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Health & Fitness

DPNR: Secret Harbor Deemed Not Safe For Swimming

Secret Harbor, Hull Bay, Great Cruz Bay, Johnson Bay, and Water Bay all had high levels of Enterococci Bacteria, says DPNR.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources released the results of the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program on Friday and several popular beaches did not pass muster. Secret Harbor, Hull Bay, Water Bay, Great Cruz Bay, and Johnson Bay all exceeded the "established Enterococci Bacteria threshold and therefore are not considered to be safe for swimming or fishing," according to the DPNR Beach Advisory.

It's worth noting that the program takes samples and performs water quality analysis during the week of September 13 – September 17, so the water quality may improve within days of the advisory being published.

The following beaches did meet water quality standards and DPNR considers them safe for swimming and fishing:

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St. Croix
  • Stony Ground
  • Pelican Cove
  • Dorsch Beach
  • Cramer’s Park
  • Shoy’s
  • Frederiksted Public Beach
  • Protestant Cay
  • Halfpenny Beach
  • Rainbow Beach
  • Buccaneer
  • Chenay Bay
  • New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta)
  • Cane Bay
  • Princess (Condo row)

St. Thomas

  • Lindbergh Bay
  • Sapphire Beach
  • Lindqvist Beach
  • Magen’s Bay
  • Vessup Bay
  • Bolongo
  • Frenchman’s Bay
  • Coki Point
  • Bluebeards

Water Island

  • Honeymoon Beach
St. John
  • Frank Bay
  • Cruz Bay
  • Oppenheimer
Samples were not taken from the following beaches, therefore the water quality is unknown.
  • Sprat Hall, Grapetree Bay and Columbus Landing on St. Croix
  • Brewer’s Bay on St. Thomas.

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