Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health (BEACH)
The BEACH Program monitors the safety of saltwater swimming beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We lead the program jointly with the Washington State Department of Health and work with county and local agencies, tribal nations, and volunteers. A summary of 2022 results by county is available.
Local health departments issue water contact advisories or closures at swimming beaches. The BEACH Program communicates the risk to the public and educates beachgoers on how to avoid getting sick from playing in the water.
For a larger view of the map, see closures and advisories.
Gray dots show that the beach is not currently monitored. Yellow triangles show that caution is advised. Green dots show that a beach is open and sampled weekly. You can also download BEACH data.
Find freshwater swimming information on the Lake water quality monitoring page.
Learn more about how and why beaches may be closed and how to help your local saltwater beach stay healthy and swimmable.
- Swimming tips to minimize risk — Know before you go. Make your swim a healthy one.
- Help your beach — Learn what you can do to keep Washington marine beaches safe for swimming. Be a good beach steward.
- Swimming standard & marine water quality — Learn about how EPA swimming standards apply to Washington beaches.
- Report an environmental issue — Report a sewage spill, oil spill, or other environmental issue by phone, email, or online form.
- Information for BEACH samplers — Detailed protocols and other resources for BEACH partners and others who may be interested in how the program works are here.
- Contact BEACH — Reach BEACH staff, sign up for the listserv, follow us on social media platforms.
Local health departments and others monitor freshwater swimming safety, especially in lakes.
- Washington State Toxic Algae addresses toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Washington lakes. Check to make sure your lake is safe for swimming.
- Local health jurisdictions monitor some freshwater swimming lakes. The Washington Department of Health maintains a map-based application to find your local health department.
- King County Swimming Beach Monitoring covers marine and freshwater swimming beaches.
- Coastal Atlas public beaches — Search for a beach.
Related links
Contact information
Contact BEACH: Reach BEACH staff, sign up for email notifications, or follow us on social-media platforms.