Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rainbow and HoneyMoon beaches among four that do not meet water quality standards to swim or fish

Pictured: Rainbow beach on St. Croix
Photo credit: WTJX/Ato Hodge
Pictured: Rainbow beach on St. Croix

ST. CROIX – The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has released its latest Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program results, covering January 6–10, 2025. This program evaluates water quality across the U.S. Virgin Islands to ensure the safety of residents and visitors who enjoy swimming and fishing in local waters.

Beaches Safe for Swimming

After testing for Enterococci bacteria, water clarity, and overall quality, DPNR has deemed the following beaches safe for recreational activities:

St. Croix:

  • Buccaneer Beach
  • Gentle Winds
  • Protestant Cay
  • Cane Bay
  • Grapetree Beach
  • Shoy’s Beach
  • Chenay Bay
  • Ha’Penny Beach
  • Stony Ground
  • Cramers Park
  • New Ft. Louise Augusta
  • Dorsch Beach
  • Pelican Cove (Cormorant)
  • Frederiksted Public Beach
  • Princess Condo Row

St. Thomas:

  • Bluebeard’s Beach
  • Lindbergh Bay
  • Secret Harbor
  • Bolongo Bay
  • Lindqvist Beach
  • Vessup Bay
  • Brewer’s Bay
  • Magen’s Bay
  • Coki Point
  • Morningstar Beach
  • Hull Bay
  • Sapphire Beach

St. John:

  • Cruz Bay
  • Frank Bay
  • Great Cruz Bay
  • Johnson Bay
  • Oppenheimer Beach

Beaches to Avoid

Despite most beaches meeting safety standards, some failed to meet the established Enterococci bacteria threshold and pose a potential health risk for swimmers and fishers. These beaches include:

  • St. Thomas: Limetree Beach, Frenchman Bay
  • St. Croix: Rainbow Beach
  • Water Island: Honeymoon Beach

Additionally, no samples were collected at Water Bay on St. Thomas, leaving its water quality status unknown.

General Advisory

DPNR advises the public to avoid areas impacted by stormwater runoff, which can contain increased concentrations of bacteria and contaminants. Such areas include discolored water or those with foul odors, puddles, or drainage basins.

DPNR continues to monitor local waters to ensure public safety. For further information, contact the Division of Environmental Protection at (340) 773-1082 (St. Croix) or (340) 774-3320 (St. Thomas).