While it might not have the boardwalk or the commercial activity of its larger neighbor to the north, South Bethany is a popular destination for homeowners who enjoy beachgoing and boating. "It's a small seaside beach town," says Allison Foshee, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who works in the area. "South Bethany has homes with canal access, so you can not only have your house but also park your boat at your house." This small town is just south of Bethany Beach and flanked by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Jefferson Creek to the west. The canals on the west side of town make it easy for most residents to hop on the boat and travel through the creek to Little Assawoman Bay. The town offers a quiet coastal lifestyle with convenient access to the shops and restaurants of the other nearby beachside communities.
Recreation from the beach to the forest
South Bethany residents have easy access to sandy beaches on the east side of town. The town's small size makes it easy for residents to walk to one of the beach access points and set up for a day in the sand. Residents who live on the canals can step out their back door and set out for a day of boating, kayaking and fishing on the Little Assawoman Bay. Foshee says hiking at nearby state parks is a popular activity as well. Holts Landing State Park is about 8 miles northwest of town and has trails that take visitors through hardwood and conifer forests and grassy meadows. Crabbing and fishing are also popular activities in the shallow waters of the Indian River. Fenwick Island State Park is just 1.5 miles south of town, offering 3 miles of shoreline and plenty of surf fishing opportunities. Residents can also rent kayaks and take a paddling trip through the bay.
Volleyball is a great sport to play at South Bethany Beach.
The waves crash into the shore at South Bethany Beach.
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Waterfront homes throughout town
Homes in South Bethany are typically coastal cottages and bungalows. The houses often have large porches with white railings, offering plenty of room to sit outside and enjoy the salty air. Most homes are built on pilings with space for parking underneath. Vinyl and wood siding are standard, often in shades of blue and gray. Most homes on the west side of Coastal Highway back up to the canals. The houses in the town are built close together, and most don't have much of a yard. A three-bedroom house can cost between $850,000 and $1.2 million. Four-bedroom homes typically cost between $1 million and $1.7 million. Five- and six-bedroom homes in town cost $3 million to $4 million.
Canals cut through the neighborhood of South Bethany.
Locals park their cars in their driveways and their boats in their back yards in South Bethany.
Large, unique homes are a staple of South Bethany.
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Dining up and down the coast
While South Bethany is a small town, a few popular restaurants exist in the area. Grotto Pizza is a seasonal pizza chain offering dine-in or takeout pies. Rosenfeld's Deli is a popular local chain of kosher Jewish delis known for its corned beef and Reuben sandwiches. The coastal towns around South Bethany are home to plenty more restaurants, and Foshee says residents are willing to drive up and down the coast for a good meal. "People come here from Ocean City to eat. People will drive down to Ocean City to eat. It's really not too far to get to any of the good restaurants. Everywhere you want to go in the general area will be about 20 minutes," she says. Residents with a boat can head south through the bay to waterfront restaurants like Harpoon Hanna's, which has plenty of boat parking. This classic seafood restaurant offers views of the bay and is known for its crab dip and crab legs. The closest full-service grocery store is a Giant about 4.5 miles away in Millville. There is a CVS north of town on Coastal Highway for pharmacy needs and other household items. Residents can visit the town of Bethany Beach to visit local stores offering everything from comic books to surf gear and sunglasses.
York Beach Mall in South Bethany is home to local favorites like Grotto Pizza.
Kids love visiting Kites, Tails & Toys near South Bethany.
South Bethany is home to many small businesses.
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Preparing students to lead their communities
Students in South Bethany will likely attend Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Selbyville Middle School and Indian River High School. Selbyville Middle is rated a B-plus by Niche, while Lord Baltimore Elementary and Indian River High are each rated an A-minus. Lord Baltimore Elementary is located in nearby Ocean View, about 4 miles from town. Selbyville Middle and Indian River High are each about 12 miles west of town. The high school has around 1,000 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. Students can participate in several community service clubs at the school, including the Leo Club, which operates under the supervision of the local Lion Club. The Enviro-Act Club organizes projects like bay cleanups and dune grass plantings. The school has a successful athletic program, winning state championships in football, basketball, softball and soccer.
Indian River High School faithfully serves the community of South Bethany.
Lord Baltimore Elementary School is a highly rated, public school in South Bethany.
Selbyville Middle School is an above average, public school near South Bethany.
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A quick drive to nearby towns
Coastal Highway gives residents a route north and south throughout the area. Bethany Beach is just 2 miles north of town, while Rehoboth Beach is about 15 miles north. Ocean City, Maryland is about 13 miles south of town. Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach gives residents a route west to towns like Millville and Millsboro.
Photography Contributed By
Caleb Jones
Video By
Alex Jacobsen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vince DiPietro,
an experienced agent in this area.
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Looking for a spacious waterfront home with beautiful views of the canal and Jefferson Creek? Welcome to 309 W 2nd St in South Bethany, offering a fantastic open floor plan and your own private dock so you can jump on your boat or kayak whenever you want! This home features an inverted floor plan to capture all of the best water and sunset views from the large, open great room. The kitchen flows
Delightful, South Bethany quality built home on one of the largest prime lots in the entire community. Located on a quiet "cul de sac", walking and biking distance, or a quick drive to the beach with your South Bethany parking permit. Never rented and being sold by the original owner, this home was built for easy beach living and a provides a wonderful place to make family memories together.
Extraordinary Coastal Charm personified in this 5 bedroom canal front retreat. Enjoy the beach lifestyle just a short stroll to award winning beaches or hop on your boat or jet skis and enjoy the beautiful bay. Oversized sand colored Ceramic tile on first and second floor. First floor is host to two bedroom and full bath ,laundry room and huge storage area. Bedrooms have access to outdoor
Looking for a spacious waterfront home with beautiful views of the canal and Jefferson Creek? Welcome to 309 W 2nd St in South Bethany, offering a fantastic open floor plan and your own private dock so you can jump on your boat or kayak whenever you want! This home features an inverted floor plan to capture all of the best water and sunset views from the large, open great room. The kitchen flows
Delightful, South Bethany quality built home on one of the largest prime lots in the entire community. Located on a quiet "cul de sac", walking and biking distance, or a quick drive to the beach with your South Bethany parking permit. Never rented and being sold by the original owner, this home was built for easy beach living and a provides a wonderful place to make family memories together.
Extraordinary Coastal Charm personified in this 5 bedroom canal front retreat. Enjoy the beach lifestyle just a short stroll to award winning beaches or hop on your boat or jet skis and enjoy the beautiful bay. Oversized sand colored Ceramic tile on first and second floor. First floor is host to two bedroom and full bath ,laundry room and huge storage area. Bedrooms have access to outdoor
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
