately 1,000 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The school has several student clubs and organizations, including the Leo Club, which operates under the supervision of the local Lions Club to put on community service projects. The Enviro-Act Club works with local environmental groups on bay cleanups, fish surveys and dune grass plantings.
Indian River High School offers the next step for the teens in the region.
Selbyville Middle School is an above average, public school located in Selbyville, DE.
Phillip C. Showell Elementary offers education for the youth of the area.
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A scenic drive up and down the coast
Coastal Highway is the main north-to-south route in the town. Residents can take the road 6 miles north to Bethany Beach or 10 miles south across the Maryland state line to Ocean City. Lighthouse Road gives residents a drive west to several small mainland towns. Salisbury, Maryland—one of the largest cities on the Delmarva Peninsula—is about 36 miles southwest of town.
Ocean City's 144th St North End Transit Station is just outside Fenwick Island.
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