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:

SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR FISHING

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 21 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of March 15-19, 2021 .

The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:

St. Croix

• Cane Bay
• Dorsch Beach
• Frederiksted Public Beach
• Gentle Winds
• Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
• Rainbow Beach
• Stoney Ground

St. Thomas

• Bluebeard’s Beach
• Bolongo Bay
• Brewer’s Bay
• Coki Point
• Frenchman’s Bay
• Hull Bay
• Limetree Bay
• Lindbergh Bay
• Lindquist Beach
• Magen’s Bay
• Sapphire Beach
• Secret Harbor
• Vessup Bay
• Water Bay

Water Island

• Honeymoon Beach

WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN

Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:

• Princess, Protestant Cay, New Fort, Buccaneer, Shoy’s, Chenay Bay, Cramer’s Park, Grapetree Bay, and Halfpenny Beach on St. Croix (due to time constraints)
• Morningstar on St. Thomas (due to time constraints)
• Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer, Johnson Bay, Great Cruz Bay, and Frank Bay on St. John (due to vehicle issues).

Therefore, the water quality of these beaches, is unknown.

NOTES

All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.

For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.