Beach Advisory 2.20.26 (1)
Office of the Commissioner CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, February 20, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEACH ADVISORY 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, a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis at 31 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of February 17, 2025–February 20, 2026. Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: St. Croix Buccaneer Beach Gentle Winds Rainbow Beach Cane Bay Grapetree Bay Beach Shoys Beach Chenay Bay Ha’Penny Beach Sprat Hall Cramers Park New Ft. …
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Office of the Commissioner CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov Friday, February 20, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BEACH ADVISORY 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, a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following: DPNR performed water quality analysis at 31 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of February 17, 2025–February 20, 2026. Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: St. Croix Buccaneer Beach Gentle Winds Rainbow Beach Cane Bay Grapetree Bay Beach Shoys Beach Chenay Bay Ha’Penny Beach Sprat Hall Cramers Park New Ft. Louisa Augusta Stony Ground Dorsch Beach Pelican Cove (Comorant) Frederiksted Public Beach Protestant Cay GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES --------0-------- DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4611 Tutu Park Mall 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted Suite 300 St. Croix, VI 00840 St. Thomas, VI 00802 (340) 773-1082 (340) 774-3320 dpnr.vi.gov St. Thomas Bluebeards Beach Lindbergh Bay Bolongo Bay Lindqvist Beach Brewers Bay Sapphire Beach Coki Point Secret Harbor Frenchman Bay Vessup Bay Hull Bay Limetree Beach The following beaches do not meet water quality standards because they exceed the established Enterococci bacteria threshold and are therefore, considered unsafe for swimming or fishing: • Princess Condo Row on St. Croix • Magens Bay on St. Thomas • Honeymoon Beach (Druif) on Water Island. Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches. • Morningstar Beach on St. Thomas. • Water Bay on St. Thomas • Beaches on St. John. Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown. Please be advised that anyone swimming in waters contaminated with sewage, stormwater, or with large amounts of sargassum may be at an elevated health risk due to elevated concentrations of bacteria or other contaminants. Waters impacted by sewage, stormwater runoff (i.e., guts, puddles, and drainage basins), large amounts of sargassum, or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors should be avoided. DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted 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.