Going to the beach this summer? Check our safe swimming map to plan your trip

The Puget Sound region and Washington coast have many beaches where you can spend the day relaxing, exploring and playing in the water. As you get ready to plan your next beach trip, check if a beach is open for swimming and recreation.

Each summer, we partner with local health agencies and volunteers to test the water at popular marine beaches that are at risk for fecal bacteria contamination. This year, we are monitoring 46 marine beaches from May 18 to Sept. 7, 2026.

Testing for fecal (poop) bacteria

We collect water samples from beaches every week or every two weeks. The samples are tested at a lab for fecal bacteria. Fecal bacteria are found in human and animal poop. Poop can get into the water from different sources, including people and toddlers (leaky diapers or a diarrhea incident in the water), pets, birds or other wildlife, sewage spills or septic leaks, and runoff from rivers and streams.

Although fecal bacteria are a natural part of the environment, their presence in the water could mean there are other disease-causing pathogens. High levels of fecal bacteria can make people sick with vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, ear infections, and fever. 

Look for signs posted at the beach

Beaches remain open if lab results show that bacteria levels meet health standards. However, if a beach water sample has high levels of bacteria that do not meet health standards, then that beach is closed or an advisory is issued to warn people to avoid the water.

Local health agencies post yellow warning or red beach closure signs, so look for them before you step in the water. In case of a sewage spill, beaches that are affected are closed with a sign posted to warn people not to swim.

Reduce your risk of illness

Even when a beach is open for public swimming, there are steps you can take to make sure you and your family reduce the risk of illness:

• Do not swallow beach water.
• Do not swim near a pipe or stream flowing into the water.
• Shower after swimming or spending time at a beach.
• Wash your hands before eating food.

If you get sick from swimming in contaminated waters, see your physician and contact us or your county public health department to report which beach may have caused your illness.

Help keep our beaches clean

Join us in keeping Washington's beaches clean and poop free. There are simple ways to keep bacteria out of the water:

• Use bathrooms and swim diapers - Give children frequent bathroom breaks and put younger children in swim diapers.
• Scoop the poop - Pick up your dog's poop, bag it, and throw it in the trash.
• Don't feed wildlife - Feeding the birds and other wildlife can be fun, but it encourages them to stick around, ultimately bringing more poop to the beach.
• Don't swim sick - Avoid swimming if you're not feeling well, especially if you have diarrhea.
• Pack out trash - Pack your trash in a bag and throw it away in the trash at the beach or at home.

Track beach advisories this summer

Our beach sampling season is underway until early September 2026. View current swimming advisories or sign-up for our email list to receive updates. We also post information about advisories and closures on social media. Follow us on Facebook for beach status updates.

Visit our website to learn more about the Washington beach monitoring program.