Lewes##, DE

  
FIG. 1 detailed aerial view of Lewes launch area

    The Lewes launch is located within the village of Lewes, Delaware
about 0.5 miles west of the ferry dock.  The launch provides access
 directly into the open waters of the Delaware bay, near Cape
Henlopen State Park.

Directions: Take U.S. 50 East and cross Bay Bridge. At 301/50 split,
remain on U.S. 50 East towards Ocean city.  About seven miles later,
at Jct Md Rt404, make a left hand turn at traffic signal onto Md Rt 404 E. 
 Continue thru Denton, Md bypass into Delaware where it becomes
De Rt 404. Drive thru villages of Bridgeville, DE and Georgetown, DE
and continue on De Rt 404 East, (also referred later to as U.S. 9 east)
and/or follow signs to Rehoboth beach. Upon reaching Rehoboth beach,
you will hit Jct De Rt 1 (i.e, coastal hwy).  Go straight across Rt 1
towards Lewes on U.S. Rt 9 East (Business).  This is Savanah Ave. 
Travel NE 2 or 3 miles on Savanah Ave to an end at the beach
 at a parking lot.

Where to Launch:  During the off season (Sept-May), you can park
for free in theparking lot at the end of Savanah Ave and access the
beach adjacent to the parking lot.  When the swimmers are present
during the summer, there is a fee to park in this parking lot and
windsurfers must yield to bathers. 

Alternative parking and an additional launching can be found about
1000 ft East at Georgia Ave.  Also, additional beach access can be
found by traveling west on Bay Ave (last sidestreet on your left on
 Savanah before reaching the parking lot).

Best Wind Directions: NW, N and NE

Regulations:  do not launch from guarded beach area and do not
 sail within marked guarded swim area during summer months,
fee to park during summer months, see FIG. 6 below for a list of
other regs

Amenities:  trash barrels, restrooms and showers during summer
months

Hazards:  swells present, even in calm weather

Other Comments:  You encounter deep water when away from shore. 
Since you are sailing directly into the open waters of the Delaware bay,
this launch is classified as "##" for advanced sailors only.  Swells
present, even in  light winds

In a Nutshell: Local advanced sailors like to sail at Lewes for NE
winds and sometimes on N and NW, go to Holts landing on E winds,
go to Dewey Beach Oceanside for S and SE winds, to Assateague
oceanside for S and SW winds, and to Dewey beach bayside for all
other wind directions.

FIG. 2 view of launch area at end of Savanah Ave looking west
 in mid summer

FIG. 3 view of parking lot of the Eastern most launch at
Georgia Ave in mid summer

FIG. 4 view of guarded beach area in mid summer with
docked ferry boat in the background

FIG. 5 Zoomed-out aerial view of the Lewes launch area
in relation to Cape Henlopen

FIG. 6 view of sign posted at all of the Lewes launches
showing regulations