TROUBLED WATERS: DPNR Issues Territory-Wide Beach Advisory, Leaves St. Croix in the Dark
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
CHRISTIANSTED — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) released its weekly beach water quality monitoring report on Friday, flashing a green light for weekend swimmers across much of the territory—while leaving St. Croix completely in the dark.
The weekly report, which tracks Enterococci bacteria levels and turbidity (water clarity) to ensure public safety, analyzed 17 designated swimming beaches between May 25 and May 29. The results revealed pristine, safe swimming conditions for 11 popular beaches on St. Thomas and 5 on St. John, alongside Water Island’s Honeymoon Beach.
However, a glaring omission in the report has raised eyebrows and frustrations locally: not a single beach on St. Croix was sampled this week.
The Crucian Blackout
According to the official release from the Office of the Commissioner, water quality on St. Croix remains officially "unknown". While St. Thomas only missed testing at Water Bay and Bluebeards Beach, the wholesale lack of data for St. Croix means locals and tourists planning to hit the waves this weekend will have to do so at their own risk.
Officials did not provide an immediate reason for the testing gap on St. Croix, but the timing is highly inconvenient as the summer heat begins to draw larger crowds to the shoreline.
A Looming Threat on the Shoreline
The missing data is particularly concerning given DPNR’s concurrent, stark health warnings regarding environmental hazards. The department strongly advises the public to completely avoid any waters heavily impacted by sewage, stormwater runoff, or—most critically for this time of year—large accumulations of decaying sargassum seaweed.
"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," the advisory warns, pointing out that discolored water or foul odors are immediate red flags. Runoff trapped in natural guts, puddles, and drainage basins after recent rains acts as a breeding ground for contaminants.
For a community deeply reliant on its beaches for recreation, mental health, and tourism, the lack of definitive testing leaves St. Croix in an uncomfortable regulatory limbo.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
While St. Croix waits for the testing apparatus to spin back into action, residents are urged to use extreme caution and their best judgment before diving in.
If you are looking for verified safe waters and don't mind a hop across the deep blue, the following territory beaches have been officially cleared for swimming and fishing:
St. Thomas: Secret Harbor, Bolongo Bay, Brewers Bay, Coki Point, Sapphire Beach, Hull Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Lindqvist Beach, Magens Bay, Vessup Bay, and Frenchman's Bay.
St. John: Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer Beach, Frank Bay, Johnson Bay, and Great Cruz Bay.
Water Island: Honeymoon Beach.
DPNR assures the public that they will continue to monitor the impacted waters. Concerned residents seeking further information regarding localized water quality are encouraged to contact the Division of Environmental Protection directly at (340) 773-1082 on St. Croix or (340) 774-3320 on St. Thomas.
🟢 Safe for Swimming & Fishing
The following 17 designated beaches throughout the Territory met all water quality standards for Enterococci bacteria and water clarity (turbidity):
St. Thomas
Secret Harbor
Bolongo Bay
Brewers Bay
Coki Point
Sapphire Beach
Hull Bay
Lindbergh Bay
Lindqvist Beach
Magens Bay
Vessup Bay
Frenchman's Bay
St. John
Cruz Bay
Oppenheimer Beach
Frank Bay
Johnson Bay
Great Cruz Bay
Water Island
Honeymoon Beach
🟡 Water Quality Unknown (Not Sampled)
Samples were not collected at several locations this week, meaning their current water quality is unknown and cannot be verified as safe:
St. Thomas: Water Bay and Bluebeards Beach
St. Croix: All beaches
⚠️ Standard Health Advisories
DPNR reminds the public that swimming in areas heavily impacted by stormwater runoff (such as guts, puddles, and drainage basins), sewage, or large accumulations of decaying sargassum poses an elevated risk of infection due to high bacteria concentrations. Avoid any areas with foul odors or discolored water.
For further questions, you can contact the Division of Environmental Protection directly at (340) 773-1082 on St. Croix or (340) 774-3320 on St. Thomas.
