🏖️ DPNR WEEKEND ADVISORY: St. John’s Great Cruz Bay Red-Flagged; St. Croix Water Quality Placed on 'Unknown' Status

By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has released its weekly beach water quality monitoring report for the Memorial Day weekend tracking cycle.

Environmental scientists sampled 18 designated beaches across the territory between May 18 and May 22, testing for Enterococci Bacteria and turbidity (water clarity). The findings reveal a stark divide for weekend beachgoers, featuring a major closure on St. John and a total testing blackout for St. Croix.

🔴 Red-Flagged: Unsafe for Swimming

Only one beach failed to meet the territory's strict water quality standards this week:

• St. John: Great Cruz Bay.

According to DPNR, testing at Great Cruz Bay showed bacterial concentrations exceeding the established environmental safety thresholds. The public is strongly advised to avoid swimming, wading, or fishing in these waters until further notice to avoid elevated health risks.

🟡 Unknown Status: No Samples Collected

In a frustrating turn for local residents planning long-weekend beach picnics, DPNR confirmed it completely missed testing at several locations:

• St. Croix: ALL BEACHES.

• St. Thomas: Water Bay.

Because no water samples were gathered from these areas, DPNR lists the water quality at these locations as completely unknown. Beachgoers should exercise caution, particularly near areas with visible stormwater runoff, guts, or heavy concentrations of rotting sargassum sea-oak.

🟢 Green-Flagged: Safe for Swimming & Fishing

A total of 17 monitored beaches successfully met all public health standards and are cleared for weekend recreation:

St. Thomas (Safe)St. John & Water Island (Safe)

* Secret Harbor

* Lindbergh Bay

* Bolongo Bay

* Lindqvist Beach

* Brewers Bay

* Magens Bay

* Coki Point

* Vessup Bay

* Sapphire Beach

* Frenchman's Bay

* Hull Bay

* Bluebeards Beach

St. John:

* Cruz Bay

* Oppenheimer Beach

* Frank Bay

* Johnson Bay

Water Island:

* Honeymoon Beach

⚠️ Public Health Notice: DPNR warns that swimming in waters impacted by sewage, recent stormwater runoff (including guts and drainage basins), or heavy sargassum can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, skin rashes, or ear and eye infections due to elevated bacterial concentrations. If the water appears discolored or carries a foul odor, stay on the sand.