Popular Beach Near Marriott Hotel On Turquoise Bay Fails Bacteria Testing

Popular Beach Near Marriott Hotel On Turquoise Bay Fails Bacteria Testing

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The beach closest to one of the most popular hotels on St. Thomas has failed water quality testing this week, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources said today.

Bluebeard’s Beach, which is located in Turquoise Bay on the east end of St. Thomas, next to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at GPS coordinates (18.32245, -64.8432) has high levels of bacteria in the water and should be avoided, according to DPNR.

Popular Beach Near Marriott Hotel On Turquoise Bay Fails Bacteria Testing
DPNR water sampling intake point (blue balloon, red writing) in Turquoise Bay next to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy: DPNR)

DPNR’s Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for Enterococci, Bacteria and Turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following:   

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 29 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of June 21, – June 25, 2021. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing: 

ST. CROIX

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

ST, THOMAS

St. Thomas 
Water Bay Sapphire Beach Lindqvist Beach 
Bolongo Bay Vessup Bay  Coki Point 
Frenchman’s Bay Secret Harbor  
Magen’s Bay Lindbergh Bay  
Brewer’s Bay Hull Bay  

WATER ISLAND

Water Island 
Honeymoon Beach  

The following beach does not meet water quality standards because it exceeds the established Enterococci Bacteria threshold and therefore is not considered safe for swimming or fishing: 

  • Bluebeard’s Beach on St. Thomas  

Please note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:  

  • Cruz Bay, Oppenheimer, Great Cruz Bay, Frank Bay and Johnson Bay on St. John 

Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown. 

All persons should be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health, and therefore, should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins) or any area that appears discolored or has foul odors. DPNR will continue to monitor impacted areas and 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.