Water quality is important. When people go swimming, surfing, and snorkeling, they want to be sure the water is clean and safe. The Treasure Coast has many incredible beaches and offers plenty of safe spots with clean water to enjoy every water activity under the sun. Below are some of Florida Health’s Treasure Coast water quality rankings for local cities.
Vero Beach
Vero Beach is a top spot for clean water on the Treasure Coast. Vero Beach has many public beaches, and the water quality at the city’s local beaches has good ratings from the Florida Department of Health. The city’s beaches are regularly tested and often have good ratings. Locals and tourists can feel confident swimming at Wabasso Beach Park, Humiston Beach, Round Island Beach Park, and Jaycee Park. Sexton Plaza Beach had the lowest ratings for water quality in Vero Beach but is still a safe place to swim with good ratings and no advisories. Sexton Plaza received good water quality tests 60-95% of the time.
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is another top spot for clean water on the Treasure Coast. Fort Pierce’s beaches frequently test low for bacteria and other harmful things. Three beaches in Fort Pierce are regularly tested for water quality. They include Pepper Park, Jetty Park Beach, and Frederick Douglass Memorial Park.
Of the three, the top two cleanest beaches are Pepper Park and Frederick Douglass Memorial Park, which receive high marks for low bacteria and good historical water quality. Jaycee Park received poor ratings only to get good ratings just a couple of days later. The beach with the lowest ranking was Jetty Park. Despite its slightly lower rank, the Jetty still offers a safe place to swim. The Jetty is also very popular among surfers because of its consistent waves.
Hobe Sound
Due to its uncrowded beaches, Hobe Sound is ranked third for water quality on the Treasure Coast. The Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge is an excellent and clean place to swim. The spot is away from the noise and crowds and a wonderful “secret beach” on the Treasure Coast. It’s ideal for people who want a beach to themselves, quiet and peaceful in a remote setting.
The beach is beautiful and clean, and it’s also a great place to collect shells. Nature lovers will enjoy the wild plants and vegetation behind the beach, and the landscape is perfect for photography. Hobe Sound’s Public Beach is also a good spot for wading, but the beach is busier than others nearby.
Jensen Beach
Jensen Beach only has two areas that are consistently tested for water quality: Jensen Beach Causeway and Jensen Public Beach. The Jensen Beach Causeway scores high for clean water, with very few bacteria and water quality tests that are passed at least 95% of the time. However, Jensen Public Beach scored lower and has moderate levels of bacteria than other beaches. It was its first subpar reading all year and is still safe with no advisories.
Stuart
Stuart, Florida, is a small-town city and a popular beach destination. The city is known for its incredible beaches and waterfront restaurants, and it has several beaches that are regularly tested for bacteria and other harmful substances. The testing locations include South Beach Causeway, Stuart Beach, Roosevelt Bridge, Sandsprit Park, Stuart Causeway, and Bathtub Beach.
Stuart’s most popular beaches to the public are the Stuart Causeway and Stuart Beach. Bathtub Beach is also a top spot with clean, safe water. However, Bathtub Beach is undergoing renovations and is not regularly open to the public. South Beach Causeway has low bacteria and passes water quality tests consistently.
The two areas in Stuart with the historically lowest water quality are the Roosevelt Bridge and Sandsprit Park. Roosevelt Bridge had the highest bacteria levels for swimming, and in early 2024, the health department warned locals and tourists to avoid it. Although a bacteria advisory was placed on the Roosevelt Bridge area, the latest readings were good.
Palm City
In Palm City, Leighton Park regularly has its waters tested. Although the waters at the park have a good rating and are considered safe, they rank lower than others on the list. The average beach, marina, or fishing pier on the Treasure Coast has ten enterococcus bacteria per 100 ml of marine water. Leighton Park, on average, has 31 enterococcus per 100 ml of marine water. Due to its higher bacteria count, the park has undergone water safety advisories in the past.
In early 2024, local Palm City officials advised against entering the waters of Leighton Park. The bacteria levels in the park at the time exceeded the level established by state guidelines. The park was closed a second time in 2024 after a bacteria sample during regular water quality monitoring showed elevated levels that could harm people.
Jupiter
Jupiter ranks high for some of the clearest waters in the nation. Southern Living Magazine gave the city accolades for having some of the most beautiful water in Florida. According to the magazine, Jupiter’s waters are just as wonderful as the Caribbean. Although the waters are clear and beautiful, Jupiter can sometimes rank lower in water quality due to elevated bacteria levels in two of its most popular beaches.
On average, Jupiter Beach Park’s water quality has had 52 enterococcus bacteria per 100 ml of marine water, which means the beach’s water quality is moderate. Its latest readings have been good. Dubois Park resulted in better water quality and the historical water quality meets standards a majority of the time. Carlin Park had the best water in Jupiter but still didn’t score as high as some beaches to the north along the Treasure Coast.
Photo: Greg Panas
How to Stay Safe in the Water & Enjoy the Treasure Coast
Fortunately, the waters along the Treasure Coast are usually very clean and safe for activities. However, if there is an advisory, or if you’re traveling somewhere that has poor water quality rankings, it’s good to know how to stay safe. When waters have high levels of bacteria, swimmers are at an increased risk of illness.
Swimming in unclean water can cause many symptoms, including an upset stomach, eye irritation, skin rashes, and diarrhea. There are many reasons why some beaches have cleaner waters than others. Various factors, including stormwater runoff, human sewage, pets, seasonality, and wildlife, can cause harmful bacteria to affect the water.
The Florida Department of Health and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regularly tests the waters across the state to help locals and tourists stay safe before they head out. People can take several extra precautions to ensure they have a safe and fun day at the beach and enjoy water activities.
Look for advisory signs. Martin and Indian River County actively manage the safety of beachgoers and post advisory signs at non-guarded beaches. An advisory sign can provide information on any potential dangers, from rip currents, slippery rocks, dangerous shore breaks, and issues with water quality.
Many people who love to enjoy salt water can also get anxious if swallowing it when swimming. If you accidentally swallow a bit of ocean water in small quantities, the water is unlikely to have an effect. However, water can still contain contaminants, so it’s better to refrain from drinking it. If you want to check water quality around you, you can look at the interactive map to find nearby beaches and waterways.
Report algae blooms if you see them. Algae blooms can be of various colors, including blue, bright green, red, or brown. They usually also have a strong odor. If you see an algae bloom, avoid contact with the bloom and stay out of the water. It’s also helpful to report the algae bloom sighting to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by calling 844-305-3903.
