The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following:
DPNR performed water quality analysis at 35 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of June 24 – June 28, 2024. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
Dorsch Beach
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
Cramer’s Park
Frederiksted Public Beach
New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
Ha’ penny Beach
Cane Bay
Buccaneer
Stony Ground
Rainbow Beach
Shoy’s
Sprat Hall
Columbus Landing
Chenay Bay
Gentle Winds
Princess (Condo Row)
Protestant Cay
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Secret Harbor
Bluebeard’s Beach
Frenchman’s Bay
Hull Bay Lindqvist Beach
Vessup Bay
Bolongo Bay
Brewers Bay
Magens Bay
Coki Point
Sapphire Beach
St. John
Great Cruz Bay
Johnson Bay
Oppenheimer Beach
Frank Bay
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
The following beach does not meet water quality standards because it exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold and, therefore, is not considered safe for swimming or fishing:
- Cruz Bay on St. John.
Please Note:
Samples were not collected on the following beaches due to excessive sargassum:
- Water Bay on St. Thomas
- Grapetree Bay on St. Croix.
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should be aware that stormwater runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and, therefore, should avoid areas of stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles and drainage basins) or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas