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 33 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of Feb. 21 – Feb. 25, 2022. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:
St. Croix
Stony Ground
Pelican Cove (Comorant)
Shoy’s
Dorsch Beach
Princess (Condo Row)
Chenay Bay
Frederiksted Public Beach
New Fort (Fort Louise Augusta)
Cramer’s Park
Rainbow Beach
Ha’ penny Beach
Cane Bay
Buccaneer
St. Thomas
Lindbergh Bay
Sapphire Beach
Lindqvist Beach
Brewers Bay
Vessup Bay
Coki Point
Water Bay
Secret Harbor
Bluebeard’s Beach
Magens Bay
Hull Bay
Bolongo Bay
Frenchman’s Bay
Limetree
Morningstar
St. John
Cruz Bay
Frank Bay
Oppenheimer
Johnson Bay
The following beach does not meet water quality standards because it exceeds the established enterococci bacteria threshold and therefore is not considered safe for swimming or fishing:
Great Cruz Bay on St. John.
Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:
Gentle Winds, Protestant Cay and Grapetree Bay on St. Croix.
Honeymoon Beach on Water Island
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown.
All persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and, therefore, should avoid areas of storm water 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.
