Rehoboth Beach: Salt in my hair, sand between my toes

 Summer on America’s East Coast is incomplete without trips to the beach. For those who reside on the eastern seaboard, the nearest beach is always driving distance away, making beach vacation a favourite activity during the hot summer days. As someone who loves the ocean, sand, and salty air, trips to the beach are always rejuvenating. For the past decade, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware has been my top pick. As a Delaware resident, I am not being partial; I have been to other Atlantic coast beaches but none have matched Rehoboth’s vibrancy!

Often called the nation’s summer capital, Rehoboth Beach is in close proximity to major cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore. What sets Rehoboth Beach apart from other beaches on the East Coast is its vibrant energy. People of all ages flock here during the summer months to enjoy its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, a one-mile-long boardwalk, and numerous eateries, shops, and arcades. The entire area buzzes with energy from early morning until late into the night. Therefore, if you enjoy quiet and relaxed beach ambience, Rehoboth might not be the destination for you!

This past July, we booked a hotel right on the boardwalk, making it super convenient for us to visit the beach anytime of the day. My favourite times to spend on the beach are during sunrise and sunset. Watching the 4.6 billion-year-old sun setting into the depths of the ocean is a sight that never gets old; it never will. Anyone who has not witnessed sunset on the beach is missing out on one of nature’s most magnificent sights. 

Rehoboth is a bustling beach town, and the only time when it is less crowded is in the early morning hours, when most tourists are fast asleep from partying far into the night. In my opinion, the best time to experience Rehoboth’s beauty – its white sand beaches and its marine air – is during dawn. It is when a rose-pink light gradually illuminates the world followed by the sunrise. 

The coastal air quality is always better than the city’s; therefore, I take deep breaths as I stand on the sand with my eyes closed; the sun is on my face. With each exhalation, my worries are released into the ocean air, leaving me lighter and happier. 

Every year during our Rehoboth Beach trip, I go down on the sandy beach to bask in the sun. (Remember to wear sunscreen and sunglasses when at the beach, as UV radiation is higher in beach areas). I try not to think of anything stressful. All I do is lie on a picnic blanket with my eyes closed and breathe slowly. If I fall asleep, I don’t mind at all. 

This year, we spotted a significant number of jellyfish along the shore of Rehoboth. Later, I learned that their arrival was earlier than usual due to warming waters, a sad consequence of climate change. Jellyfish stings can be extremely painful and even life-threatening, so as we strolled along the shore, we were careful not to step on one. 

A beach getaway is not complete without ice cream or frozen dessert. We always stop at Rita’s, which is famous for its Italian ice, a dairy-free, frozen dessert made from sugar, finely granulated ice, and fruit juice. There is another place that I always visit – The Spice & Tea Exchange, a charming shop that smells delightful and specialises in artisan teas and spices. This year, I indulged in a bag of hazelnut cookie-flavoured Ceylon black tea. 

I find beach getaways truly reenergizing. I love filling my lungs with salty air, scooping up powdery white sand, and feeling it between my fingers. I love holding a beautiful white shell in my palm and being mesmerised by its intricate artistry. I also love the disheveled beach hair and the tan that I develop under the coastal sun! 

My annual trip to Rehoboth provides me with the relaxation and positivity that I need to live well and thrive in life. Autumn has arrived; therefore, it is going to be a wait of nearly a year before I can return to Rehoboth Beach.