America's 7 Most Polluted Beaches As Of 2024 (2024)

Not only is America dotted with otherworldly mountain vistas, cascading waterfalls, towering canyons, glistening lakes, and meandering rivers, but it's also blessed with beautiful beaches. Florida, California, and Hawaii are just some of the best destinations for travelers searching for gorgeous beaches in the US.

With summer already in full swing, this also means it's beach season in the USA. Of course, many beachgoers are gearing up for ice cream cones, flip-flops, tie-die days, and all things summer flings. While these sound like a thrill, it's also important that the beach destination is clean and safe for everyone and the generations to come. Unfortunately, some of them are not safe or clean due to pollution.

However, the world is filled with beautiful souls, such as Greenpeace International, which coordinates with other volunteers to educate people on the importance of clean oceans, rivers, lakes, and beaches. These volunteers and groups work together to help the bodies of water recover from such toxic chemicals and waste, including high levels of fecal coliform. Irresponsible waste management, the greed of businesses, and unregulated tourism are three of the massive threats to killing this planet. Sadly, these are caused by humans, and they affect the beaches of the USA, too.

Despite the extended efforts of many groups and volunteers, the world is still dotted with many dirty beaches and oceans, and the US hasn't escaped, either. In 2023, California's Avalon Beach was one of the dirtiest beaches in America. Fortunately, this year, Avalon Beach is no longer part of the top ten most polluted beaches in the US. Still, California remains on the list, with Imperial Beach topping the top 10 dirtiest beaches in the country, alongside Hawaii's Nāwiliwili Stream.

The Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting the oceans and beaches, and its Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) recently conducted water quality tests at its labs and sampling sites, measuring bacteria levels to determine the hazards of using these beaches for recreational use. According to the latest Surfrider's clean-water report, the beaches on the East Coast, West Coast, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii are among the most polluted beaches in America. To put it simply, you can't swim on these beaches without risking getting sick.

Take a look at some of the most polluted beaches in America in 2024 and see what you can contribute to helping these destinations heal from the harmful effects of the high levels of bacteria found in the waters.

7 Flying Point: Mecox Bay — Southampton, New York

Bacteria rate: 46%

Mecox Bay, New York

Located where Mecox Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Flying Point is a gorgeous beach destination for New Yorkers. White-sand beaches and scenic sand dunes with many species of birds dot the area, and these are among the reasons why it's also one of the best beaches to visit on Long Island, which is also filled with many other beautiful places to visit.

However, Flying Point turned out to be one of the most polluted beaches in America this year, with a high level of bacteria at 46%, which means it's unsafe for recreational use. Fortunately, the local government has been steadfast in its efforts to solve this problem. Flying Point has now started to be cleared of hazards.

6 South Sound Thea Foss Floating Dock — Tacoma, Washington

Bacteria rate: 47%

South Sound Thea Foss Floating Dock is a seaport museum nestled in Tacoma, a low-key alternative to Seattle and the birthplace of glass art. Thea Foss Seaport itself is culturally and historically rich, preserving the maritime heritage of Tacoma and the Puget Sound Region with art displays, permanent and temporary exhibits, a beautiful wooden boat shop, kid-friendly features, and a functional dock.

Named after Thea Christiansen Foss, the founder of the largest tugboat company in the western US, known as Foss Maritime, the seaport has attracted many families and travelers for its unique waterfront features. However, the floating dock itself is unsafe, as it's also contaminated with pollutants that cause harm in its waterway, which is part of Commencement Bay.

On the plus side, the City of Tacoma has been extending its efforts for many years to clean up its waterways, particularly the Thea Foss Waterway.

5 Linda Mar Beach — Pacifica, California

Bacteria rate: 54%

One of the largest beaches in Pacifica, Linda Mar Beach is a surfing haven for many beginners in the San Francisco area. Officially known as Pacifica State Beach, Linda Mar's waters were tested to be contaminated with a high bacteria rate of 54%, making it unsafe for recreational use, especially for surfers and beachgoers flocking to the area.

Pacifica, an underrated but scenic small-town alternative to San Francisco, has been graced by volunteers who have been hard at work in their beach cleanup efforts and campaigns, which will help Linda Mar Beach recover from all the hazards. Of course, Linda Mar deserves these efforts, especially since it's a popular beach destination for families with small children.

4 Park View Island Kayak Launch — Miami Beach, Florida

Bacteria rate: 73%

Park View Island, Miami Beach, Florida

The water pollution on Park View Island in Miami Beach, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, has been a headache for locals and environmental groups for many years. In the recent test that the Surfrider Foundation conducted, the kayak launch area of Park View Island hit a 73% bacteria rate, which is toxic enough for people and animals, particularly marine life.

One of the underlying issues in the area's contaminated waters is the city's old and deteriorating pipes, which are vulnerable to sewage spills. In 2020, a sewage spill on Lincoln Road fractured the city's sewer main, causing a continuous issue in the area, especially on Parkview Island. Miami Beach is one of the best parts of Florida to visit, but sewerage woes shouldn't have to be a threat to its waters.

3 Kahalu’u — Oahu, Hawaii

Bacteria rate: 86%

Kahalu’u is chronically polluted, and the Surfrider Foundation has been testing the waters in the area to see if the bacteria rate has toned down. Sadly, it's becoming a trend for Kahalu’u, bearing a high bacteria rate of 86% with a huge presence of enterococcus, which indicates fecal bacteria, as well as disease-causing pathogens—all these make humans and animals sick.

Cesspools are a major pollutant on Kahalu'u, causing massive sewage leaks into the ocean—a chronic problem in the area. Lawmakers have been looking into banning cesspools by 2050, which is more than two decades from now. But they're also thinking about imposing a cesspool pollution fee and are trying to convince homeowners to replace their cesspools with a septic system.

Located on Oahu, Hawaii's most popular island, Kahalu'u in Hawaiian means "diving place," hugging the coastline along Kaneohe Bay, which is a good spot for snorkeling, diving, and other watersports activities.

2 Nāwiliwili Stream At Kalapakī Bay — Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii

Bacteria rate: 100%

At a staggering 100% bacteria rate, Nāwiliwili Stream at Kalapakī Bay has failed the water test again since the Surfrider Foundation started its water testing efforts in the area in 2016. Just like Kahalu’u, the Nāwiliwili Stream is another victim of Hawaii's, particularly Kaua’i's, thousands of cesspools, which eventually leak into waterways and oceans, poisoning the beaches.

The Nāwiliwili Stream is located in Kaua’i, which is known for its lush forests, beautiful waterfalls, and gorgeous beaches—and one of the most relaxing things to do in Kaua’i is lounging on the beach while enjoying the warm Hawaiian sun. The high presence of enterococcus, though, is one big issue that travelers must consider.

1 Imperial Beach — California

Bacteria rate: 100%

Known for its almost four miles of uncrowded white-sand beaches and big waves, Imperial Beach is a beautiful destination for travelers seeking a relaxed beach escape. However, the recent water test result that the Surfrider Foundation discovered broke the hearts of many beachgoers and locals.

At a 100% bacteria rate, it's clear that the city's beaches are unsafe for humans and animals, including its marine life. It turned out that Imperial Beach is suffering from a failing sewage system, which is now being worked on by the city government, with initiatives such as the rehabilitation and expansion of the International Wastewater Treatment Plant and the replacement of the Punta Bandera plant.