Weekend Beach Advisory

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources on Friday issued its weekly beach advisory, making known that four beaches — three in St. Croix and one in St. Thomas — were not safe for swimming and fishing this weekend.

All other beaches, though, were cleared as safe.

The unsafe beaches in St. Croix according to D.P.N.R., are: Buccaneer (above), Shoy’s and Grapetree Bay. In St. Thomas, Brewer’s Bay was deemed unsafe.

Unsafe beaches are those that exceed the established enterococci bacteria threshold, according to D.P.N.R.

The safe beaches in St. Croix are: Stoney Ground, Protestant Cay, Cramer Park, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Rainbow, Cane Bay, Chenay Bay, Princess (Condo Row), A – Mill Harbour, Halfpenny and Princess (Condo Row).

In St. Thomas, the safe beaches include: Lindquist, Coki Point, Vessup Bay, Brewer’s Bay, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Bolongo Bay, Sapphire, Water Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Hull Bay, Lindbergh Bay and Magen’s Bay.

And in St. John, the safe beaches are: Oppenhiemer, Johnson Bay, Frank Bay, Cruz Bay and Great Cruz Bay.

High levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline, irresponsible recreational use, etc. Runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil & grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory, says DPNR.

The department, led by Commissioner Dawn L. Henry, says it will continue to monitor these popular swimming areas. DPNR also recommends that residents use their discretion when swimming or fishing at the designated beaches. If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish.

For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix.

Correction: Jan. 28, 2017

A previous version of this article, because of a text error, listed Brewer’s Bay as being in St. John, when the beach is actually located in St. Thomas. We’ve updated the article reflect the correct information.