Office of the Commissioner 
 
 
GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES 
--------0-------- 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 
            4611 Tutu Park Mall  
 
              45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted 
            Suite 300, 2nd Floor 
                                       St. Croix, VI 00840 
            St. Thomas, VI  00802                                                       (340) 773-1082 
            (340) 774-3320   
 
                                                    dpnr.vi.gov 
 CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator 
jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov 
 
Friday, May 24, 2024 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
BEACH ADVISORY 
 
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach 
Water Quality Monitoring Program, which 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 18 designated beaches throughout the 
Territory, during the week of May 20 – May 24, 2024, collecting samples on May 20 - 
May 21.  
 
However, the Territory has experienced significant rainfall in the days following sample 
collection.  Therefore, please be advised that there may be an elevated health risk to 
anyone swimming in storm water-impacted areas because of increased concentrations 
of bacteria or other contaminants.   
 
Areas of storm water runoff (i.e., guts, puddles, and drainage basins) or any area that 
appears discolored or has foul odors should be avoided.  DPNR will continue to monitor 
impacted areas and waters. 
 
Based on the analytical results, the following beaches met the water quality standards 
and are considered safe for swimming and fishing:   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
St. Thomas 
 
Brewers Bay 
Coki Point 
Bluebeard’s Beach 
Frenchman’s Bay 
Hull Bay 
Lindqvist Beach 
Vessup Bay 
Bolongo Bay 
Secret Harbor 
Magens Bay 
Sapphire Beach 
Lindbergh Bay 
St. John 
 
Cruz Bay  
Frank Bay 
Oppenheimer Beach 
 
Johnson Bay 
 
Great Cruz Bay 
 
 
 
 
 
PLEASE NOTE:  Samples were not collected on ST. CROIX and due to the presence of 
excessive sargassum, samples were not collected at the following beach: 
• Water Bay on St. Thomas. 
Therefore, the water quality at these beaches is unknown. 
 
For additional information regarding water quality call the Division of Environmental 
Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas. 
 
 
Water Island 
Honeymoon Beach